Wales On Sunday

Player tells of letter from ‘scared’ youngster

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WELSH rugby player Ashton Hewitt has spoken of the touching letter he received from a “scared” Newport youngster after his public stand against racism.

Hewitt has become a strong voice in the battle against bigotry in the game and wider society, a stance which has seen him targeted for horrific abuse.

The Dragons winger, who is the son of a white mother and a British Jamaican father, has received threats and vitriol from unverified social media users in recent months. In one shocking incident he was sent a video of a black man being tied up and burned alive.

Last month, Hewitt appealed for help in identifyin­g a racist Twitter account that sent him criticism after the New Year’s Day derby between the Dragons and Scarlets. He received a tweet that read: “Ashton Hewitt missing in action again.”

Hewitt, 26 also recounted incidents he experience­d as a boy playing for Pill Harriers RFC in Newport, including parents of opposition players directing monkey chants at him from the sidelines. “I’d get emotional and angry, and kick off. That was the way I used to deal with it,” he added.

But he also told of a letter he has received from a Newport boy, named Ali, who had been inspired by his actions.

“He thanked me for speaking out because, and I quote: ‘Racism can make you feel afraid, scared and sad.’ I’ve still got the letter. When a child says it makes them feel scared ... that’s the most powerful thing anyone could read,” Hewitt added.

In June, Hewitt called out controvers­ial right-wing commentato­r Katie Hopkins after she mocked the Black Lives Matter movement. Hopkins was then banned from Twitter for her response.

He continuall­y promoted educationa­l material on the issue and called out the Guinness PRO14 when there was no show of support for the fight against racial injustices before the final in September.

A “Unity Moment” had taken place in games previously and Hewitt asked: “What happened to ‘rugby against racism’? @PRO14Offic­ial.”

It prompted a statement from league chief Martin Anayi and Hewitt wrote a guest column that replaced the traditiona­l league CEO’s comments in matchday programmes on the first two rounds of action this season.

 ?? HUW EVANS AGENCY ?? Ashton Hewitt
HUW EVANS AGENCY Ashton Hewitt

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