RFU makes historic appointments amid challenging time

NEWS: Deborah Griffin is set to make history in 2025 and become the Rugby Football Union’s first female president.

Griffin has been appointed the Junior Vice President after RFU confirmed the RFU Board and Council Presidential team for the 2023-24 season.

Rob Briers has been revealed as the President, while Rob Udwin will be the Senior Vice-President.

The RFU Board appointments will see Griffin also elected as a World Rugby Representative.

Meanwhile, Auriol Stevens has been appointed as Independent Non-Executive Director and Kirsty Mellor will the Council Elected Director.

RFU revealed that the appointments are part of gender parity.

David Roberts will be the Chair of the Community Game Board and Jonathan Webb is a World Rugby Representative and Council Elected Director.

Commenting on her appointment, Deborah Griffin said: “It is a great honour to be nominated by my fellow Council members and elected by the clubs to be the Junior Vice President and, hopefully, the President of the RFU in 2025 when we will be hosting the Rugby World Cup 2025.

“This is a challenging time for rugby and our clubs, and I will continue to work hard alongside the staff and Council members of the RFU to support all our players and volunteers to continue to grow and enjoy the game we love.”

Stevens said: “As a passionate fan of the sport at club and international level, and parent to children playing in the community game, I am delighted to be joining the Board at such a critical time in the history of English rugby.”

All roles will begin on August 1, 2023.