Scottish Rugby becomes first Tier One rugby nation to appoint woman vice president

Scotland’s rugby clubs today made an historic appointment as they voted Dee Bradbury as the first female Vice-President of the Scottish Rugby Union.Dee, representing Oban Lorne RFC, becomes the first female Vice-President of a Tier 1 rugby nation and a major sport in Scotland.Dee Bradbury won a three-way election for the role by a margin of 25 votes at the Union’s Annual General Meeting today at BT Murrayfield Stadium. The unsuccessful candidates were Ian Barr (Lasswade) and John Davidson (Jed-Forest).History-makerShe will serve a two-year vice-presidency with new Scottish Rugby Union President Rob Flockhart of Boroughmuir RFC before becoming President herself for a further two-year term from the start of the 2018-19 season.Speaking immediately after the AGM Dee Bradbury said: “I am delighted the clubs have supported me and voted for me to take this role.”The women’s and men’s unions integrated in 2009 and, since then, it has become very clear to me that out of most sports, Scottish Rugby is one of the most fully-integrated and welcoming for women.”I did not undertake this role to be a broad feminist gesture, purely that I thought I had qualities to bring to the role.”My first reaction was delight that the clubs have had the vision to support me in this role. And then I think the second reaction was that I must go and phone my 85-year-old father which I did, and that was an immense moment.”Scottish Rugby CEO Mark Dodson said: “It’s an historic day not just for Scottish Rugby but both Scottish sport and international rugby.”I think it shows how seriously we are taking women’s sport and women’s rugby in general.Clear pathway”Our Head of Women & Girls Rugby, Sheila Begbie has spoken of a clear pathway for women and girls through rugby from the pitch to the boardroom and with Dee’s appointment we can show it is now a reality in Scotland.”Dee’s appointment alongside that of Sheila Begbie and having former Solicitor General, Lesley Thomson on our board means we have women in very senior roles throughout our organisation.”Scottish Rugby’s new President Rob Flockhart who had his appointment ratified at the AGM today said: “It is fantastic for Scottish Rugby and Scottish sport that Dee has been appointed to this role. It sends a message out that rugby really does encompass every part of society, men and women, boys and girls. Dee’s appointment is especially key given the opportunity to keep developing rugby in the west of Scotland.”Dee worked for the Strathclyde Police for 30 years, posted at Oban.Multi-sport backgroundShe represented Scotland and Great Britain in athletics and played representative netball before taking up rugby while President of Oban Lorne RFC and Secretary of Argyll and Bute. Dee was appointed as one of Scottish Rugby’s representatives on Rugby Europe, the sport’s European Governing Body, in 2015She represents the Women’s Rugby Forum on the Scottish Rugby Council.