SWANAGE & WAREHAM RFC

Statement from Former Committee Members and Volunteers of Swanage and Wareham Rugby Football Club

Wednesday 13 May 2026

​

As volunteers of Swanage and Wareham Rugby Football Club, a club for which we have all held immense pride, respect and affection, we wish to place the following statement on record.

Throughout our involvement with the Club, we have consistently acted in what we believed to be its best interests, giving our time, energy and commitment voluntarily and in good faith. Many of us have dedicated years of service across multiple areas of the Club, motivated solely by a desire to support, strengthen and contribute positively to both the organisation and its wider community.

However, over the past twelve months, a sustained pattern of unacceptable behaviour by a small minority of individuals associated with the Club has created an environment that has become increasingly difficult to operate within. This conduct falls far below the standards of respect, integrity and decency that volunteers are entitled to expect.

​

Such behaviour has included, but has not been limited to, repeated harassment, personal attacks, threats, intimidation and the unauthorised recording of discussions and meetings. There has also been a persistent effort to undermine the integrity and reputations of individuals through unfounded allegations and misinformation, particularly where opinions or views have differed.

Of particular concern has been what appears to have been a targeted and disproportionate campaign directed towards two female members of the Club.

​

In addition, we have witnessed the continued circulation of inaccurate and misleading information intended to distort facts, influence opinion and damage trust between members. This has contributed significantly to a breakdown in respectful communication and created an atmosphere of division and mistrust that is wholly contrary to the core values promoted by the Rugby Football Union: respect, teamwork, discipline and integrity.

​

While some individuals have publicly claimed to be acting as “servants of the Club” and in its best interests, the ongoing hostility, obstruction and persistent undermining of volunteers has made it increasingly difficult for committee members to carry out their roles effectively, constructively or in a sustainable manner.

​

As a direct consequence of these circumstances, and in order to protect both ourselves and the wider interests of the Club from further harm, we — Nik Taylor, Anna Daniels, Claire Carlton and Peter Constable — have taken the decision to step down with immediate effect from all committee positions.

​

In addition, John Constable, Mike Redout, Ray Graves and Luke Smith have also chosen to step down with immediate effect from all committee roles and responsibilities for the same reasons outlined above.

​

Furthermore, all Monday volunteers have likewise chosen to stand down from their volunteer duties with immediate effect.

​

For the avoidance of doubt, these decisions should not be interpreted as resignations from Swanage and Wareham Rugby Football Club itself, but rather as actions taken in response to the circumstances outlined above.

​

It should also be noted that the purpose of this evening’s meeting was to consider a proposed vote of no confidence relating to four committee members. As those individuals have now stepped down from their positions, that meeting is no longer necessary and therefore should not proceed.

Accordingly, those individuals who retain voting rights and remain from the elected Committee (four in total) will continue in post until the Annual General Meeting in July, at which point a new Committee can be democratically formed to support the Club moving forward.

In the interim, those remaining Committee members may, in accordance with Rule 12.2, exercise their power to co-opt additional members:

“The Committee shall have the power to co-opt additional members to serve on it, provided that the number of such co-opted members shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the number of members selected to hold office on the Committee (the Officers for the purpose of this computation being deemed to be elected members), and to approve the co-option of additional members to serve on any Sub-Committee, in both cases, either for general or special service and with or without voting rights.”

​

Under the current composition of the elected Committee, this would permit the appointment of one additional voting member only. Any greater number would be procedurally inconsistent with the Club’s current rules.

​

Additionally, following the stepping down of the Club’s Safeguarding Lead, no individuals under the age of 18 will be permitted to participate in rugby-related activity until the Annual General Meeting in July and the appointment of a suitably qualified replacement.

We also wish to address misinformation currently being circulated in relation to a Subject Access Request (SAR) made by our former Chair.

​

Any material relating to bullying allegations or safeguarding concerns would not necessarily appear within SAR disclosures. This does not mean such incidents or concerns did not occur. Information may lawfully be withheld or redacted in order to protect the privacy, safety and identity of victims or other individuals, or due to legal safeguarding exemptions.

The absence of such information from disclosed material must not be interpreted as evidence that these events did not take place. Such redactions exist to protect individuals from further harm and from the unacceptable behaviour that has already been directed towards them.

Despite the circumstances leading to these decisions, we remain deeply appreciative of the many positive experiences, friendships and memories created through our involvement with Swanage and Wareham Rugby Football Club.

​

We sincerely wish the Club and all its members every success for the future.

​

Signed,

​

Nik Taylor
Anna Daniels
Claire Carlton
Peter Constable
John Constable
Mike Redout
Ray Graves
Luke Smith