Woman chief of the Valley

Allison Sutherland is the new chief executive of the Thames Valley Rugby Union - a rare case of a woman being in charge in the national sport.

East Coast was organised for many years by Kath McLean, and now Sutherland has taken over at another small union.

Sutherland was the Bay of Plenty union's secretary and finance/administration manager, and has been on their management team for four years. She takes over next month from Bill Fleming, who resigned. Thames Valley were saved from relegation last year when the second division was expanded.