McIlroy was elected president at the club’s annual meeting, taking over from Tim Wright who had served for the past two years, with McIlroy as his vice-president.
She said it meant a lot to be the first woman to lead the club.
“It’s overwhelming, actually. I guess I didn’t think it was a big deal, but from all the phone calls and messages and Facebook blowing up, it’s pretty cool.
“I'm feeling quite confident, and knowing I have the team behind me with their support, I think it will be great.
“We’re just going to carry on with what we've been working on.
“I don’t think it will be an enormous workload from what I’ve already been doing.”
McIlroy’s involvement with Darfield began through her husband, Blair, a flanker for the club’s division 1 team who has played more than 300 games.
She started out supporting him from the sidelines before stepping up to help when their son Jack began playing five years ago.
McIlroy managed his junior team and joined the senior committee.
“I was the mum/wife/partner representation (on the committee),” she said.
“Then two years ago, Tim asked if I wanted to join the execs, being vice president.”
McIlroy said her new role was mainly about being “the face of the club” and someone people could approach.
“For most of the big decisions, we have an executive committee like any sports club. I luckily don’t have to make the hard decisions on my own.”
“I think it’s just about getting my feet under the desk, making sure everyone feels listened to.
“I’d love to get teams in most age groups, right from year 1.
“We’re trying really hard to get an under-18 team this year, which will be incredible, and I’d like to build our junior players and just continue the good things we’ve been doing.”
Growing women’s and girls’ rugby at the club will be a key focus, McIlroy said.
“With the way women’s rugby is at the moment, and how strong it is, I think it is important to have a female team, and for the kids to realise it’s not just for men, women can do these jobs as well.”
This year, the club fielded one standalone girls’ team, in year 9/10, with younger age groups mixed-gender.
McIlroy did not know she was the first female president until she was elected.
“I didn’t really think of that until we were in the AGM and it was brought up, and I was like, ‘oh, shivers, like ever?’ and they're like, ‘yeah, you’re the first’.”
McIlroy is believed to be just the fourth female president of an Ellesmere rugby club, after Shona Mehlhopt (Southbridge), Nicky Ruki (Rolleston) and Courtney Whitmore (Springston).
Ellesmere Rugby chair Leslie Greenslade said she was looking forward to working with McIlroy.
“She’s awesome, she’ll bring freshness and energy.”
