Philippines’ new rugby chief Ada Milby waits for the day when women in leadership is no longer a big deal
- The 37-year-old Asia Rugby and World Rugby senior member takes over from Rick Santos after unanimous vote of approval from the board’s trustees
- Milby wants a world where ‘it’s not whether you are male or female but you are the most qualified for the job’
Ada Milby has made history for rugby in the Philippines after becoming the first female president of the country’s governing body.
The 37-year-old former figure skater and American Football player was this week chosen as the new president of the Philippines Rugby Football Union, becoming one of the few but growing number of women who hold leadership positions in world rugby.
Milby, previously secretary general of the PRFU, was elected unanimously by her peers in the body’s executive, with supporters giving recognition to her outstanding work as an Asia Rugby senior member and also World Rugby’s first female council member.
Still active as an elite player, Milby said she hoped a day would come when women rising to leadership positions in sport is no longer news.
“I get that that’s where we’re at in our journey of trying to get more women into leadership positions and I don’t want to undermine the fact that it is terrific that I’m the first female president of Philippines Rugby,” said Milby, who replaces Rick Santos after his eight-year tenure ended.
“But the whole point is we want to get to the stage where it’s not whether you are male or female but you are the most qualified for the job.”
Milby is not the first female leader of a country’s rugby body, according to World Rugby. Rolande Boro is president of the Burkina Faso union, while other high-ranking women include Liza Burgess (Wales RU vice chair), Sisy Quiroz (CEO Peru), Maria Catalina (CEO Colombia), Mariana Mine (CEO Brazil, announced this week) and Keisha Ann-Down (Jamaica vice chair).
World Rugby stressed this is not an exhaustive list, adding: “As part of the transformational women’s strategic plan to accelerate the global development of women in rugby 2017-25 there has been a number of changes implemented to support the development of women both on and off field.
“In 2017, in a historic and unprecedented decision, World Rugby increased the number of people who may sit on council – its highest decision-making body – from 32 to 49, with the 17 newly created positions to be held by women.”
The body said its Executive Women’s Leadership Scholarship programme to help women in rugby has benefited 27 recipients around the world since 2018.
Milby will hope to continue the good work of Santos, who played a leading role in helping the Philippines emerge as one of the strongest teams in Southeast Asia, with the men winning gold and the women silver at last year’s SEA Games.
Santos stays on at the union as secretary general – effectively switching jobs with mother-of-two Milby, who in six years helped to build relations with the Philippines’ sports commission and Olympic body while also driving grass roots development and improving inclusivity.
“More than 50 per cent of employees at the union are female. They have done a great job in increasing diversity and inclusion,” said Milby.
“Rick has led the PRFU through a journey of transformation to professionalise the union and build successful national programmes. It’s this level of professionalism that has ensured the stability of the union during this very challenging year of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’m thankful that Rick will continue to serve in the capacity of sec gen as it will truly take a team to get through these difficult times and his wisdom will continue to be an essential asset to Philippines Rugby.”
