Maggie Alphonsi to stand for election to become RFU president

Maggie Alphonsi is to stand for election to become president of the Rugby Football Union, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

If successful, Alphonsi, who won the World Cup with England in 2014, would create history by becoming the first woman and person of colour to hold the office.

The 38-year-old has revealed she is declaring her intention to stand now in order to give herself a chance to become president of the union in 2025 to coincide with England hosting the Women’s World Cup. If elected, she will be 40 by the time she takes office, which would also make her the youngest-ever president of the RFU.

Alphonsi, who is widely regarded as the highest-profile name in international women’s rugby union, said the primary reason for standing for the presidency was to accelerate needed change within the game, particularly in continuing to progress the women’s game and to speak to diverse and new audiences.

"The time is right to stand," said Alphonsi, who was elected to the RFU council in 2016, after a glittering playing career that saw her win 74 England caps, including a record seven successive Six Nations titles and also reaching the World Cup finals in 2006 and 2010.

She is also a highly-regarded rugby pundit in the men’s and women’s game, working for ITV, the BBC and Sky Sports and sits on the board at Saracens.

"The first goal was to help England win the right to host the World Cup in 2025 and now the most important thing for me is the visibility of being a proactive leader and role model within the game.

"As a former player, Jason Leonard did a fantastic job as RFU president in 2015 when we hosted the men’s World Cup and if I was elected to be in that position in 2025 it would send out a clear statement to the world that the RFU is definitely forward-thinking in ensuring that we lead with diversity and get a different range of perspectives, opinions and voices on the sport.

"It is not just about being a woman, a person of colour or a certain age, it would highlight that as a governing body we are moving away from stereotypes and showing that we are the modern game and that sport is open for all, including the senior leadership roles as well. That is what makes 2025 so poignant.

"I would see it as a top priority to ignite and connect the game to get behind the World Cup and support the different teams."

The process of becoming president requires candidates to first spend two years as junior and then senior vice-president. To do so Alphonsi must put herself forward for election to the RFU council nominations committee in November.

"When I came on to the council I wanted to make a difference, not just sit there and float through my term. The natural conclusion to my goal was to become president and it would be a huge honour," added Alphonsi, who currently sits on the RFU’s community game board and the diversity and inclusion implementation working group. She also previously sat on the rugby growth and game development committees.

"I grew up in a council estate in north London when access into rugby was not easy and it was particularly difficult to find a club that had a girls' section. Thankfully that barrier was overcome, and I started playing at the age of 13 and finding rugby saved my life.

"I have worked at the RFU as a club coach officer and then a divisional manager and now I sit on various council committees. I have gone through the pathway and I want people to be aware that it is possible.

"We have made massive strides in the last two years in terms of diversity with regards to race and ethnicity and the women’s game has taken major strides over the last 10 years.

"The RFU have done a really good job at getting different people in positions and we have been moving in a very good direction. I just want to make sure that in 2025 that we can really be a true representation of the game.

"Can you imagine if we had a female president in a very visible role, talking to stakeholders and really inspiring women, girls and people from more diverse backgrounds? Being truly representative of the ambitions and opportunity the RFU have to increase their reach and participation. But at its core it is about showing everyone, no matter who they are, that there is an opportunity to progress up the leadership ladder."