Women on board for rugby changes
THE Gold Coast District Rugby Union have turned to girl power for the first time in a bid to drag rugby in the region into the 21st century.
Former Gold Coast Eagles president Vanessa Reweti and Palm Beach Currumbin Alleygators junior president Kristy Smith will join the board as the first female members in the organisation’s 55-year history. Reweti said she believed the double-election to the board was a significant moment in the history of the game on the Coast, particularly for women.
“It should have happened years ago but it has taken time,” she said.
“People ask me why I did it and I tell them that at the end of the day I have kids playing.
“I have a vested interest (in seeing the sport succeed here).
“I believe the only way to make changes is to implement them yourself, because unless you get involved and try to make them happen then it won’t.
“I’ve got a lot of family in New Zealand who can’t believe it but I just want to help at the next level.
“I was club president at Eagles for six years but I know I can make more of a difference than I did there.
“I want to help change rugby from the inside but if we want change and to push boundaries and ask questions you’ve got to be prepared to do the work.”
The mother-of-six, including four budding players who also referee, said her experience as a mother and as an organiser would bring a different perspective to the 2020 GCDRU board.
“Kristy and I are both mothers and we’ve both been managers and in those roles you learn to get a bit organised,” she said.
“We’re going to bring a different dynamic to the group but I think it will be good.
“It’s very unique but that works quite well for the Gold Coast because the GCDRU is very unique in the way it runs.
“It will be an exciting time for the district with two females on the board.”
Reweti said her approach to her new role, with the primary portfolio of managing the senior competition, would be influenced by her time on the other side of the fence at the Eagles.
“It will be more going down to grassroots level and being available there,” she said. “I want to serve the community, not have the community serve me.”
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