Rugby Africa’s Paula Lanco Appointed to World Rugby’s Regulations Committee
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Today, Rugby Africa (https://www.rugbyafrique.com), the continental governing body of rugby in Africa, proudly announces the appointment of Paulina (Paula) Lanco to World Rugby’s Regulations Committee. This prestigious appointment marks the ongoing commitment of both Rugby Africa and World Rugby to fostering women’s leadership within the sport, ensuring diverse perspectives and decision making at the highest levels of governance.
“I am honored to have been selected for this role. It represents the culmination of significant efforts by both World Rugby and Rugby Africa to ensure due representation across all areas of the game. I am especially proud to represent both the Africa region and the growing number of women in rugby leadership,” stated Paula Lanco.
World Rugby, the global governing body for rugby (https://www.world.rugby), actively promotes gender diversity in decision-making roles. Through initiatives such as the Capgemini Women in Rugby Leadership Programme, World Rugby continues to invest in emerging female leaders. Likewise, Rugby Africa’s 2024 LUNEX Sports Management Training Programme aim to develop women’s rugby leaders across the African continent. These initiatives reflect a shared vision for greater female representation and influence in rugby’s development, benefiting society at large.
Currently serving as a World Rugby Board Member, a Rugby Africa Executive Committee (EXCO) Member and the Chairperson of the Women’s Rugby Advisory Committee (WRAC), Lanco has been a key figure in advancing women’s participation in rugby. Prior to 2017, she served as a Director of the Kenya Rugby Union, where she was responsible for both community and women’s rugby programs. She is also the Founder of the RUCKiT Girls Rugby Program in Kenya, a TAFISA (The Association For International Sport For All) Certified Leadership Course in Sport for All Facilitator and was recently appointed Co-Chairperson of the Women Sports Africa Network (WSAN).
Beyond rugby, Lanco has a strong professional background, having worked in senior roles in the banking sector for over 20 years before retiring in 2021 to establish PaulinaiNC (PiNC) Consultants. Her consultancy firm specializes in governance, compliance, and fundraising, with a primary focus on nonprofits and tech startups. Lanco holds an advanced diploma in sports management from the International Career Institute (UK) and is currently pursuing further certification through the RA-Lunex Women’s Sports Management Program.
The World Rugby Executive Board is responsible for nominations and appointments to the committee, with terms reviewed annually. Lanco’s selection reinforces her distinguished contributions to the sport, highlighting the collective efforts of Rugby Africa and World Rugby to ensure women are represented in sport’s leadership roles.
World Rugby Regulations Committee Members:
- Bob Latham (Chair)
- Sally Dennis
- Alan Gilpin
- Sol Iglesias
- Alys Lewis (IRP Representative)
- Paulina Lanco
- Mark Robinson
- Bill Sweeney
- Abi Tierney
- IRP (TBC)
For more information: https://www.world.rugby/organisation/governance/structure/council-committees
Media Contact:
Nicole Vervelde
Communications Advisor
nicole.vervelde@rugbyafrique.com
About Rugby Africa:
Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 40 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.
