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Rugby club's 'sexist' post is disgusting, say locals

Catriona Aitken
BBC News
Meleri Williams
BBC News
Reporting fromNeath
Kirsty Ellis said Neath RFC's post was "disgusting" and made her ashamed of men in the area

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 later.

The 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".

A rugby pitch with red and blue spectator stands along the left hand side
Historic rugby club Neath RFC has played at the Gnoll ground since the 1870s - and a young all-female team also now train there

Disappointment and anger was expressed by many people shopping in the town on Tuesday, but former Neath and Wales fullback Paul Thorburn defended the post, saying there was no "malice".

"I honestly think there was no intention to stir up any issues or be provocative in any way," he said.

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.

A girl with long died red hair and glasses, wearing a grey hoody with Brooklyn written on it in black letters and smiling at the camera. Next to her is another girl with long reddish-brown hair and nose piercings, wearing a black jumper and black jacket and smiling at the camera. Behind them is a shopping street.
Emily and Kitti, both 16 from Neath, disapproved of the club's decision to use the "not for girls" slogan

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 said.

The 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 GMT.

Commenters 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 one.

Another 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 club.

Neath 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 years.

Its 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 council.

In 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.