Boroughmuir rugby and community sports club appoints Melissa Singh to the board and Vicki Scott as new Honorary Vice President.
With 2018 being a tipping point for gender equality and more women playing rugby than ever before, Boroughmuir Rugby Club has announced that it has strengthened its leadership team with two women appointees.
For the first time its near 100-year history, the Edinburgh rugby club has appointed a woman to its Board, with Melissa Singh joining the Meggetland club as Marketing and Communications Director.
Although the club’s constitution has never prevented women joining or being on the Board, this is the first time it has happened in the club’s 98-year history.
The improvements to its leadership team are the latest indication of Boroughmuir’s ambitions following on from last year launching a Youth Rugby Academy and recently applying for the Scottish Rugby Union’s Super 6.
Singh joins the Board after initially getting involved in the club in 2017. Having studied law at Glasgow University, she has enjoyed a successful career in the public and private sector, and is currently Commercial Manager at Atos. She also holds non-executive roles with a publishing company and a property management company.
Singh said: “I am delighted to get involved with a club that makes such a positive difference to its local community. The club’s focus on being very inclusive and friendly while developing young people to be the best they can be is really inspiring.”
Vicki Scott has also been appointed as the Honorary Vice President. This honourary position is usually awarded to past presidents, but exceptions are occasionally made. Vicki, who has been a member of the club for 15 years, was awarded the position in honour of the outstanding service she has given to the club over many years. In her new role, Scott will be an ambassador for the club and she will focus on fund raising activities and drive the club forward.
During her time at the club, Scott has contributed in a variety of ways, from managing pre-match lunches to fundraising with The Bill McLaren Foundation.
Most notably, she has played a key role in connecting the youth section of the club with the senior club, a major step-change for the club.
Scott said: “My children both developed their love of rugby at Boroughmuir and I’ve always enjoyed contributing to the club, so I’m hugely proud to be appointed as Honorary Vice President and look forward to helping driving the club forward.”
Stevie Douglas, President of Boroughmuir, said: “Last month when our Under 16 side won the National Cup the team dedicated the win to Vicki, which says it all.”
Douglas added: “We are delighted to welcome Melissa to the Board and Vicki as Honourary Vice President.
“Melissa will bring drive and energy to the club, while Vicki will continue to help the club towards a strong family and community-based future. While we recognise that this the first time the club has appointed a woman to the board, we hope this will encourage other female figures to get involved and lead to an even greater gender balance in future.”
Boroughmuir is one of only a handful of Scottish rugby clubs with women in senior roles. The Scottish Rugby Union has been moving positively in this direction with Lesley Thomson, formerly of Melrose, as a non-executive director, and Dee Bradbury, previously at Oban, as Vice President.
The club supports the development of women’s rugby. Through its Youth Academy the club currently supports around 32 school-aged girls to rugby train. Moving forward, the club wants to build on the growing interest in the female game and has a desire to create a formal women’s team.
