IRFU Seeking Members for Women’s Game Advisory Committee

Rugby has captured the attention like never before over the last six weeks and now the IRFU is seeking to fill three voluntary positions on the Women’s Game Advisory Committee.

Candidates would be expected to have one or more of the following:

• Demonstrable experience in the administration or development of women’s rugby or another women’s team sport.
• significant experience in high-performance team sport.
• strong knowledge of the women’s domestic game of rugby in Ireland.
• depth of knowledge of the grassroots development of a female team sport.

As set out in the Women in Rugby Action Plan Review the purpose of the Advisory Group is to (i) drive the implementation of the Women in Rugby Action Plan Review recommendations, (ii) support and challenge Union committees to embed equality in all their work;(iii) help to facilitate timely implementation of the plans for Women in rugby as set out in the IRFU Strategic Plan 2023-28; and (iv) provide a focused reporting mechanism on Women in Rugby to the Union Committee and wider stakeholders.

The key roles and responsibilities of the Women’s Game Advisory Committee include:
• Ensuring that the IRFU Strategic Plan 2023-28 contains strategies and targets to deal with all the matters set out in the Women in Rugby Action Plan Review.
• Tracking the implementation of the recommendations set out in the Women in Rugby Action Plan Review, and, as required, receiving reports from Directors and relevant staff on progress against this Review;
• Tracking the implementation of the various strategies and progress against targets set in respect of Women in rugby set out within the IRFU Strategic Plan 2023-28, and as required, receive reports from Directors and relevant staff on progress against this Strategic Plan.
• To receive reports from the IRFU Diversity & Inclusion Officer on progress made, shortcomings and any other issues related to the implementation of the inclusivity and equality strategy which pertains to Women in rugby within Ireland. (It is envisaged that inclusivity for the IRFU as a whole will be dealt with by the Spirit Committee which will report directly to the Union Committee);
• To support and challenge as necessary the various Committees and Directors within the IRFU on the implementation of the recommendations set out in the Women in Rugby Action Plan Review;
• Report and provide advice as necessary to the IRFU Union Committee on the implementation of the recommendations set out in the Women in Rugby Action Plan Review and the various strategies and progress against targets set in respect of Women in rugby set out within the IRFU Strategic Plan 2023-28.
• Where appropriate, provide recommendations to the IRFU Union Committee regarding any possible changes to the various strategies and targets set in respect of Women’s rugby set out within the IRFU Strategic Plan 2023-28;
• To undertake any other tasks as required or agreed by the IRFU Union Committee.

The Women’s Game Advisory Committee meets approximately three times a year, primarily in Dublin.

The positions are in a voluntary capacity and will be appointed for a three-season term (subject to annual approval as are all positions in the Union). As the 2023/2024 season has already commenced this appointment will end in July 2026.

Should you wish to be included in the process, please send in a letter of interest, expressing your motivation for the role and outlining why this brief fits your profile with an up-to-date CV/ Biography, to Brónagh McDonald, TRB Associates email bmcdonald@trb.ie, by Monday 30th October 2023.

Successful candidates will be appointed by the end of December 2023.