Nathan Sharpe appointed as new Rugby Australia President, two new board members confirmed

Wallabies great and two-time John Eales Medalist Nathan Sharpe has been named as the new Rugby Australian President.

On top of this, Kathleen Bozanic and Louise Higgins have been named as non-executive Board Directors.

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Sharpe will take over the Presidency from Joe Roff after the Brumbies' great concluded his two-year term at RA's Annual General Meeting on Wednesday.

The lock was the foundation captain for the Western Force, featuring in 162 games for the club and the Queensland Reds.

Sharpe debuted for the Wallabies in 2002 and played 116 Tests, named Australia's best player in 2007 and 2012.

Post-career, Sharpe currently serves as a Director at Talisman whilst also owning and operating an F45 gym in Brisbane.

Meanwhile, Bozanic and Higgins replace Pip Marlow, who stepped down at the end of 2024.

Bozanic is the Chief Financial Officer and previously served as a Non-Executive Director, of IGO Ltd, whilst serving on the Rugby WA Board.

As for Higgins, the Executive General Manager Strategy, Transformation and Data at ANZ has also been the Managing Director of Suncorp Intergration.

"On behalf of everyone at Rugby Australia, I would like to welcome Nathan, Kath and Lou to the Board following today's Annual General Meeting," RA Chair Dan Herbert said in a statement.

"All three were put forward after a thorough nominations process and have received the overwhelming support of Australian Rugby's stakeholders.

"I look forward to their positive contributions to the RA Board as Australian Rugby enters a generational runway of major events and opportunities.

"I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Joe Roff and Pip Marlow, who have concluded their terms as RA's President and non-executive Board Director respectively. Both have helped position the game for future success and I am grateful for their contributions."