The Football Association has announced the appointment of Sue Day as its new director of women’s football.

Day will start her role in place of the departing Baroness Sue Campbell in December of this year and will be responsible for the next phase of development for the women’s and girls’ game and disability football in England.

Day joins from the Rugby Football Union, where she has worked as a board member, chief operations officer and chief financial officer.

The former rugby player, who won 59 caps for England, will oversee the FA’s 2024-28 women’s strategy.

Day told the FA’s website: “It is an honour to be able to join the FA in this incredibly exciting role, at a pivotal moment in the history of the sport.

“Women’s football has the opportunity to change the sporting and societal landscape forever, and I am very excited to be part of that. The challenge to develop disability football from the grassroots to the elite is also deeply motivating.

“I grew up playing football every day in the school playground, then one day I was told I wasn’t allowed to play with boys on the school team.”

FA CEO Mark Bullingham added: “We’re delighted to welcome Sue Day into the FA at the end of this year.

“Sue’s professional expertise and passion for women’s sport, combined with her business acumen made her the standout candidate for this role.

“Her credentials show she has the vision and leadership to make the most of this moment in time to take the women’s game and para football to new heights.”