Burford and Naoupu join the team at International Rugby Players

England’s Rachael Burford and Ireland’s Sene Naoupu have joined the staff at the global player’s body.

The international stars have taken up the positions as Head of Women’s Rugby and Head of Strategic Projects and Research, respectively.

Players CEO Omar Hassanein said: “We’re delighted to welcome Rachael and Sene to the team at International Rugby Players.

“As well as having fantastic playing experience, both have worked with us on different projects over the years and will be able to hit the ground running. I look forward to them making a positive impact in our team and for players across the world.”  

📢ANNOUNCEMENT 📢

We are excited to announce that @RachaelBurf12 and @SeneNaoupu are joining the staff here at International Rugby Players. Welcome to the team, ladies!

Read more: https://t.co/IE3KV1rz7z pic.twitter.com/koYMml9Msb

— InternationalRugbyPlayers (@IntRugbyPlayers) March 10, 2021

A Women’s Rugby World Cup winner in 2014, Rachael Burford was the recipient of the International Rugby Players Special Merit award with Richie McCaw in 2017 for her work for with the players movement.

“It’s fantastic to join a great team at International Rugby Players,” said Burford.

“The organisation has achieved so much for men’s and women’s rugby in the past few years and I’m looking forward to working with players around the world to enhance that.

“Women’s rugby is still not where it needs to be and I hope to represent the voice of women’s players to ensure that promises and words are followed up with actions.”

From New Zealand, Sene Naoupu has played for Ireland since 2015 at both 15s and Sevens and has experience in sports strategy consulting with unions and federations. She also represents players on World Rugby’s Women’s Advisory Committee and is relishing her new role with the global player’s representative body.

“I’ve worked with Omar and the team on several projects before and I’m really looking forward to this new role,” said Naoupu.

“I will focus on a range of projects, including the global personal development program for players, establishing minimum standards for players in emerging nations and I’ll look at ways to better assist retired players around the world.

“I’ll also work with Rachael on the growth and commercialisation of the Women’s game. It’s a hugely exciting role at a time when rugby is developing as a professional sport and we need to look at new ways to face those challenges.”