A pioneer of the Women’s game, celebrated coach and former Wales captain, Burgess became the first female director to be elected to the Board via the route of winning a member club vote, in November 2019.
Her appointment completes a period of transition which has seen Robert Butcher take over from Gareth Davies as chairman and former group finance director Steve Phillips installed as CEO in place of the departing Martyn Phillips.
Ieuan Evans, who filled the position vacated by Davies when he won election to the Board, also replaces the former chair as one of the WRU’s three nominated representatives on World Rugby – alongside new chair Butcher and Executive Board member Julie Paterson who both continue in the roles.
Another door opens for Ieuan Evans who won a place on the WRU Board earlier this month
Evans, the former Carmarthen Quins, Llanelli, Bath, Wales and British & Irish Lions wing who has forged a distinguished ambassadorial and media career since retirement, also joins the Lions Board alongside CEO Phillips.
Elsewhere the WRU chairman, Butcher, and CEO, Phillips, will represent the WRU on the Six Nations Board.
Newly elected WRU Chairman Robert Butcher at his local rugby club Bargoed RFC.
“It is an honour and a privilege to welcome Liza to the position of vice-chair of the WRU Board,” said chairman Rob Butcher.
“Liza has been an integral member of our Board since her election in 2019 and though she is joined by other senior female figures in Amanda Blanc and Aileen Richards, as an elected representative she is a particularly powerful role model for the new breed of Board member we all hope our clubs will continue to help us produce.
“We also welcome Ieuan to two vitally important positions, on World Rugby and with the Lions, and I know he will represent Welsh rugby to the very highest of standards in both roles.”
