Kath Vass has been elected as the Scottish Women’s Rugby Forum representative on the Scottish Rugby Council.A biomedical scientist by profession, Vass’ 15 year commitment to the women’s game includes a variety of roles including Exiles representative on the SWRU Committee, Scotland A Women’s team manager, international co-ordinator and member of the SWRU executive board; all prior to the integration of the SWRU with the Scottish Rugby Union. Kath Vass has been elected as the Scottish Women’s Rugby Forum representative on the Scottish Rugby Council.A biomedical scientist by profession, Vass’ 15 year commitment to the women’s game includes a variety of roles including Exiles representative on the SWRU Committee, Scotland A Women’s team manager, international co-ordinator and member of the SWRU executive board; all prior to the integration of the SWRU with the Scottish Rugby Union.In her playing days Vass captained the Scottish Women’s Exiles and was part of the Scotland Women’s squad for their inaugural match against Ireland Women in 1993. She gained three caps in the following year’s World Cup held in Scotland.Her appointment to the forum means that she will take a position on Scottish Rugby Council, succeeding Sandra Kinnear, who stepped down from the role after four and a half years on Council, but nine and a half years leading Scottish Women’s Rugby.She said: “Sandra has shown a tremendous commitment to Scottish rugby at a time when both interest and participation in the women’s game have increased. She was instrumental in guiding the successful integration of the two organisations, ensuring that rugby is a sport for all in Scotland.”I’m very pleased to be taking over this post, working at the heart of Scottish rugby; for the good of the women’s game in general and as the main conduit for queries and questions from clubs across the country in what is a huge year for women’s rugby.””The 2010 6 Nations and World Cup in England are hugely important to the continued growth of women’s rugby and I’m delighted to be part of it.”Vass won the election unopposed and takes up her post as a member of the Scottish Rugby Council with immediate effect.Following unanimous votes at both the SWRU and SRU 2009 AGMS both unions were integrated into a united governing body where all are part of a single and equitable organisation.Full integration, supported by the increased female participation at all levels, will allow women’s sides to become part of the all-inclusive rugby family and be viewed as essential and equal part of a rugby club, rather than a separate entity. An integrated club would strive to reflect the community it serves, reflecting the local population’s age, gender, ethnic mix and disability.Women’s rugby is currently experiencing unprecedented appeal and interest across the world with over 200,000 women and girls registered around the world and thousands more being introduced to rugby through other forms of the game such as touch and tag rugby.