The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) have announced the appointment of former Reds and Wallabies skipper James Horwill to their board as the Rugby Union Players Association-nominated director.
The former second-row forward replaces former Wallabies and Brumbies outside back Pat Howard, who has stepped down from his position to take up a role with the Australian Sports Commission.
Horwill is one of the legends of Australian rugby, who represented the Reds in 116 matches and won 62 Test caps for Australia.
The 38-year-old captained the Reds when they were crowned Super Rugby champions in 2011 and was also in the leadership position with Australia later that year when they reached the Rugby World Cup semi-finals in New Zealand.
Horwill also skippered the Wallabies during their three-Test series against the British & Irish Lions in Australia in 2013.
Following a nine-year stint with the Reds, he moved to Premiership outfit Harlequins in 2015 and spent four seasons there of which the latter two was as captain.
Horwill, who is the group general manager for a Queensland firm which is a global leader in the automotive accessories industry, is excited to to be serving on the QRU board.
“I am thrilled to join the board of the Queensland Rugby Union at such a critical and exciting time for rugby in Australia,” he said. “With a number of major rugby events on the horizon, we have an incredible opportunity to grow and develop the sport.”
“I am honored to bring my experience as a player and in the corporate world to help guide the QRU’s high-performance strategy and contribute to the bright future of rugby in Queensland and Australia.”
QRU chairman Brett Clark is delighted that Horwill is joining the union and said he will bring both high-level sports and corporate experience to the board.
‘Tremendous addition’
“James is undoubtedly one of Queensland rugby’s finest players this century and he will be a tremendous addition to helping guide the high-performance strategy of the QRU,” he said.
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