Racism in Sport

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:20 pm on 12 January 2021.

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Photo of Jayne Bryant Jayne Bryant Labour 2:20, 12 January 2021

Thank you, First Minister. Over the Christmas period, Dragons Rugby winger Ashton Hewitt was subjected to racial abuse on social media. Sadly, this is not an isolated event, and it was only one in a long line of posts that Ashton has received because he's a black player. It's not just confined to one person or sport. Last year, Ashton used his platform to call out racial abuse and raise awareness of racism. Ashton has praised the support he's had from his club—the Dragons—and the Welsh Rugby Players Association, but he has said:

'It was just important for me to highlight that it does happen in my sport. It's not perfect and it's important that people acknowledge and take action.'

Much of the abuse on social media comes from anonymous accounts. While Ashton has said he would like to have a constructive conversation with the person who racially abused him, social media anonymity is a problem with obvious solutions. Many apps and advertising require proof of identification to create an account; similar checks could easily be made on social media platforms. Will the First Minister join me in commending Ashton Hewitt for speaking out about racism in sport, and look at how we can support him and others to put an end to all racism? And will the First Minister use his voice in urging the social media giants to strengthen their regulations around anonymous accounts, so that there's nowhere for people to hide?