Former Fijiana captain Lailanie Burnes was elected to the Fiji Rugby Union board at today’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Novotel Suva Lami Bay.

Burnes replaced Laijipa Naulivou who was terminated in February.

Board chairman John Sanday said Burnes confirmation as a director of rugby is a milestone.

“Lailanie (Burnes) comes with her own body of work that she’s done and she’s no stranger. She has achieved every possible achievement in rugby that any woman or any rugby player would have done,” Sanday said.

“She’s a master trainer, captained Fiji, and played sevens, organised clubs and one of the pioneers of women’s rugby in Fiji.

“We are thrilled to have her on board, and particularly her skills in the marketing space and looking forward to her contribution, but more importantly, it’s a signal and to the women and the girls of Fiji that there’s a pathway in rugby.”

Burnes who is the chief marketing officer of Extra Supermarket is a World Rugby accredited level 3 coach. She is also a World Rugby coach educator and trainer and World Rugby Capgemini Women in Rugby scholar.

Burnes was nominated by Nadi Rugby Union and seconded by Yasawa Rugby Union.

Meanwhile, Sanday indicated other matters discussed included securing of land for a stadium and develop more high performance centres and academies.