Former England Women’s international Louise Latter has been elected as the women and girls’ representative on the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Council.
The appointment was confirmed at the recent RFU Council meeting, after a number of high-quality applications were put forward for the position. Louise takes over the role from Deborah Griffin who has become an RFU representative to the World Rugby Council.
Louise, who moved into community rugby with Middlesex Rugby, after her playing career is a professional marketing, communications and strategic consultant.
Having been involved in rugby for more than 20 years, Louise’s playing career started at University and at Harlequins Ladies. From there she moved to Wasps FC Ladies and then she played for Middlesex CB, South East Counties, South Division and was selected for the England Women’s squad in 1999.
In 2009 Louise was invited to represent women and girls’ rugby on the Community Rugby Committee for Middlesex Rugby. She was heavily involved in the three-year Unity Project to grow the game across Europe ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015 working with Russia – one of the 17 nations involved in the project. In 2015 Louise became the Chair of Community Rugby at Middlesex Rugby, the first time a woman had been appointed chair of a Middlesex committee, and went onto the Middlesex Rugby Management Board where she remains.
More recently Louise led Wasps FC Ladies’ application for the Tyrrells Premier 15s competition and is closely acquainted with the growth in the elite club game.
Commenting on her appointment Louise Latter said: “I’m delighted to take on this role from Deborah (Griffin). She has been a real driving force in the women’s game and I’m really looking forward to building on her great work. This is an exciting time with the potential of major growth in women and girls rugby to take it the next level.
“Rugby has been a part of my life for a long time and it’s great to be able to continue my involvement helping promote and develop the women and girls’ game. On a personal level, I have aspired to be on the RFU Council for a number of years and hope that I can help demonstrate that this is an achievable and accessible route for women on the administration side of rugby.”
Since 2013 the number of women and girls enjoying contact rugby in England has increased by nearly 20,000, as a result of participation campaigns including Inner Warrior.
This huge surge in popularity has seen hundreds rugby clubs across England providing playing opportunities for more than 30,000 registered female players.
By 2021 England Rugby wants to grow these numbers, engaging 100,000 women and girls in rugby with the aim of growing to 50,000 registered players.
The RFU has 17 contracted England Women’s Sevens players and announced in September that there will be 28 full-time contracts available to England Women’s fifteen-a-side player, which will come into effect on 1 January 2019. The 28 contracts will be supplemented by seven elite player squad (EPS) agreements, meaning a total EPS of 35. Prior to this, the Red Roses will be in action in November as part of the Quilter Internationals where they play the USA, Canada and Ireland on 9, 18 and 24 November.
Courtesy of the RFU
