Scottish Rugby Manager Becomes First Woman On Irb Rugby Committee

Scottish Rugby manager for the women’s game, Carol Isherwood OBE, has become the first female to be named on the IRB Rugby Committee. Isherwood has been a leading figure in the women’s game for more than 25 years as a player (winning seven caps for England and eight for Great Britain between 1986 and 1991), coach, and administrator. As a founding member of the Rugby Football Union for Women, Isherwood pioneered the development of the women’s game in England before joining Scottish Rugby in December 2008 to manage the women’s game in Scotland. Isherwood’s additional IRB role means that she now takes up the challenge of working to advance the game globally as well as in Scotland. For anyone involved in our great game, it is an honour to be selected to join the IRB Rugby Committee, but I am especially proud to be the first woman on board, she said. I am really looking forward to contributing to the essential service the committee provides for the whole game and hope I can bring new ideas and a fresh perspective with me.”I’ve been really impressed with the systems in place to support and develop women’s rugby in Scotland, in particular with the enthusiasm shown for the integration of the SWRU and Scottish Rugby into a single and equitable organisation earlier this year.”The integration of the men’s and women’s game is of global importance and it was great to be recognised by the sport’s governing body and unanimously by its member clubs.I am also enthused by the prospects for international women’s rugby in the next decade following the recent success of the women’s tournament at the RWC Sevens in Dubai and, hopefully, Olympic inclusion from 2016. These are very exciting and important times for rugby worldwide.”Scottish Rugby Head of Community Rugby, Colin Thomson, said: “Carol has been a fantastic addition to the Scottish Rugby team at a time when we’re increasing interest and participation in the women’s game.”She was instrumental in guiding the successful integration of the two organisations, ensuring that rugby is a sport for all in Scotland.”Her rugby pedigree more than justifies her selection to the IRB committee.”IRB Chairman, Bernard Lapasset, added: We are privileged that Carol has joined the IRB Rugby Committee. She brings with her a wealth of experience. This is a very positive step for rugby and women’s rugby around the world. Carol will help inform IRB decisions on a range of playing matters including laws, the international match schedule, player welfare and the training of coaches and officials as well as the global development of the women’s game.The seven-strong IRB Rugby Committee comprises IRB Council members; Graham Mourie (Chairman, New Zealand), Chris Le Fevre (Canada), Bill Nolan (Scotland), John O’Neill (Australia), David Pickering (Wales) and Pat Whelan (Ireland). Following on from Isherwood’s appointment, a leading coach and former international player will be appointed to the committee in the coming weeks. The IRB Rugby Committee advises the IRB Council on issues related to the playing of the game. With that in mind it is important that the personnel who sit on the committee have significant hands-on experience of playing, coaching and administrating the game in order to make informed recommendations on important areas of the game such as the laws and their application and player welfare. Carol’s appointment underlines the IRB’s commitment to the ongoing development of the game around the world, said Graham Mourie, IRB Rugby Committee Chairman.