Former Ireland international Lynne Cantwell has been appointed as the Irish Rugby Football Union’s (IRFU) new Head of Women’s Strategy for Irish Rugby.
Cantwell won 86 caps for Ireland during her playing career and still holds the record for the most-capped Irish women’s player in history.
Lynne Cantwell leaves South Africa role for new IRFU post
The Six Nations Grand Slam winner is currently the Women’s High Performance Manager for the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and will take up her new post with the IRFU from 2025. In the interim, she will continue her work with the SARU in an advisory capacity.
Commenting on the news, Cantwell said: “I am excited about joining the IRFU at a time when there is much commitment and optimism around the Women’s game.”
“Having started my own rugby career through the Club and Domestic game in Ireland, I am passionate about the journey for women and girls taking up and playing the sport and ensuring they experience a pathway from bottom to top that enables them to reach their full potential.”
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She added: “I am grateful to the IRFU for facilitating me in concluding some of my work with the SARU during a transitionary period. I am looking forward to getting started in the New Year.”
Back in June, the IRFU launched an ambitious plan for rugby in Ireland, with the aim to “accelerate the development of the Women’s game”, and per the IRFU statement, “Cantwell’s appointment is a key milestone in the delivery of that commitment.”
IRFU Chief Executive, Kevin Potts, said: “Welcoming Lynne to Irish Rugby as Head of Women’s Strategy is a huge step in our journey, and I believe a major statement of intent about our collective ambition for Women’s Rugby in Ireland.”
He added: “Lynne’s leadership, both on and off the field, is exemplary and we are excited about the impact she will have in advancing Women’s Rugby across Ireland and internationally in the coming years.”
The Women’s game in Ireland received a huge boost last month, as they finished second in the WXV 1 pool stage and also recorded a famous 29-27 win over New Zealand in the process.
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