Latest news with #Llangennech
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Neath RFC: Residents react to 'not for girls' event post
Residents in the community where a rugby club has come under fire for using a "not for girls" event slogan have branded the move "rude and sexist".Neath RFC posted to social media on Monday, promoting its upcoming derby against Llangennech and describing it as "definitely NOT FOR GIRLS."The post was widely condemned by sportspeople and members of the local community, and was deleted a few hours club subsequently posted a second message which suggested the post was intended to grab attention and promote discussion, adding it apologised for "any confusion or upset caused". In the original post, the "Friday night under the lights" event, which is due to take place on 28 March at the Gnoll ground, was further described as "no frills, no apologies, just brutal, old-school, Friday night rugby at its finest".The club wrote: "This one isn't for the faint-hearted. This one isn't for the half-committed. This one is definitely NOT FOR GIRLS."In a lengthy explanation afterwards, the club said they wanted to provoke debate and challenge misconceptions about women's rugby. Reacting to the post, Emily, from Neath, said the sentiment was "rude" and "sexist".The 16-year-old added: "It's just provocative. It's promoting the wrong attention, not the right thing to do."Kitti, also 16 and from Neath, added: "If there were young people growing up and they see that they will think they are not allowed to [play rugby]". Kirsty Ellis, another shopper in Neath on Tuesday, said the post suggested the club was "scared of girls"."It's disgusting, it's sexually discriminating," she 53-year-old added: "It makes me ashamed to know any of the men in Neath and the surrounding area, if they think so little of women that they don't think women can play rugby."Shaun Evans, 24, also from Neath, said he did not think the post was "fair"."It's 2025. I think we have moved on," he said."It's not a good look." The post quickly gained hundreds of comments - with many parents and supporters expressing disappointment - and was deleted about 21:00 accused the club of sexism, called for an apology, and even said they would not be continuing to attend matches at the club going forward."As a parent of a Neath Panthers player who has done nothing but support the club, I find this post very disappointing and very insulting to our girls," said added: "Disappointed in this 'not for girls' marketing approach. Really shocking considering all those female players in your area."Prominent sportspeople also took to social media to condemn the post, with Tonia Antoniazzi - Labour MP for Gower and a former Wales international - describing it as "disappointing for a club with such a great history and legacy which has inspired so many women and girls to want to play".Neath Panthers an all-female Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) hub, aimed at young players aged six to 18, is also based at the RFC club owner Matty Young issued an apology on Tuesday and said he took "full ownership as the club owner and author of the post"."The idea from the start was to shine a light on the casual misogyny that still exists in parts of rugby and, more importantly, to champion the incredible women and girls' rugby players who represent our club with passion, skill, and dedication," he said."I now recognise that the initial post did not effectively convey this message, and for that, I am sorry. Neath RFC, one of Wales' oldest rugby clubs, were once one of the top Welsh sides, but have had a tumultuous journey in more recent former players include former Wales outside half Jonathan Davies, winger Shane Williams and second row Gareth Llewellyn. In 2012, the club fought off a winding-up order from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over unpaid tax after settling the debt, and in 2014 it faced a winding-up petition over unpaid business rates owed to Neath Port Talbot 2016, supporters asked the Welsh Rugby Union to intervene in the ownership of the club and, in 2018, it faced another winding-up petition in court, which was later dismissed, following the collapse of the club's owner Mike Cuddy's construction business Cuddy Group.
Sky News
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Sky News
Neath rugby club issue apology after 'not for girls' social media post
Why you can trust Sky News A rugby club have apologised for a social media post which stated an upcoming match was "not for girls". Neath RFC faced criticism over a post advertising its fixture against Llangennech later this month as "definitely NOT FOR GIRLS". The post, which has now been deleted, was accompanied by a graphic which also bore the slogan. Neath plays in the Indigo Premiership, the highest tier of Welsh club rugby. Labour MP for Gower, Tonia Antoniazzi, said she wanted to see the post "taken down with an apology". "Disappointing for a club with such a great history and legacy which has inspired so many women and girls to want to play," she said. Meanwhile, former Wales rugby union captain Siwan Lillicrap said it was "shameful and disgraceful". In a post on X on Monday evening, which has also since been deleted, a club spokesperson said: "Forget the noise. Forget the outrage. Let's talk about real change." It went on to say that its campaign was "designed to provoke debate" but the club understood "it may have caused confusion and upset for some". But in a further statement on Tuesday, club owner Matty Young said he "sincerely" apologised for any offence caused. "That was never my intention and in no way reflects any attitudes within Neath RFC. I take full ownership as the club owner and author of the post," he added. "The idea from the start was to shine a light on the casual misogyny that still exists in parts of rugby and, more importantly, to champion the incredible women and girls' rugby players who represent our club with passion, skill, and dedication. "I now recognise that the initial post did not effectively convey this message, and for that, I am sorry." In light of the response, Mr Young said the club would delay the release of its intended follow-up videos "to take the time to reflect, listen, and ensure that we are delivering the right message in a way that fully aligns with our values".
Telegraph
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Welsh rugby club investigated after advertising derby match ‘not for girls'
A Welsh rugby club has come under fire for its 'ignorant, unacceptable and inappropriate' promotion of a Welsh Premiership fixture which it claimed was 'definitely not for girls.' Neath RFC sparked a furious backlash from former Welsh internationals and politicians after using the controversial slogan in a social media post to advertise their upcoming derby with Llangennech later this month. The incendiary post was deleted within hours of being published on Monday evening and included the hashtag #NotForGirls. It read: 'The new West Wales Derby. Friday night under the lights. This one isn't for the faint hearted. This one isn't for the half-committed. This one is definitely NOT FOR GIRLS.' A graphic accompanying the post also had 'not for girls' bolded up in pink capital letters, which provoked a scathing reaction from former Wales women players. Siwan Lillicrap, the former Wales captain and current Wales under-18 head coach, wrote on X: 'I can't believe my eyes – shame on you @neathrfc! Ignorant, unacceptable and inappropriate.' Tonia Antoniazzi, the Labour MP for Gower and former Wales international, wrote on social media: 'Disappointing for a club with such a great history and legacy which has inspired so many women and girls to want to play the game and have played!' Lowri Norkett-Morgan, the former Wales wing, also condemned the club's ill-fated marketing attempt, branding it 'absolutely disgusting'. Wales international Cerys Hale also weighed in, saying: 'Who the hell thought this type of marketing was acceptable? Absolutely appalling from Neath RFC, I hope anyone associated are [sic] completely embarrassed. If anyone questioned why we feel the need to shout about equality.' The Wales Rugby Union, who are said to be investigating what happened, spotted the post within hours of it being published on Monday evening and instructed the Premiership side to take it down. A Welsh Rugby Union spokesperson said: 'We asked Neath to remove the post as soon as possible and of course do not condone the sentiment it contained.' In a repost that has since been deleted, Llangennech quoted the controversial post with the message: 'Fixture update. Friday night lights at The Gnoll!' 'Forget the noise' Neath subsequently posed a lengthy follow-up message in which the club seemed to suggest that women had been involved in the promotion of the club's fixture. 'Now that we have your attention… Forget the noise. Forget the outrage. Let's talk about real change,' the club wrote in a statement on X. The club went on to say that 'women aren't just involved in Neath RFC – they are essential to its success' before detailing its successful women and girls section. One of the fastest-growing and most important parts of Neath RFC is the Neath Panthers –our thriving women's and girl's rugby set-up. 'They play a vital role in the future of our club, showcasing their skill, passion, and determination – the very qualities that define the future of Welsh rugby.'
BBC News
10-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Neath condemned for using 'not for girls' slogan
Neath RFC have been condemned for promoting their upcoming Premiership fixture with Llangennech using the slogan "this one is definitely not for girls".The Welsh All Blacks host their local rivals at The Gnoll on Friday, 28 March and promoted the match on their main X post included the hashtag '#NotForGirls' and ended with the message: "Stay tuned… Not everything is as it seems."Neath were blasted on social media, with former Wales captain and current Wales Under-18s head coach Siwan Lillicrap, external writing on X: "I can't believe my eyes - shame on you @neathrfc! Ignorant, unacceptable and inappropriate."Tonia Antoniazzi, external, Labour MP for Gower, wrote on social media: "Disappointing for a club with such a great history and legacy which has inspired so many women and girls to want to play and have played! "Be good to see it taken down with an apology @neathrfc."Wales international Cerys Hale, external wrote: "Well at least the comments section has given me some hope!"Who the hell thought this type of marketing was acceptable?! Absolutely appalling from Neath RFC, I hope anyone associated are completely embarrassed."If anyone questioned why we feel the need to shout about equality."And former Wales wing Lowri Norkett-Morgan, external posted: "Absolutely disgusting@neathrfc. All those girls at @NeathPanthers not welcome in their own club. Shame on you." The post, originally published at 18:04 GMT on Monday, was deleted shortly after 21:00 also read: "The new West Wales derby. Friday night under the lights."No frills. No apologies. Just brutal, old-school, Friday night rugby at its finest. "This is where the bravehearts step up, rivalries ignite, and the hits shake the ground. If you crave passion, grit, and raw intensity, this is where you belong."A graphic accompanying the post also included the message "not for girls".Llangennech quoted the controversial post with the message: "Fixture update. Friday night lights at The Gnoll!" The repost has since been Sport Wales has approached Neath RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union for comment.
