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Published 17:24 5 Mar 2022 GMT
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A dejected Cliodhna Moloney of Ireland after the Rugby World Cup 2022 Europe qualifying tournament defeat to Scotland at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma. (Photo by Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile)[/caption]
Nichola Fryday, Ciara Griffin and Maeve Óg O'Leary celebrate after Ireland beat USA in November 2021. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
Q: Kevin, I appreciate that this is your first chance to chat to the media and you've been handed a pretty hot potato. I've spoken to quite a few players, past and present, over the years, and there often is that sense that you'll be punished for speaking out. You might be dropped, you might not be picked for the next squad, as well. And we saw [last year] when 50+ players released a statement and got upbraided by the IRFU for it - a very harshly-worded statement was released.
From all the talks that have been going on, recently, is one of them about there being a much more open channel between players and officials? Someone is not going to get in trouble for speaking out? There are amateurs here that are putting in a lot of time and effort. Are there going to be more open channels, where something can be challenged a bit more in the future?
KEVIN POTTS: Thanks, and it's a really good question. The channels are wide open, as far as I'm concerned. I've got an open line of communication with the players and that is going to remain in place, certainly for as long as I am CEO. I've built up a very good relationship [with them] over the last number of months. It's certainly not going to be my policy, our policy or the IRFU's policy to ask people not to speak.
As I look to the future, and some of the recommendations for changes, we talk about collaboration and ensuring players have a voice. That there are annual check-ins with players to take their views, and make sure the culture is working, holistically, as we go forward. As far as I'm concerned, I'm always available to talk with players, or anybody. I spoke with some players this week. I have an ongoing and an open invitation to the players to speak to me whenever they want. Hopefully that's the culture you see, going forward.
FIONA STEED: Just to add to that, I think the appointment of the new national team manager will be key in that, as well. That person will have international experience of what best-practice environments are, for high performance. And, within that, you create the situation where you have your senior leadership group and you have all the things you feel are necessary, so things don't get to boiling point. I think that is what's needed, and I think Kevin has demonstrated, since this process started, his willingness and openness. I've been at those meetings, as well, and they've been powerful. From both sides. That's really important to acknowledge - that it is a stepping point and we are here, but it's where we go from here.
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