More than 7,000 sign petition calling for a rebrand of the WRU crest
Phoebe Williams
More than 7000 people have signed a petition calling for a rebrand of the Welsh Rugby Union logo.
Trystan Gruffydd, who launched the petition, claims the three white feathers aren’t “embraced by everyone in Wales and supporters of Welsh rugby.”
Instead, Mr Gruffydd, along with many others, believe that the WRU emblem should be the Red Dragon or even the Welsh Leek.
The rebrand call comes as a recent BBC Wales investigation revealed accusations of bullying, sexism, and sexual misconduct towards women in the WRU. The chief executive Steve Phillips resigned less than a week after the programme aired. Nigel Walker, who is currently the Acting Chief Executive, says: “We must now listen intently to what people from outside our organisation are telling us”.
Mr Gruffydd’s petition reads: ‘Following the shocking allegations of sexism, misogyny, racism, homophobia and other inappropriate language used by some staff at the Welsh Rugby Union, the organisation’s reputation is now in tatters. The urgent priority of the WRU should obviously be to make the organisation a safe place to work and free from sexism, racism and homophobia.
‘Achieving this, the WRU should be rebranded with a more politically neutral emblem that properly represents everyone in Wales, such as the Welsh dragon (or other Welsh symbol such as a leek).
‘The feathers have absolutely no connection with the last princes of Wales, Llywelyn and Owain Glyndwr. The feathers were first used by Englishman “Edward the Black Prince” and other English (then British) heir apparents with no genuine connection to Wales whatsoever. It is not an emblem that is embraced by everyone in Wales and supporters of Welsh rugby.
‘Hopefully, the taskforce set up by chair Ieuan Evans addresses the problems within the WRU, and this is as good a time as any for the WRU to reset and rebrand.’
Identity
One of those in favour of the change is Lee Waunfawr from Newport. He explained why he signed the petition and why others should do so too.
“I’ve been a fan of rugby since I was just a teen, and I’ve always felt very strongly about my Welsh identity – the current symbol is outdated and very monarchist, which I think is a dead idea, especially to Wales
“Everyone recognises the WRU, we need something with a strong Welsh identity, like the Dragon or the leek. Rugby is engrained in the Welsh psyche, but the emblem isn’t truly Welsh? Now is the pivotal point to strengthen Welsh identity, and it’s important we show how wonderful Wales is.”
The WRU has had the same logo since it was formed in 1881.
Back in October 2021 Yes Cymru revealed three new alternative designs for the Welsh Rugby Union crest – that ditched the Prince of Wales three feathers.
The independence group issued the designs, which they believed were more ‘Welsh’ as opposed to a symbol of the British monarchy.
Welsh Independence group YesCymru has created three new alternative crests for the Welsh Rugby Union that ditches the Prince Of Wales feathers for something more “Welsh” as opposed to a symbol of the British Monarchy – what do you think? pic.twitter.com/eWjgglK1vf
— Rucked Magazine (@rucked_mag) October 29, 2021
Trystan Gruffydd says he hopes that once the petition reaches 7500 signatures, the WRU Chairman, Ieuan Evans, will acknowledge the call for change.
You can view and sign the petition HERE
Phoebe Williams is a trainee journalist at @CardiffJomec
You can follow Phoebe on Twitter – @phoebegwilliams
READ MORE
WRU bans Delilah from its Principality Stadium ahead of Six Nations match
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
I can’t open this link to the petition – can anyone else?
Or has Ieuan put the kybosh on it already?!
I can’t open it either. Go to Change.org.
Oops! That’s been fixed now. Or you can click here https://www.change.org/p/welsh-rugby-union-rebrand-the-wru-emblem-to-a-welsh-dragon
Copy the link – It’ll be the first post on the google page.
WRU won’t change. Too many gong -hunters working there, well not working much but drawing a decent pay.
If we are to stop this POW joke – getting rid of those three feathers has got to be one of the first steps. Enough of the humiliation.
As far as I can determine the three feathers badge isn’t attached to the Prince of Wales (POW) title but to the title of Duke of Cornwall(DOC). The DOC title isn’t bestowed but is automatically taken on by the Heir Apparent to the Throne of England (HATE)when the previous HATE automatically becomes monarch on the previous monarch’s death. It’s traditional in the world of rugby for nations to play under the national emblem of their country. For us the national emblem is the leek. Ditch the HATE feathers but it would be another mistake to chose any replacement other than… Read more »
The WRU will go through a cosmetic change but many of the old Loyalist blazers will still be there wielding power, but in a less visible form. You can guarantee they they will remain wedded to the Three Feathers and will be gushing over the English Royals.
WRU are Royalists to the core, on the same level of that other Royalist institution Glamorgan cricket club.Take more than a petition to change either of them.Kow towing to William turns my stomach.
Why? The badge comes from the ancient British Awen Symbol! Which is considerably for older than the use of it by the Germans and French!
It looks as though 6 people don’t even know their own countries history! Hahaha!
The sensible decision would be to use the same logo as on the official Wales Rugby League shirt which has a dragon.
I’ve just read that Arthur had Caernarfon or Caergybi as his first choice for his brewery…
“The Three Feathers are an iconic part of Welsh rugby who cares who they belonged to”
They continue to belong to the Heir Apparent to the Throne of England aka Duke of Cornwall. The WRU use them with his (at the moment Prince William’s) “permission” as does every butcher, baker and candlestick maker who has those three ostrich feathers on their van or shop.
Unlike our national emblem, the leek which can be used by anyone without any royal say so to promote their interests.