The Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Harris and James Slipper to the RUPA Board, as Player Directors nominated by Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds players respectively.
Click here to view the full RUPA Board of Directors.
Wallaby No. 855 Harris succeeds new Melbourne Rebels captain Nic Stirzaker, who steps down after two years on the Board; whilst Wallaby No. 843 Slipper replaces former Reds teammate James Horwill, who departed Australia in late 2015 having been on the Board since 2010.
In addition to these new appointments, incumbent RUPA President, Benn Robinson, and Waratahs Player Director, Bernard Foley, were both also re-elected for a further term of two years.
RUPA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ross Xenos welcomed the appointment of all four players to the Board.
“Having players volunteer to be actively involved in the governance and strategic direction of their association is paramount to RUPA’s capacity to promote the interests of all Australian professional players, and the game more broadly,” Xenos said.
“Both Benn and Bernard have been exceptional contributors to RUPA during their first terms on the Board, which is no great surprise given their experiences, intelligence and integrity as people. Their re-election provides RUPA with great stability and continuity, which will be important given negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement will commence shortly.
“Mike and James have both been highly engaged in RUPA’s activities in recent years and their appointment to the RUPA Board is testament to the esteem in which they’re held within their teams. We’re looking forward to leveraging their feedback and getting their fresh perspectives on how we can continue to advance Australian Rugby as a sport of choice for all aspiring athletes.”
In addition to Robinson and Foley, Slipper and Harris join fellow Wallabies Matt Hodgson (Force) and Stephen Moore (Brumbies) as Directors, along with Australian Rugby Sevens representatives Gemma Etheridge and Ed Jenkins who joined the board in November 2015.
Chaired by Bruce Hodgkinson SC, the 13-member RUPA Board also includes three Co-opted Directors in Sally Fielke (General Manager of Corporate Affairs, Sydney Airport), Shannon Parry (Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens & Wallaroos Captain) and Adam Wallace-Harrison (former Super Rugby player and financial services professional), as well as the RUPA CEO.
On behalf of RUPA, Xenos thanked the outgoing Horwill and Stirzaker for their dedicated and committed service.
“Nic is mature beyond his years and with plenty of professional Rugby still ahead of him, I have no doubt he’ll continue to be a proactive contributor to RUPA whether he’s sitting around the Board table or not,” Xenos said.
“James joined the RUPA Board in what was a difficult period of transition for the organisation. Much like his uncompromising nature on the field, he never shirked the responsibilities that came with being a Director and consistently advocated assertively on behalf of all players.”
The new RUPA Board will meet for the first time in the coming months and with pending CBA negotiations very much front of mind.
RUPA’s vision is to support our members to be better people, better players and to live better lives. Intrinsic to that is ensuring the ongoing and sustainable commercial and competitive health of Australian Rugby, which is a constant focus and priority.
Further notes
Benn Robinson made his Waratahs debut in 2006 and made his Wallabies debut that same year in Johannesburg, having previously represented his country at both Schoolboy and U20 level. The 31-year-old has represented Australia on 72 occasions, one of just five props to reach a half century of Tests for the Wallabies, and has made more appearances for the Waratahs (152) than any other player
Bernard Foley debuted for the Waratahs in 2011 after spending the preceding two seasons with the Australian Men’s Rugby Sevens team, the latter as Captain, and kicked the ‘Tahs winning penalty goal in the 2014 Super Rugby Final. Since making his Wallabies debut in 2013, 26-year-old Bernard has scored over 250 Test points in 27 appearances
Mike Harris moved to Australia in 2011 following four seasons with North Harbour in New Zealand’s NPC competition, playing a key role for the Reds on their way to the Super Rugby title that year before making his Wallabies debut against Scotland in 2012. The 27-year-old moved to Melbourne to join the Rebels in 2015
James Slipper, the current Reds Captain, began his professional career with his hometown side in 2010 and has made 81 Super Rugby appearances in that time, playing alongside Harris as they won the 2011 Super Rugby competition. He made his International debut during the same season and has now amassed 74 Test caps despite being just 26-years-old, playing at the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups and becoming the 83rd player to Captain Australia when he led them against the USA in Chicago in September
