ARU announces first woman on board

Look forward to it :)

Great idea, I think I'll put something together this week.

Irene, as a fresh member of the Roar family and obviously from a females perspective, you may like to outline in an article what you would like the board to focus on (specifically the newest member), to develop rugby in Australia further. You appear to have some strong and significant views. I could suggest an open letter to the Australian Rugby Board although these 'open letters' have attracted some adverse comments, although I think it may be a good vehicle to get your thoughts across. There have been a significant number of articles written concerning the need for a competition above Premier rugby and below Super 15 (like the NZ NPC and SA Currie Cup) as well as many articles on the expansion of the S15 within Australia and the further development of the grass roots level of rugby. I suppose I would be interested to hear a female fan's thoughts on how she would see the development of rugby and perhaps how this new board member may be able to advance those thoughts. No pressure of course, but interested in your ideas nonetheless.

What current members of the board have that skill set you have alluded to? I would suggest none of them, but they all bring something to the board and it's these strengths which are then tapped into IOT further the game in a sustainable manner. Whether that has occurred is reflected in the overall development of the game under a particular board. That progress isn't measured by whether the Wallabies are 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the IRB rankings. It would be measured against KPIs and reported, usually annually. Generally speaking, IMO and I suspect the opinion of many on this forum, Australian rugby, whilst not going backwards, could perhaps have made greater gains against some of the KPI's (without knowing exactly what those KPIs may be). Therefore, the addition of a female, well credentialed for the position, could well be a step in the right direction. Only time will tell but one thing is for sure, many have been calling for change so perhaps this could be a part of that change and we hope it's for the better.

My main concern is that it is yet another banker. She knows how to run a service industry that thrives on focusing on the top end of the business, soaking the bottom end and chasing short-term profits by cutting both services and staff alike. Does she actually know anything at all about managing public perception, selling a discretionary and dispensible product, growing a people-oriented business that has to develop and nuture talent, and one that can't be effectively managed by simply sitting at the top table just telling people what to do and sacking them if they don't or can't do it?

very true WCR, online banter isnt easy. tx mate

it's a pleasure Irene. You like many woman will be able to have it all. A successful career, a handsome husband lol, who is exciting, and wonderful children for all those kodak moments. i am liking the increasing lady content on the roar. You irene ,Jocelyn, and Elisha have really freshened up the roar, with all of your beauty and natural good looks, and intelligence. It is refreshing to get woman's touch on sport. And breaking down stereotypes that only men are sports fans. It is good to see woman actively taking interest in sports form a fan's angle not just playing sports. Yes deadbeats dads are a common sometimes in our couch potato society but all dads are deadbeats dads luckily. If a man wants to step up to the plate and leave the boardroom , and go to the bedroom, to do domestic duties with his days, then ce la vey let him, your right it doesn't mean he is a deadbeat dad you are right Irene. If 50% of woman can get on board on the board i think it would be fantastic, and woman clearly like some sports or there a passionate woman out there that truly love watching sports and woman represent 50% of the tv viewers so cash in which rugby is doing more and more now trying to appeal to woman's accidence to as well as men. Kristina kenneally everyone has been appointed CEO of basketball australia or the NBL, now this ARU board thing, julia gillard is PM, plus julie bishop is deputy opposition leader, germany has a female PM, the Queen of england of course, so woman are making a contribution around the world more. Also helen clark in NZ to was a recent former PM before John Key. So woman at the board level is really happening not just a tv sitcom.

Nick, It can often be difficult to translate humour over the internet that otherwise would be simply face to face, but, don't worry. I got that you were kidding so your attempt wasn't too bad.

Kuruki, She's replacing an outgoing board member. No 'new' positions are being created to accommodate her arrival. She has the business credentials and has made it clear as a former member of the board of the Australian Sports Commission she wants to focus on developing and growing grassroots Rugby. How can that ever be a negative? As for mother's influencing the sport's their children and more specifically sons play. Well, while I grew supporting both Rugby and League yet I played Soccer. Why? Because my mother wanted me too. The same went for many. I played until I was 12 and the opportunity to play Rugby came up at school. Out of the 16 guys I played Soccer with growing up as kids only 5 played on after 12/13. The club I played for went from fielding 3 teams per age group to just 1 before settling in at 2 teams a few years later but only after cannibalizing their local rivals to the point they could only field one team. While in some cases the father's choice may prevail in the majority from experience mother's decisions rule the roost. Getting more women onside with Rugby will greatly assist with getting more kids into the game. Come on guys, it's the 21st century for heaven's sake.

Umm thank you, I think! Yes I am a career woman but I also want to have a family and think you can do both in this day and age. Also if the woman earns more money than her partner, what's wrong with him staying at home to look after the family? It doesn't mean he is a deadbeat! It would be a dream to have women represent 50% on the board but I don't think that will ever happen. It's definitely a good start though and can only get better from here.

Hahaha I wasn't sure Nick, so I'm glad you cleared it up :)

yes was obviously joking... (i thought i was being quite heavy but apparently not!!!).

Was actually kidding (re her cleaning/wife duties...doesnt always work online, sorry :) but more seriously i do really have no problem with that. I want the best in the ARU. If a woman is better than the guys, let's give her a chance.

anything can happen Irene. But as you know some woman truly do want to be home makers. They have not all been seduced by shows like what was it that s**x and the city show, and alike. Maybe he wants to be a deadbeat dad and stay at home all day let him. You are career woman Irene not all woman are as independent and as talented and good looking as the modern woman like you Irene. I support the appointment of this female board member. In fact i wanted to go even more far and have 50% of the board being woman why not a woman's touch would be really actually quite nice. And a sport like rugby where girls are playing a lot the more woman on the board the better Irene i think.

Oh Nick, I truly didn't want to respond to your comment but feel I have to. Are you joking about the household duties etc or do you really believe it is solely her responsibility to take care of the family? Maybe her husband looks after the kids and the home? It is, as you say 2012 and anything can happen.

I'm with you Nick - Its great that a woman is placed in charge, she will bring new ideas and a new energy to the board. I laugh because everyone is calling for a massive clean out of the ARU old boys club so they introduce a woman and everyone gets up in arms about it.

As long as she still has time to fulfill her household duties and take care of her kids & husband, I see nothing wrong with that! We are in 2012 for God sake! Welcome to rugby, Ann!

Thanks Emric, I'll check her out :)

If skills are all that is required, then why haven't the all male ARU boards of the past done more to grow the game in Australia? Nothing happens overnight and it would be unrealistic to think that by appointing one female to the board that we would see this happen. What I want is to see a steady increase until support and participation in rugby rivals that of AFL and rugby league. The AFL have done an amazing job and started involving women heavily in 2009 which is why they have the highest member base with over 40% being female. Rugby has a long way to go before we see figures like that.

I do believe there have been a few studies undertaken that concluded mothers do play a dominant role in shaping the participation decisions of their children. It's one of the reasons that soccer is one of the most popular sports for young children in Australia. Of course fathers play a part but in Australia rugby is not the no 1 sport so there are more fathers pushing for their children to play either AFL or league which is a shame. As a female who is fanatical about rugby, I can tell you that having more women love the game will certainly sell more merchandise and tickets. We love to shop :)