Rugby's bid to get women on board

[Flamethrower]

Rugby's bid to get women on board
Bret Harris | June 20, 2008

TWO leading rugby organisations, the ARU and the NSWRU, are seriously considering breaking the glass ceiling and appointing women to their board of directors at the next available opportunity.

Both the NRL board (Katie Page) and AFL commission (Justice Linda Dessau) have female members and rugby is keen to address the gender imbalance on its boards.

"It's something that should be on the agenda," ARU chief executive John O'Neill said.

"I think every sporting body would benefit from a female director. Personally, I haven't discussed it with the board, but I think it is something that should be pursued at the appropriate time. We've got two independent directors, but it's not just the independent directors. NSW and Queensland could nominate a female director.

"I'm sure the board has it on its to-do list."

O'Neill declined to nominate any potential female candidate for the ARU board, but there is no shortage of outstanding rugby women who could make a contribution to the game.

Full story:Rugby's bid to get women on board | The Australian

[Skiza]

As someone who would like an opportunity like this in the future, i think its great!!!
As long as they are the best person for the job and will perform their duties well, sounds good to me...

[Swee_82]

As long as they are the best person for the job and will perform their duties well, sounds good to me...

And herein lies the problem with coming out and saying 'we need a woman on the board', because now no matter how well qualified she might be, as soon as she's appointed she'll be answering to all those who think she was appointed solely for political reasons.

P.S. I appreciated the juxtaposition of an article on 'breaking the glass ceiling' with FT's signature.

[Flamethrower]

I have been pushing for more women to be involved in Rugby for ages

[chook]

Hehe, females are on the to do list
Posted via Mobile Device

[jono]

here we go again...

[Burgs]

Surely Rebecca Wilson would be the first to be nominated?
She knows everything!

[Moses]

Vote 1: Amanda Shalala

[force addict]

I'm the next one to be added to that

[fulvio sammut]

What next, female Popes? (just kidding)

My view is that all appointments should be on merit, experience, temperment and suitability. Gender is immaterial with very few obvious exceptions.

We must recognise however that appointments made solely for the purpose of addressing gender imbalance can be self defeating and sometimes dangerous.

Where the position is one which has always been held by males, males are usually the only ones who have had the opportunity of becoming qualified to fill it. In fairness to both the position and the applicant for the position, if it is a female, the getting of experience must precede the appointment.

Subject to that caveat, I applaude the involvement of women in rugby, and am proud that my club has had a history of senior women administrators and officials for many years.

[Flamethrower]

My view is that all appointments should be on merit, experience, temperment and suitability. Gender is immaterial with very few obvious exceptions.

Cheerleaders??

[Moses]

We must recognise however that appointments made solely for the purpose of addressing gender imbalance can be self defeating and sometimes dangerous.

Sounds like the boks quota system

[laura]

[The Man]

Gail Kelly, Boss of Westpac .....simple really!