Bond Rugby announces Board appointments

Bond University Rugby Club President, Dr Manny Pohl today announced the addition of two new Board members.

Ms Selena Tranter and Ms Janelle Manders have been appointed onto the Board to assist the Bullsharks in the development of new programs including a pathway for Women’s 7s.

Ms Tranter is a highly decorated Australian rugby player having achieved representative honours in the national Women’s 7s team from 1994 to 2009 including an astonishing four World Cups, five years as the national captain from 2002, selection in the World XV team of the year in 2004, and the crowning glory of the World Championship in 2009. 

Ms Tranter is an experienced coach and continues to be involved in the game in her role as coach of the National Indigenous Women’s 7s team. 

Ms Tranter is no stranger to sports governance bodies having sat on the Board of Queensland Country Rugby Union, various national reference groups and she has completed the ‘Women on Boards’ program.

Ms Tranter said she is looking forward to taking on the role at Bond University Rugby.

“I have been involved in the game for over the past 20 years of my life.  I am very excited by what Bond University is doing and I believe I can contribute positively to the club’s development,” she said.

Joining Ms Tranter is the Managing Director of HLB Mann Judd Chartered Accountants on the Gold Coast, Ms Janelle Manders. 

While she is highly respected for her business acumen and corporate connections, Ms Manders brings a wealth of experience in the non-profit and sports arena.

In addition to significant Board and Director experience, Ms Manders served for six years on the Foundation Board of the Gold Coast Suns AFL Club, served as a Director of Careflight and also on the Board of the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE.

Ms Manders confesses to having rugby in her blood as her father was a stalwart for the game sharing his passion with her and her brothers from the hill at Ballymore.

“I have watched the game of rugby develop since I was a young child. The game is so much more inclusive today with players drawn from all sections of the community, and new pathways and programs opening all the time,” Ms Manders said.

These appointments follow in the wake of the Pearls success at the Rio Olympics where the Australian team defeated New Zealand in the gold medal play-off in Women’s 7s. 

Further, the women’s game has been bolstered by the recent announcement by the Australian Rugby Union of the formation of a new national program for Women’s 7s built around a varsity-style competition, with the inaugural season scheduled for 2017.

Club President Dr Pohl noted that planning had been underway for over 12 months for the club to branch out into the women’s game.

“We have been on the front foot and much work and planning has gone on behind the scenes to position us as a club that embraces the diversity of the game,” he said.

“We believe that the talent on the Gold Coast is there for a successful women’s rugby program. We needed to grow our capability and expertise, together with providing great leadership, and this is what both Selena and Janelle bring to the Board and more widely the Club.”

Bond University’s Executive Director of Sport, Mr Garry Nucifora noted the exciting times that lie ahead for the rugby club.

“Our men’s XV’s teams showed improvement again this year with three out of the four teams reaching the Queensland finals,” Mr Nucifora said.

“The culture at the club is very good and supportive of the development of players to reach their potential.  The appointment of both Selena and Janelle will reinforce the club’s great culture and environment.”