IRFU reaches gender-balance targets at board level

The IRFU has reached its gender-balance target after the addition of three co-opted delegates, it has announced.

The recommended target of female representation on the boards of funded national governing bodies of sport is 40%

"Following the final Union Committee meeting of the year, a gender balance of 40% has been reached with the addition of three co-opted delegates," said the union in a statement.

At an EGM on Saturday the FAI approved an extension of the board to 14 members in a vote which ensures the football governing body will meet gender balance requirements set out by Government.

At the GAA's Special Congress, a motion was passed to achieve and maintain a gender balance in the membership of its management committee with a minimum of 40% female or male representation.

The IRFU committee, which is a representative body, now comprises of 29 people, with each province providing five delegates.

The remaining positions are the president, two vice Presidents, chairperson, honorary treasurer, international affairs committee chairperson, along with the three new co-opted delegates – Maeve Carton, Fiona Sweeney, and Joanne Geary.

IRFU chief executive Kevin Potts said: "We undertook a robust recruitment process which was a great opportunity to look for some complementary skills to add to those existing on the committee and we are really pleased with the three candidates we have today brought on board.

"These additions give us a gender balance of 40%, a commitment we made to the Government and Sport Ireland, and I am pleased we could deliver on that in the agreed timeframe.

"We look forward now to a fruitful working relationship with all parties driving Irish rugby forward in a positive and inclusive manner."

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