SALLY LOANE yesterday became the first woman in the 134-year history of the NSW Rugby Union to be elected to the board, with her skills rather than her gender making the choice a "no-brainer".
Loane was appointed to an initial three-year term as a non-aligned director after former chairman Arvid Petersen stepped down from the board.
The media and public affairs director at Coca-Cola Amatil, Loane has spent 25 years working in the media.
A renowned rugby nut who initiated the business networking "Women in Rugby" lunches, Loane has followed the sport passionately since she was a schoolgirl.
"It is very exciting for me," she said. "I don't look at the gender issue specifically, I look at the fact that I've been approached because of the skill sets that I bring, but clearly there is a factor, I'm a female.
"I've loved rugby and been a passionate advocate for rugby since I was about 13 years of age when I realised that, of course, the best-looking men played rugby."
AAP
