World Rugby Appoints Sally Horrox as Director of Women's Rugby

(25 Feb 2022)  World Rugby has appointed Sally Horrox as Director of Women’s Rugby, effective early May 2022.

Sally has an impressive wealth of management and board level experience in sport and business, and will be responsible for World Rugby’s transformational Women in Rugby 2017-25 plan, which was refreshed in late 2021.

Sally Horrox

A former non-executive director of England Netball, advisor to UEFA, international football federations and The FA, Sally has played a leading role in the success of the Vitality Netball Super League and the FA Women’s Super League, with her deep sport, commercial, legal insights and knowledge.

Sally will join a restructured Strategy and Communications department within World Rugby under Chief Strategy Officer, Mihir Warty.

“I’m delighted and hugely privileged to be joining World Rugby to lead what is regarded as the most significant area of growth for the game globally. With increased investment, two World Cups this year and the launch of WXV, a new annual women’s global competition in 2023, it is an incredibly exciting time for the sport,” Sally said. “I am committed to accelerating the development of women in rugby at every level, and to promoting player welfare and gender equity in all that we do.”

Sally will step down in April from her role as joint Managing Partner of Y Sport, the international sports and brand consultancy which she co-founded in 2015 with Sally Hancock.

World Rugby Chief Executive, Alan Gilpin, said, “Sally is well known in the sports industry for getting results and brings with her considerable commercial, legal and strategic acumen and a deep understanding of the community and elite sports environments on an international basis. She knows how to successfully develop women’s sport and has a proven track record in major events, developing new competition structures and restructuring commercial rights.”