The GW Rugby Club and Alumni Association firmly believe that it is not enough to be non-racist, but that we must be anti-racist. It is for this reason that we are sharing the below statement on the ongoing, overdue reckoning with racism and inequality.

GWRFC and it’s Alumni Association stand against hate and injustice.

The opening pages of the World Rugby law book state our sport’s core principles: integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline, and respect. As rugby players, coaches, referees, admins, and supporters of GWRFC and the sport at large we agree to uphold these principles on and off the field, every single day. 

The Club and Board intend to defer to the groups facing these issues on a daily basis to shed light on how we can best support and ally in the cause against hate and racism. We hope that adding our voice to their message where appropriate is a first step.

The Board is looking into opportunities for the club and broader association to support Black and Indigenous POC organizations within GW, DC, and beyond. We plan to work with the Club and University, specifically GW’s Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, to coordinate a diversity training during the Fall 2020 semester. We are investigating ways that our association can support other organizations working to reduce inequality and injustice and will provide an update to the association in the near future. 

Reflecting on how we as the board and coaching staff hope GWRFC and the Alumni Association incorporate the principles of World Rugby in our daily life, we put forward the following: 

• Integrity: We will reflect honestly on where our morals stand as a sport, within our clubs, and within ourselves. We will continually commit to the highest set of morals when it comes to inclusion and equity..
• Passion: We will defend the rights of those around us, not as silent non-enemies but as passionate, vocal allies.
• Solidarity: We will stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone facing injustice, regardless of cultural, geographic, political, religious, gender, or racial differences.
• Discipline: We will be deliberate and disciplined in our behavior, understanding that our actions and our inaction have consequences for ourselves and those around us.
• Respect: We will show due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, and traditions of others, and will treat others with kindness and caring. 

We turn to our community and ask you to share any organizations you’d like the Alumni Association to consider supporting, types of events we should be a part of, GW student orgs we should support, or any other thoughts on the above statement by the Board.

Best,

GWRFC Alumni Board & Club Coaches

Trevor C.

Andrew M.

Adam L.

Johnny K.

Mike F.

Joe H.