The Narromine-born Olympian was appointed as a director of the Manly Sea Eagles board last week after a push by NRL chief executive David Gallop to see more women in senior roles.

Two weeks ago Manly’s chairman, Bob Riley, rang Mrs Gainsford-Taylor to see if she would take on the job.

“At the time I was really honoured.

At the same time I had to really think about it because it’s a big decision,” she said.

After consulting her husband and no doubt her father Brian Gainsford, a Narromine resident with a long history in sports administration, the sprinter agreed.

“I had to have a look at myself because you have to ask ‘what can I offer (the club)?’” she said.

“Now I am really excited about it.”

“I think it will be challenging, it is not going to be an easy job.”

Currently there are only five females in 102 board positions among the NRL’s 16 teams.

Gallop’s plan to enlist more women is an attempt to tame the NRL’s wild underbelly which has led to a series of damaging incidents that would make the NSW Government blush.

Before the season’s first whistle

was blown Manly-star Brett Stewart

was charged with sexual assault

after the club’s launch and his

status as ‘the new face of footy’ was shattered.

At the same event team-mate Anthony Watmough was alleged to have punched a club sponsor after insulting his daughter.

Mrs Gainsford-Taylor admitted it had been a “tough year” for Manly and believes a feminine presence could soothe some of the testosterone- fuelled behaviour.

But she also believes the media is fixated on the NRL which she said does not own exclusive rights over the mistreatment of women.

She is supportive of bringing more women into the game and said players are too but “only if they have the credentials to do it.”

“You don’t want to be there just as a female, you have to be able to bring skills and experience,” she said.