The IRFU has apologised again for the issues that led to teams in the Vodafone Women’s Interpro’s having to change in unsuitable temporary facilities at Energia Park last month.

A detailed review, undertaken by IRFU Legal Counsel, Sean Brassil, has found that while difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic were significant, they were not determining factors in causing teams to be set up in the wrong area of the stadium resulting in inadequate and unacceptable facilities for the teams on the day.

Each of the four team captains were interviewed for the report, and detailed explanations were provided from each of the provinces as to how the situation arose.

Ultimately the issue stemmed from ambiguity as to responsibility for the organisation of the final weekend of fixtures for the series. This created
knock-on confusion as to some of the operational and logistical elements of the event planning on the day.

We highlighted at the time the area that should have been used, and the one just around a corner but less visible to the public, that the teams were sent to get changed in.

Because of Covid and the non-recognition of the Series as within the ‘elite’ category, teams were not permitted to use indoor dressing rooms.

The report indicates that there was a lack of personnel and resources on the ground to properly manage the weekend fixtures.

It is one thing to determine what went wrong but the report also highlights a number of specific recommendations that will be implemented for future tournaments.

These will ensure that a minimum standard of facilities will be made available and that the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder must be identified in advance. Improvement in the sharing of information and the establishment of clear reporting lines should be a priority and there will be the establishment of a complaint escalation procedure.

Additional training and support should be provided to event and facilities management staff and volunteers.

To empower the voice of players, a dedicated Female Liaison Officer should be appointed by the Provincial branches to support and assist players to deal confidentially with any issues they may have in relation to facilities with appropriate authority to address any issues that arise.

Ultimately, these recommendations will lead to the appointment by the IRFU of a single point of responsibility for the delivery of appropriate structures for the women’s interprovincial championships in the future.

“Everyone was appalled by the conditions the players had to endure,” said IRFU CEO Philip Browne.

“From the moment we became aware of the issues we apologised on behalf of all involved and resolved to ensure this would not happen again, I want to strongly echo that commitment once again today.”

“A significant amount of work went into the delivery of what was a highly entertaining Interpro series. However, a series of errors has overshadowed the games, we all take responsibility for such failings and vow to do better by implementing the recommendations of this review.”

 

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