The Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) is pleased to announce the election of Australian Sevens players, Ed Jenkins and Gemma Etheridge as the first ever Sevens Player Directors to its Board. The announcement comes following amendments to its Constitution, which included the addition of a Men’s and Women’s Sevens Director to the Board as unanimously agreed by all members at RUPA’s Annual General Meeting in April this year.
Both Ed and Gemma were elected by their peers within the current Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens squad respectively. They join the five existing Player Directors (one from each of the Australian Super Rugby teams) on the Board, together with the RUPA Chairman Bruce Hodgkinson, President Benn Robinson, CEO Ross Xenos and the three Co-Opted Directors, including fellow Australian Sevens representative, Shannon Parry, former Queensland Reds player, Adam Wallace-Harrison and Sydney Airport’s General Manager of Corporate Affairs, Sally Fielke.
RUPA President, Benn Robinson commended Ed and Gemma on their election to the RUPA Board.
“Ed and Gemma’s appointment shows they have the faith and support of their peers, who have clearly recognised leadership qualities in electing them to the RUPA Board,” Robinson said.
“It will be really good to have them around the Board table as their presence will add further diversity to our ongoing discussions about player issues, concerns and ideas for the game.
“The Men’s and Women’s Sevens’ profile on the global sporting stage is continuing to increase and, as the 2016 Rio Olympics edge closer, Ed and Gemma’s insight will be extremely valuable in ensuring players’ points of view are considered within the wider rugby environment.
“With the Olympics in mind, on behalf of all players, I’d like to wish Ed and our Australian Men’s Sevens side all the best as they look to qualify at the Oceania Sevens in New Zealand this weekend.”
Ed has been one of the most committed stalwarts within the Australian Men’s Sevens program since his international debut back in 2008. As the most-capped Australian Men’s Sevens player of all time, Ed has featured in two Rugby World Cup Sevens and two Commonwealth Games.
Gemma started her international Sevens career at the end of 2012 on the Women’s Sevens Series circuit. Since then she has proven to be a powerful component of the Australian Women’s Sevens success story across the last few years. Off the field, Gemma has been just as successful with a degree and professional career as a radiographer and MRI Technician.
Both Ed and Gemma are one-half of a set of twins. Gemma’s twin sister Nikki is a recent Australian Sevens representative, while Ed’s brother Jono, a former Super Rugby player, currently plays his rugby for Narbonne in France.
As the two new Sevens Directors, they will join the RUPA Board for their first time at the next meeting later this year.
Current RUPA Board Directors
Chairman – Bruce Hodgkinson SC
President – Benn Robinson
Player Directors – Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs), Nic Stirzaker (Melbourne Rebels), Matt Hodgson (Western Force), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Ed Jenkins (Men’s Sevens), Gemma Etheridge (Women’s Sevens)
Co-opted Director – Shannon Parry (Women’s Sevens & Wallaroos), Adam Wallace-Harrison, Sally Fielke
CEO – Ross Xenos
Positions to be filled
The Player Director for Queensland Reds will be elected in January 2016 following the resignation of long-serving Director James Horwill, who is now playing rugby in the UK.
