Nigel Walker lands new job in English sport in first role since WRU exit
The former Welsh rugby powerbroker has landed a top role in England
Former WRU interim CEO Nigel Walker
(Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency )
Former Welsh rugby bigwig Nigel Walker has been appointed CEO of Basketball England.
Walker left his role as the Welsh Rugby Union's executive director of rugby last December having formerly been interim CEO before Abi Tierney took the reins in January 2024.
The 62-year-old was a leading figure in Welsh rugby during one of the most turbulent periods in its history.
During Walker's time at the WRU he oversaw the introduction of the first professional contracts for the women's game.
But Walker was heavily criticised for his role in the negotiation of contract negotiations with the senior women's team last year which allegedly included the WRU threatening to pull the team out of last year's WXV2 competition while also issuing a number of ultimatums.
This triggered a review into the WRU's conduct, which concluded while there had been poor behaviour, sexism was not present. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
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The row came less than a year after a review into the WRU's culture following a BBC Wales investigation found it was sexist, misogynistic, racist and homophobic, which ultimately led to the departure of then CEO Steve Phillips.
Nevertheless Walker is a well-respected figure in Welsh sport having previously been head of sport at BBC Wales and national director at the English Institute of Sport, while he was also a Cardiff Rugby board member.
The former Cardiff wing also won 17 caps for Wales and represented Great Britain at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles in the 110 metres hurdles.
During his time at the WRU Walker helped guide the governing body through the 2023 independent review process.
Alongside former chair Ieuan Evans, he pushed through a modernisation of the WRU's governance with a 97% majority at an extraordinary general meeting in March 2023.
His time in Welsh rugby has now come to an end and Walker will be in charge of Basketball England.
'I am delighted to join Basketball England on an interim basis and to have the opportunity to work with the organisation's excellent staff and our partners," said Walker. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
'Over the next six months I will focus my efforts on ensuring we deliver our strategy with a particular emphasis on growing the membership, improving the service we provide to our existing members and nurturing our most talented players.'
Walker also served on the UK Sport board for four years (2006-2010) and was a member of the Commonwealth Games England board (2015-2022). In addition, he held independent roles with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and was on the Birmingham 2022 operations board.
'It is my great pleasure to welcome Nigel to the organisation as we look forward to a new season," said Basketball England chair Paul Blanchard.
"It is a real coup for the organisation to have him join us on an interim basis. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
'His focus will be on growing our membership base and ensuring that we service our community better as well as improving standards across the game and ensuring our sport continues as the most diverse and inclusive in the UK.
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"He is a highly talented and respected figure in sport and I am confident he will serve us and basketball well as we start the search for someone to take on the role for the longer term.'
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