Exco Candidacy Marks First For World Rugby

Asia Rugby Executive Committee Member and Philippines Rugby President Ada Milby could be the first woman to win a seat.

Philippines Rugby President Ada Milby is so used to blazing trails, she’s built her career on it. In high school, she was the first female to join the men’s American football team.

In 2017, she became World Rugby Council’s first female member. Now, she’s vying to be the first woman elected to the Executive Committee.

If elected, she would open doors for more inclusion and bring the Executive Committee’s 10% female representation closer to its target of 40%.

She would also bring a voice and perspective from emerging markets that will connect with new and young audiences, so critical for the game’s ongoing success.

Asia Rugby today is officially announcing Milby’s candidacy. She brings with her two decades of Rugby experience —nearly half of which she has spent in governance.

As Asia Rugby’s Women’s Advisory Committee Chair, Milby champions initiatives for equitable competition pathways.

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Seen as a role model for her outstanding career in rugby management, she has overseen doubling the number of women on Asia Rugby’s Exco and achieving female representation across all Asia Rugby committees.

From captaining the national 15’s and 7’s teams to building grassroots rugby as a Development Officer, Milby experienced first-hand how the hosting of world class events like RWC 2019 Japan can drive new innovations in emerging markets like Asia.

Success in her campaign could further inspire an inclusive, diverse, future-ready rugby for all.

World Rugby has aspirations to be a global leader for best practice in governance standards. “There is real strategic value in having diverse thought at the highest level to ensure rugby is the sport of choice for everyone” says Milby of the opportunity.

“The impacts of COVID on the current environment coupled with pre-existing challenges to sport such as digital and technological disruptions, highlight the need to increase participation through innovative solutions and develop strong competitions in emerging markets for the long term sustainability of the Game”.