Trailfinders Women player Abi Burton has been elected chair of the Rugby Players Association’s first Women’s Rugby Board, the union body said.
Burton will serve for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, with Bristol Bears player Jenny Hesketh elected vice chair. RPA members voted in June to create separate men’s and women’s boards, a change the organisation said was designed to provide player-led representation and wellbeing support tailored to each environment.
Burton said: “I’m really proud to have been elected Chair of the first Women’s Rugby Board. It’s an important opportunity to ensure players’ voices are heard.” Hesketh said she wanted to “bring together the voices of the Board as a collective” and create “an open space for new conversations”.
Rachael Burford, the RPA head of women’s rugby, said: “I am truly thrilled to announce the establishment of our inaugural Women’s Rugby Board. This exceptional group embodies a remarkable diversity of backgrounds and experiences.”
The board includes representatives from Bristol Bears, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester Hartpury, Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, Loughborough Lightning, Sale Sharks, Saracens and Trailfinders Women.
The RPA said board members are undertaking governance training through a programme funded by the Sports Governance Academy and delivered by the Chartered Governance Institute.
