Statement from the Smiths Rugby Committee

Smiths Rugby stands firmly alongside our players following an incident during Saturday’s fixture against Chosen Hill Former Pupils RFC, in which members of our club were subjected to racist abuse and deeply offensive personal insults from opposition supporters.

Our first priority is the wellbeing of those affected. We want every player, member and their family to know that they have the full and unwavering support of our club.

Smiths Rugby has always prided itself on being a friendly, welcoming and inclusive club, built on friendship, mutual respect and a shared love of the game. Everyone who is part of our rugby community deserves to feel safe, valued and accepted, both on and off the pitch.

The behaviour directed towards our players was wholly unacceptable and has no place in rugby or wider society. It contradicts rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship, and the basic standards of decency we should all expect from one another. Nobody should have to face discrimination, intimidation or personal abuse simply for playing or supporting the game they love.

We have formally raised our concerns with the opposition club and reported the incident to the relevant governing bodies. We will continue to engage with and support the appropriate processes as they progress.

We would like to make clear that the match itself was played in good spirits. Both sets of players and coaches conducted themselves respectfully throughout what was a closely fought contest. It is important that the unacceptable behaviour experienced off the pitch is distinguished from the sportsmanship shown on it.

Above all, our focus remains on supporting those affected, listening to their experiences and ensuring they know they do not face this alone. We encourage any player or member who feels they need support to reach out to the club committee.

The strength of our club lies not only in what we achieve on the pitch, but in how we treat and stand by one another off it. Racism, discrimination and personal abuse have no place in our club or in our game.

Smiths Rugby Senior Committee