Clare Barrell joins ACG advisory board for Africa projects

Clare Barrell, World Rugby’s Director of International Relations and Member Services, has joined the advisory board of African Collaborations Group (ACG). Her appointment is intended to support the development and structuring of integrated sport and entertainment hubs across Africa.

Barrell oversees World Rugby’s institutional links with its member federations and six regional associations, including Rugby Afrique. Her responsibilities include coordinating development investment, supporting governance standards, delivering capacity-building and technical assistance programmes, and managing engagement with governments, sports bodies and event stakeholders.

She previously held senior positions at UK Sport, the British agency responsible for investing public and lottery funding in Olympic and Paralympic sport and delivering international sports development programmes. During that period, Barrell led initiatives in more than 40 countries and gained experience across Africa, including work involving sports diplomacy, governance and different national development environments.

ACG describes itself as a platform focused on originating and structuring commercially viable sports and entertainment ecosystems. Barrell’s experience links international governing bodies, national federations, governments and development-finance institutions, areas relevant to the group’s planned projects. The advisory board provides strategic guidance as ACG develops these hubs across the continent.