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We also manage the players’ collective interest as a group and the potential thereof. MyPlayers is 100% owned by the players and they also take on leadership roles by serving on our organisational structures and the MyPlayers board. These structures are responsible for determining the general strategy and vision of the players’ organisation.
FUNCTION: Determines the organisation’s strategy and the execution thereof with the necessary financial discipline.
Jean de Villiers (Chairperson)
Eugene Henning (CEO)
Teboho ‘Oupa’ Mohojé (Non-Executive Director)
Lukhanyo Am (Non-Executive Director)
Nolusindiso Booi (Non-Executive Director)
Pat Lambie (Non-Executive Director)
Siviwe Soyizwapi (Non-Executive Director)
FUNCTION: The provincial player representatives serve as your player group’s direct link, intermediary and communication channel with MyPlayers.
Tshonti (General Secretary)
The MyPlayers Industrial Board is the registered trade union which exclusively represents the professional rugby players. It serves as a platform for the players to collectively exercise their labour rights and also empowers them to take collective action on matters pertaining to their employment. The day-to-day management of the MyPlayers Industrial Board is conducted by MyPlayers.
FUNCTION: The MyPlayers Commercial Board is licensed to use and represent the collective commercial rights of the professional rugby players in South Africa. These players’ rights are made available to external stakeholders to be used for broadcasting purposes, various sponsorship programmes, for general media use. The MyPlayers Commercial Board also facilitates sub-licensing agreements with third parties and continuously monitors the usage of these rights. The strategy and implementation of the MyPlayers Commercial Board mandate is overseen by the trustees. They are also responsible to make decisions with regards to your commercial distributions.
FUNCTION: Oversees the day-to-day operations of MyPlayers and manages the products and services provided by the Players’ Organisation. Also responsible for the management of MyPlayers Industrial Board and MyPlayers Commercial Board.
Eugene Henning
Chief Executive Officer
eugeneh@my-players.com
+27 82 657 2908
Nicole Hayes
National Player Development Manager
nicole@my-players.com
+27 71 470 4901
David de Villiers
MyPlayers Financial Services
david@my-players.com
+27 82 460 2803
Tracey Cable Office Manager
info@my-players.com
+21 21 887 5786
Mandisi Tshonti
General Manager: Player Affairs
mandisi@my-players.com
+27 82 738 1377
Laykin Rudolph Communications Manager
laykin@my-players.com
+27 72 875 5671
Helga Esau Finance Manager
helga@my-players.com
+27 21 887 5786
Danika Groenewald Administrative Assistant
danika@my-players.com
+27 77 600 6180
Isma-eel Dollie
National Player Relationship Manager
ismaeel@my-players.com
+27 84 484 4412
Réghana Harneker
General Manager: Legal, Compliance and Governance
reghana@my-players.com
+27 83 231 6824
Welmarie van der Spuy
Senior Financial Manager
welmarie@my-players.com
+27 72 826 0202
Lungiswa Kokose Office Assistant
FUNCTION: Responsible to assist players with their career-development requirements for life outside of and after rugby
Kelly-Anne Ramsden Bulls
kelly.myplayers@outlook.com +27 63 670 2794
Bronwyn Dodds Lions bronwyn@bdoddsconsulting.co.za +27 83 274 1110
Sally Joubert Cheetahs
sjoubert@cut.ac.za +27 81 305 8675
Anina Coetzee Pumas admin@aninaip.co.za +27 82 454 1770
Alastair Theys Western Province alastairtheys@gmail.com +27 83 532 7730
Claus Kempen Griquas
claus.kempen@gmail.com
+27 82 555 9746
Kirsten van Heerden Sharks kirsten@newtonagency.co.za +27 84 800 3322
Players who qualify for the Commercial Programme receive annual payments from MyPlayers for the use of their commercial rights in rugby. These commercial rights extend beyond playing rugby and training and include personal attributes such as your name, image, voice and signature - elements that play an essential role in creating value and interest in rugby.
To use these platforms, broadcasters, sponsors and product creators need access to player rights.
• These involve one or two players being featured in a campaign without team kit. You and your agent manage these rights and external companies can contact you directly. MyPlayers does not manage or pay for these rights.
• Managed by MyPlayers, these involve three or more players being featured with or without team kit for commercial purposes.
These rights include:
• APPEARANCES: When your team asks you to attend an event for a sponsor or partner. Charity events and media duties are not included.
• ATTRIBUTES: Your personal details like name, height, weight, Test caps, signatures and images.
WHAT IS MYPLAYERS INDUSTRIAL?
MyPlayers Industrial is the official trade union of all the professional rugby players in South Africa.
WHAT DOES THE MYPLAYERS INDUSTRIAL BOARD DO?
The Industrial Board manages all your collective employment matters on your behalf on provincial and national level. The Industrial Board ensures that your minimum collective employment matters are formally recorded and agreed to in various collective agreements.
YOUR COLLECTIVE EMPLOYMENT MATTERS INCLUDE:
Minimum salaries
Duties as a player
Disciplinary matters
Leave days
Working hours
Termination of contract by province or player
Player Load and Rest Days
WHAT’S YOUR MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP FEE? R100
SENIOR PLAYERS
R50 R50
JUNIOR PLAYERS SENIOR WOMEN
Note: The monthly membership fee will be deducted from your salary by your employer after you have signed a membership form.
Below is a breakdown of your indicative collective commercial rights payments for appearances performed and/or matches played in 2023.
The Industry Collective Agreement regulates the terms and conditions of employment applicable to all Contracted Rugby Players and the relationship between the members of SAREO and MyPlayers Industrial.
57: Max Provincial Contracted Players (Including Loyalty Players) / 50: for the Cheetahs UNLIMITED: Development Players COMPETITIONS: URC, EPCR , Currie Cup Premier Division, SA Cup, Development Player (U20, U21)
43: Max Provincial Contracted Players COMPETITIONS: SA Cup, Currie Cup Premier Division
35: Max Provincial and Semi-Professional Contracted Players (Including Free Agent and Club Players Contracts) COMPETITIONS: SA Cup, Currie Cup First Division
MINIMUM SALARY (PROVINCIAL PLAYERS)
per month (for playing in URC and EPCR)
MINIMUM TERM: 12 months
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS (NON-FRANCHISES ONLY)
MINIMUM SALARY:
R6 790 per month
MINIMUM TERM: 8 months
Semi-professional players have the flexibility to pursue full-time studies and maintain a full-time job alongside their rugby careers.
MINIMUM SALARY (PROVINCIAL PLAYERS)
per month (for playing in the Currie Cup) MINIMUM TERM: 12 months
DEVELOPMENT PLAYER (ONLY CONTRACTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE)
MINIMUM SALARY: Not applicable, but you will need to have a comprehensive medical aid cover MINIMUM TERM: Not applicable
Includes all international Women’s 15s matches
Unlimited number of contracts
Minimum period of 12 months
Includes all World Series matches
Unlimited number of contracts
Minimum period of 12 months 15s WOMEN
MINIMUM RETAINER: R195 679
Minimum term: 12 months
Test Match Fee (23 Match Squad): R5 872
Non-contracted Players (Test Match Week): R1 761
Non-contracted 15s Players (per day during camps, locally and overseas): R1 174
MINIMUM RETAINER: R195 679
Minimum term: 12 months
Non-contracted 7s Players (per day during 7s Tournaments):
R1 761
DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS MINIMUM RETAINER: R120 000
Non-contracted 7s Players (per day during camps, locally and overseas): R1 174 World Series Tournament selection fee: R2 500 World SeriesWin bonus per match: R7 500
TOURNAMENT SELECTION FEE: R5 000 WIN BONUS PER MATCH: R15 000
We serve as a link between you and MyPlayers.
We assist you with any day-to-day player-related questions or queries you might have.
ON-FIELD CITINGS AND DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS
We can represent you during a disciplinary hearing. For each game, we’ve got some of our best legal representatives on standby for your use in the case of an on-field citing.
If you tested positive for banned substances, your employer will notify you about your test results. MyPlayers can assist you with proper legal representation.
We can advise you on agent fees, employment remuneration and contract terms and conditions.
PLAYER LOAD
We provide you with monthly updates to your minutes and games played as well as your rest periods.
MYPLAYERS APP ACCESS
We help you with your registration and give you access to the MyPlayers app.
The design and implementation of a player-development programme informed by international best practice that supports and benefits players for life during and after professional rugby. This programme is designed to focus on the holistic development of you, the player, assisting you in becoming the best possible version of yourself, both on and off the rugby field.
CAREER AND EDUCATION
WORKPLACE READINESS
VULNERABILITIES AND LIFE SKILLS PERSONAL MASTERY
By providing a number of partial or full bursaries, MyPlayers offers the opportunity to aid players who require financial assistance to further their formal education.
Apply via the MyPlayers App (MyDevelopment > Career and Education) or contact Nicole Hayes, your National Player Development Manager.
Bursaries are awarded annually and the application period starts in October.
NOTE: The service line is completely confidential and you will be put in contact with a mental health professional who will adhere to the strictest confidentiality principles. MyPlayers will pay for your first four sessions. Additional sessions can be motivated for upon recommendation from the mental-health practitioner.
We have a number of partners that offer discounts on various academic and educational courses. MyPlayers partners with academic institutions offering both online and in-person courses (part-time or full-time), professionals, and coaches who can develop your entrepreneurial skills, business acumen, and other transferable skills, equipping you for transition and life outside of rugby.
To view these discounts and benefit partners, go to the MyPlayers App (MyBenefits)
Medical aid and gap cover
Savings for retirement (The Players’ Pension Fund)
Injury benefits that include salary security and catastrophic injury benefits
Life cover (“Death benefit”)
Short-term insurance solutions
General financial literacy and wellness as professional rugby player: 1. Specialist tax and financial advisory panel 2. Financial education
3. PlaySmart financial analysis / awareness planning tool
NEED ANY ASSISTANCE? Contact Simeka Health Call Centre on 086 111 1167 OR David de Villiers, MyPlayers Financial Services, on 082 460 2803 or david@my-players.com.
They can advise you on the different schemes suitable for you as a professional rugby player AND to cover your individual needs.
KEY POINTS ABOUT MEDICAL AID AND GAP
COVER YOU NEED TO KNOW
Medical aid and gap cover to train/play professional rugby in South Africa is compulsory.
You must UNDERSTAND your medical aid benefits before you train/play.
Ensure that your premium is deducted monthly from your salary and indicated on your pay slip (at the PAY POINT) from your employer/union.
When retiring from / ending professional rugby in SA, contact us to assist you with the transfer of your medical scheme and GAP cover to private capacity.
The Players’ Pension Fund is a monthly savings tool for you to ensure that you grow an asset until you reach retirement age.
All players earning more than R95 750 annually contribute
Effective and cost-effective way to prepare for your retirement
The younger you start contributing, the better the results!
You get 100% tax benefits on your contributions immediately!
MyPlayers appoints an independent investment specialist each year to do a cost and performance review of the Players’ Pension Fund, ensuring you get the best possible return on your investment.
MUST DOs: Get your latest benefit statement on the MyPlayers App today (under MyNumbers) and ensure you have nominated your beneficiaries for your retirement money!
All injuries should be reported to your employer’s medical team as soon as possible after an injury, accident or diagnosis.
Covers you if you are unable to play due to a new injury, illness or accident. During this time that you are out of action, MyPlayers ensures that you still get paid your normal monthly salary.
The injury benefit provides salary continuation for 18-24 months while injured, from the date of the incident.
Maximum cover of up to R5 million per annum on your salary available. Top-up cover for this is available on a voluntary basis.
This benefit is FREE for MyPlayers members. Exclusions may apply, e.g. the chronic and degenerative effects of old injuries.
This benefit is payable when you can’t continue to play and are incapable of fulfilling any other occupation due to an injury, illness or accident.
The benefit will be calculated as 3 times your annual salary. This amount will be limited to a maximum of R6 million but will not be less than R1 million.
Brought to you by FUNDSATWORK UMBRELLA FUNDS from Momentum Corporate
Your compulsory lump-sum death benefit:
R150 000 will be paid to your loved ones if you pass away.
This amount is added to your Pension Fund savings as a booster to assist your dependents.
Monthly premium:
This R24 premium is tax deductible and forms part of your current pension fund contribution.
No underwriting needed
You may choose to increase your death benefit amount at an extra cost.
You can increase your cover in bands of R500 000.
Your monthly premium increases by R75 for every R500 000.
Secure up to a maximum of R4 million paid out for a premium of R600 pm.
Annually (during February) OR after a life-changing event, you can apply for this cover to be activated through MyPlayers.
No underwriting required* for a cover of R2 million or less.
*Terms and conditions apply.
WHAT IS SHORT-TERM INSURANCE?
It’s insurance to protect you from financial loss regarding valuable belongings or assets in case of:
Burglary or theft
Damage or accidents
Natural disasters
BELONGINGS THAT YOU CAN INSURE FOR INCLUDE:
HOME CONTENT: TVs, refrigerators, training equipment, etc.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS: Cellphones, rings, watches, etc.
VEHICLES: Cars, motorcycles, etc.
Ctrl. provides a digital and easily accessible platform of various short-term insurers, with a specialist advice function to obtain quotes and compare products and premiums for cover.
You can get your quote and receive assistance via a dedicated MyPlayers digital link.
You have access to a 24/7 claims and emergency helpline
MyPlayers provides all members with basic educational sessions, material and digital financial planning tools while being a professional rugby player.
Specialist advisers from the MyPlayers adviser panels for individual financial plans and tax services can be considered by each member when needed.
PlaySmart provides all MyPlayers members with a unique financial planning tool through the MyPlayers App, analysing your financial well-being while highlighting your individual areas of strengths and weaknesses.
The MyPlayers Financial Services division is an authorised financial services provider with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSP46999)
We have negotiated excellent group discounts and service offerings from some of South Africa’s most reputable brands for you, your partner and your entire family.
For more information on the Benefit Partners and their offering, head to the MyPlayers app.
ADDRESS
Table
Tygerberg
Plattekloof Cape Town
WORKING HOURS
Monday