With governance in sport very much in the spotlight the appointment yesterday of Maura Quinn to the Executive Board of Rugby Players Ireland, the representative association for professional rugby players in Ireland, was as timely as it was smart.
The Chief Executive of the Institute of Directors in Ireland’s appointment to the Board coincides with that of Irish Women’s XV Captain, Ciara Griffin, Irish Women’s 7’s player Louise Galvin and Irish Men’s 7’s player Greg O’Shea.
The organisation extended to represent the Women’s game in 2018 and the three ‘Player’ appointments represent an answer to the call from each that they should have a say at the decision making level.
The four new appointees join  Rob Kearney (Chairman), Darren Cave, Eoin McKeon, Peter O’Mahony and Johnny Sexton on the Executive Committee alongside existing Independent Board member, Peter McKenna, the former Leinster Player as opposed to the GAA’s Commercial Director.
A membership organisation for Ireland’s professional rugby players, Rugby Players Ireland was established in 2001 following the advent of the professional game. Its remit was extended in 2018 to include the Women’s XV International programme and both the Men’s and Women’s 7’s teams.
Its work includes representing the interests of the players in all aspects of the game, the design, development and administration of its  player development programme and harnessing the collective power of members to contribute to social good through their mental well-being programme Tackle Your Feelings delivered in partnership with Zurich.
Read More: Gary Shaughnessy of the Z Zurich Foundation on backing Tackle Your Feelings
“We are delighted to welcome Maura, Louise, Ciara, and Greg to the Rugby Players Ireland Executive Board,” said Kearney.
“The appointments reflect the continued growth and development of professional rugby in Ireland. It is also particularly pleasing to have an individual of the calibre of Maura Quinn join the board and provide her expertise to the Executive Board as we focus on the delivery of our strategic objective to ensure that Ireland is the best country in the world to play professional rugby.”
“I look forward to working with our new Board members at what is a very exciting time for the development of rugby in Ireland with the continued growth of the women’s game, the recent success of the 7’s programmes alongside really positive performances by each of the four provinces this year,” added CEO Simon Keogh.
“The new additions will bring different experiences, expertise and skills to the Executive Board that are reflective of the broad remit and impact of Rugby Players Ireland within the game.”
 
Join us tomorrow for an in depth interview with Maura Quinn on her new role and the importance of Governance.