Bradbury’s hopes for successor

Outgoing Scottish Rugby president Dee Bradbury has joked she hopes her successor does not have to deal with the low point of her own tenure – dropping “dead” from a heart attack.

Bradbury’s two-year term in the post came to an end at the weekend when she was replaced by vice-president Ian Barr following the SRU’S annual general meeting.

Bradbury, mother of Scotland cap Magnus, has departed the role with words of encouragement for Barr – and the hope he avoids the health scare she experienced earlier this summer.

The first-ever woman president of a “tier one” rugby union suffered a cardiac arrest in June and had to be revived by husband, Nick, with the use of a community defibrillator.

Following surgery, she is now recovering at home. She quipped: “To drop ‘dead’ after a (Scottish Rugby) Council meeting… well, that’s hopefully the first and last for any president.

“But I wouldn’t put the cardiac arrest down to any particular reason. It could have happened at any time.

“Ian has a strong foundation in the clubs, has done great things at Lasswade and forged successful partnerships.

“Being president is a fantastic experience. It is hard work but if you put in the hard work, you absolutely reap the reward.”

Despite making history with her stewardship of the SRU, Bradbury is adamant she will not look back on her time in office as being defined by her gender.

She told the Scottish Rugby website: “It was never going to be about that for me. Rugby in Scotland is welcoming to anyone and everyone, and the most important thing is to continue to demonstrate that and encourage more people to become involved in our game.

“From the outset, being elected president was, for me, not about feminism, women’s rights, even women’s rugby. It just so happens I’m a woman.

“Over the two years, the amount of constructive feedback I’ve received has been phenomenal.”

Dee Bradbury. Picture: SNS Group.