The ACT Brumbies will move away from having a current player on the ACT Rugby Union board and task Super Rugby great Joe Roff with adding input from the players' perspective.
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The Canberra Times understands Roff is likely to be appointed as the new players' representative at the Brumbies' board meeting next month, pending approval from the Rugby Union Players' Association.
It's a move away from the approach of the past at a club which is known for its player power.
The Brumbies have also employed Dr Michael Crawford to conduct an extensive review into the governance structures and strategic framework of the franchise. Roff's likely addition to the board is not part of that review.
The former Wallabies and Brumbies winger will be used to help the players convey their messages to the hierarchy.
Adam Ashley-Cooper was the players' representative on the board last year and was in the meetings which led to coach Andy Friend's demise.
Because of his playing commitments, Ashley-Cooper was only able to attend a handful of meetings.
He then resigned from his position on the board in March after announcing he had signed a deal to join the NSW Waratahs for the 2012 Super Rugby campaign.
The Brumbies have decided to use Roff because he spent almost a decade at the club as a player and he will be available to provide a link between the players and the board members.
Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan confirmed yesterday Crawford had started his review and was expected to deliver his findings in April.
Fagan does not expect an overhaul and said the board wanted to ensure it was heading in the right direction.
''We have been reviewing a lot of things across the whole organisation over the last 12 months and we wanted to look at the governance structure and the broader strategic framework,'' Fagan said.
''The board decided it wanted this review to make sure we were appropriately structured and the board was comprised of the right people to meet the challenges the business faces.
''Dr Michael Crawford is an expert in that area and it's to maximise our business success … we've made minor changes but we wanted to make sure we were looking at it in totality.''
The Brumbies' board will have eight members if Roff's move is approved, as well as chairman Sean Hammond and president Geoff Larkham.
Some members are elected while others are appointed because of their positions.
PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Terry Weber and John Gillespie have recently joined the board as well as club rugby player representative Jim Crompton.
Roff was on the board last year, but his position is likely to change to ensure there is input from a past player who can also liaise with the current generation of Brumbies.
Crawford's review will not cover the Brumbies' rugby program.
When new coach Jake White arrived last year, he set about overhauling the playing roster and the coaching staff structure.
Crawford has previously helped review soccer's governing body, the FFA, and the ARU.
''It's more about our structure, we're not looking at any more changes to the rugby program,'' Fagan said.
''We've got some on the board elected by clubs, others who are there by their positions and it's just about ensuring the right people are there.''
