RUGBY in Scotland has made history by electing its first female official in Dee Bradbury. The presidency of the Scottish Rugby Union will follow once she has completed her two-year apprenticeship in the vice-president's role. Bradbury, who is president of the Oban Lorne club, won the vice-presidential vote by such an overwhelming margin that the Annual General Meeting did not have to bother with a second ballot to confirm her in her new role, and immediately hailed it as a breakthrough for all women in rugby.
"Girls and women can see that there is a way forward for them both as a player and in any other role within Scottish rugby," she said. "It should reinforce the fact that Scottish rugby, compared with other sports, is very well integrated. That can only be a positive for the women and girls in the game."
Despite anticipating some kickback from some elements of the game, Bradbury said she had been hugely heartened by the experience of campaigning for election: "I did expect a few incidents of that [chauvinism] but I didn't experience any, which was refreshing," she said. "That indicates just how forward-thinking a lot of the clubs are."
EAST full-back Chloe Rollie scored four tries as her team beat the West 43-10 yesterday at Murrayfield to retain the Donna Kennedy Cup.
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