Petition calling for a rebrand of the WRU crest passes 10,000 signatures
A petition calling for a rebrand of the Welsh Rugby Union logo has passed 10,000 signatures.
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 petition was launched following a BBC Wales investigation revealed accusations of bullying, sexism, and sexual misconduct towards women in the WRU, with then chief executive Steve Phillips resigning less than a week after the programme aired.
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… this is as good a time as any for the WRU to reset and rebrand.’
Identity
One of those in favour of the change was 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of rugby since I was just a teen, and I’ve always felt very strongly about my Welsh identity – the current symbol is outdated and very monarchist, which I think is a dead idea, especially to Wales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
You can view and sign the petition HERE
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What,change the logo and upset the royal family, the patrons of the WRU, they could never be seen at HQ ever again. This is who yes Cymru are dealing with. Several years ago the RFU hit financial trouble and laid off over 100 staff, to save money, unable to keep mens/womens 15 teams and men 7s team, they came up with a plan. Get Scotland and Cymru to help fund a GB 7’s team, base the team in England, with the English coaching staff and use the money saved to give full time contracts to the womens 15. Cymru and… Read more »
The three feathers is the badge of the heir apparent to the Throne of England whether or not they are Prince of Wales so could still be used if the heir was not invested. He would still be Duke of Cornwall. A good compromise would be a leek with the leaves arranged in a similar fleur de lys pattern.
Not only should we rebrand the Wales shirt by remove the German emblem “Three Feathers ” and motto “Ich Dien” replacing both with a more fitting symbolism. But we should go further. We must also abolish also the title Prince & Princess of Wales. Who can forget Prince William supporting England over Wales in football even though in the same tournament, who also when Wales won the Six Nations Rugby Grand Slam looked disinterested when captain Alun Wyn Jones raised the trophy to fans applause, this in sharp comparison when he was pictured with his children at Twickenham a few… Read more »
I completely agree with you!
It was so good seeing our great Prince of Whales 🐳 supporting our national football team 🏴 yesterday v Denmark 🇩🇰
You are spot on there, it makes the sycophants at the WRU look like grovelling toadies, to see their patron support their biggest sporting rival. Embarrassing.
Get rid of those feathers
This has taken years to reach 10,000 signatures. It isn’t really indicating a strong desire for change.
Also, irrespective of whether you agree or not, having YesCymru involved immediately undermines the idea that this is an apolitical move. I think a lot of people would be disappointed if it wasn’t political.
If it was just a few irrelevant feathers representing that the son of that long dead bloke who settled here, didn’t amount to much but instead left us with some lovely castles then I don’t think it would be so charged.
I’ve always hated the three feathers and they have to go.
My preference would be the example logo of the article, y Ddraig Goch.
Agreed … how do I sign
Why? The Three feathers isn’t Germanic at all, it is the Awen Symbol. This was taken to Europe in the 300s and when France was founded it became a national symbol under Clovis (He wasn’t a Frank) and eventually came to be known as the Fluer De-lis. Why are we so illiterate about our own nations history?!
“Symbol of the British monarchy”. Tell me you know next to nothing about the history of Wales and Britain without actually telling me! Let’s not forget that the UK state came about because of a traitor from Wales and Scotland. It’s the English monarchy, not British. No British monarchy has existed since 1415!