Mon, June 6, 2022,
New Zealand Rugby publicly apologised on Tuesday to Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, whose criticism of the environment in the women's national team led to a scathing review and overhaul of its coaching staff.
The experienced hooker had accused management of overseeing a culture that failed to support player wellbeing on their unsuccessful tour of Europe last year, during which she said she suffered a mental breakdown.
The 30-year-old's social media post in December highlighting her treatment -- including accusations that coach Glenn Moore made disparaging remarks to her -- sparked an independent review.
The review backed up Ngata-Aerengamate's claims and found staff made culturally insensitive comments to the country's top players and indulged in favouritism and body-shaming.
Moore stood down in April, within a week of the review's release, and was replaced by former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith, six months out from the World Cup being staged in New Zealand.
NZR had previously accepted the review's findings and apologised privately to Ngata-Aerengamate.
But in a statement on Tuesday it said that it was important to say sorry again, publicly, coinciding with the resolution of mediation between the player, NZR and Moore.
"NZR now wishes to repeat that apology... and reiterates its commitment to ensuring Te Kura receives the appropriate mental wellbeing and training support required to help her continued recovery."
Ngata-Aerengamate accepted the apology via a social media post, saying the fallout from the tour had been "emotional" but the Black Ferns and women's rugby would benefit from the action taken.
"NZR thank you for engaging and acting; together we got there," she said.
"I'm on the mend, enjoying my footy again with a free spirit."
dgi/pst
Rugby-New Zealand apologises to player for wellbeing 'failings'
(Reuters) -New Zealand Rugby has issued a public apology to Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate more than six months after the national women's hooker complained of suffering a mental breakdown following alleged criticism from her former coach Glenn Moore.
© Reuters/ANDREW BOYERS Women's International - England v New Zealand
A social media post by Te Kura in December triggered an independent cultural review which found New Zealand Rugby (NZR) had failed to sufficiently support the women's high-performance programme.
NZR said on Tuesday it had concluded a "mediated restorative process" with Te Kura.
"NZR has formally apologised directly to Te Kura and her whanau (family) for the experiences that led to a decline in hauora (wellbeing) for her.
"NZR has taken responsibility for the systemic failings that led to this decline."
Long-serving Black Ferns coach Moore was originally part of the mediation process but resigned while it was ongoing, saying he did not agree with "misleading allegations" made against him by Te Kura.
Wayne Smith and Graham Henry, who guided the All Blacks to a men's World Cup triumph on home soil in 2011, have since joined the Blacks Ferns coaching team.
Te Kura thanked NZR on social media for "engaging and acting".
"Together we got there," she wrote. "I'm on the mend, enjoying my footy again with a free spirit ... Free to be me - stand up, speak up, know your worth."
NZR said it was committed to ensuring Te Kura received the appropriate "mental wellbeing and training support" to help her with her recovery.
"NZR further reiterates its acceptance of the Review's recommendations ... and to ensuring that the Black Ferns will strive to deliver a performance culture and environment that is safe and rewarding for all."
The Black Ferns began their preparations for hosting the Women's World Cup with a 23-10 win over Australia in the Pacific Four tournament at Tauranga Domain on Monday.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
A social media post by Te Kura in December triggered an independent cultural review which found New Zealand Rugby (NZR) had failed to sufficiently support the women's high-performance programme.
NZR said on Tuesday it had concluded a "mediated restorative process" with Te Kura.
"NZR has formally apologised directly to Te Kura and her whanau (family) for the experiences that led to a decline in hauora (wellbeing) for her.
"NZR has taken responsibility for the systemic failings that led to this decline."
Long-serving Black Ferns coach Moore was originally part of the mediation process but resigned while it was ongoing, saying he did not agree with "misleading allegations" made against him by Te Kura.
Wayne Smith and Graham Henry, who guided the All Blacks to a men's World Cup triumph on home soil in 2011, have since joined the Blacks Ferns coaching team.
Te Kura thanked NZR on social media for "engaging and acting".
"Together we got there," she wrote. "I'm on the mend, enjoying my footy again with a free spirit ... Free to be me - stand up, speak up, know your worth."
NZR said it was committed to ensuring Te Kura received the appropriate "mental wellbeing and training support" to help her with her recovery.
"NZR further reiterates its acceptance of the Review's recommendations ... and to ensuring that the Black Ferns will strive to deliver a performance culture and environment that is safe and rewarding for all."
The Black Ferns began their preparations for hosting the Women's World Cup with a 23-10 win over Australia in the Pacific Four tournament at Tauranga Domain on Monday.
(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
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