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'There's work to do': RFU appoints head of diversity and inclusion
The RFU has appointed its first head of diversity and inclusion, bringing in Jatin Patel with the aim of evolving and driving strategy across the four strategic pillars of gameplay, fans/followers/partners, employee and board and game leadership via multi-year action plans, key events, ongoing awareness and education and advocacy for positive change.
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As an inclusion, diversity, social equality and advocacy professional, Patel has experience working across the private and charity sectors - most recently with the international law firm, DLA Piper – with specific expertise in social and racial equality, communication campaigns and public and organisational policy.
Sue Day, the RFU COO/CFO and executive lead for diversity and inclusion, said: “We are pleased to welcome Jatin as the RFU’s first head of diversity and inclusion. His appointment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to increasing diversity in our sport and ensuring it is open and inclusive to all.
“The RFU has a clear strategic objective to drive rugby union in England to reflect the diversity of society and we will be able to draw on Jatin’s wealth of experience in realising our aims.”
Patel added: “I’m delighted to have joined the RFU and will be supporting all areas of the organisation and the game in becoming more inclusive, making the most of the talent we have and could have, to ensure we create an environment that allows people to feel that rugby is open to them.
ICYMI: Ellis Genge on whose advice he sounds out most – “I wouldn’t say I will have one mentor throughout my whole career. Kyle Traynor gives me advice. Danny Cipriani has given me advice… I speak to Joe Marler a lot. I speak to Kyle Sinckler a lot.”https://t.co/t0vJOxSIfg
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 11, 2020
“I was introduced to the game at school and continued playing socially through to university. The values of the game, particularly respect and enjoyment, have stuck with me and I believe it is in promoting and extending these values that the RFU can expand on the work to date and drive rugby towards becoming more inclusive. There is work to do, but there is a solid foundation to go forward from and I am looking forward to getting stuck in.”
After publishing the RFU’s diversity and inclusion action plan in June the RFU council and its nominations committee ran a recruitment process to co-opt four new members on to the council to bring greater diversity into its ranks and build a more inclusive culture within the game’s leadership, as prioritised in the plan.
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The newly appointed co-opted members are Garnet Mackinder, Roxy Fearon, Yemi Gbajobi and Matthew Webb. They have been co-opted to the council for a fixed term until July 31, 2023. The recruitment process attracted interest from over 70 candidates and the RFU council intends to ask them to consider other roles within the game.
- Click here for the RFU’s diversity and inclusion action plan
Comments on RugbyPass
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
2 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
1 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
6 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
2 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
6 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
6 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to comments