Still, Indian corporate boards belong to the 'old boys club' based on caste affiliations rather than on other considerations - like merit or experience.

BBC: Why Indian boardrooms have no diversity

She said Mr Farage surrounded himself with "an old boys club of like-minded sycophants", whereas Conservative leader David Cameron had shown "he can listen, adapt and do what is right for the country, not just for personal gain".

BBC: UKIP MEP Marta Andreasen defects to Conservatives

"As Roman Catholics worldwide prepare for the conclave, we are reminded that the current system remains an 'old boys club' and does not allow for women's voices to participate in the decision of the next leader of our church, " said Erin Saiz Hanna, head of the Women's Ordination Conference, a group that ordains women in defiance of church teaching.

NPR: Pope Legacy: Teacher Who Returned To Church Roots

Some women might be excluded from the old boys' club of business, or have their skyrocketing careers curtailed when they start families.

FORBES: People

Nobody doubts that Wall Street is an old-boys club, but is it the duty of taxpayers to fund affirmative action for financiers?

FORBES: Wisconsin Shows Mix Of Unions, Pols A Recipe for Ruin

The groups have argued that the licensing system operates like an old boys' club, with decisions being made in secret by scientists who are generally in favour of animal experiments.

BBC: Mouse,

They denounced the PSE's old-boys club mentality.

CNN: The inside scoop on the day's business stories

Lionel Messi, who set a club scoring record this week, left Argentina's Newell's Old Boys at 13 to join Barcelona, while Andres Iniesta traveled some 320 miles from Albacete as a 12 year old.

WSJ: Youth Academies: Soccer's Nature vs. Nurture Debate