RPA Impact Report 2023/24

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-IMPACTREPORT

2023/24

FOR-OUR PLAYERS FOR-OUR GAME

THE RUGBY PLAYERS ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS ELITE RUGBY PLAYERS IN ENGLAND, SUPPORTING OVER 600 CURRENT AND 100 FORMER PLAYERS.

We advocate for players’ interests, offering benefits such as career transition, counselling, educational support, enhanced insurance, legal advice, professional development and more.

Members can also access aid from our charity, Restart, in cases of serious illness, injury, or hardship.

Over the past 12 months we have supported hundreds of players through a period of unprecedented challenge. As the elite game stabilises, we aim to build a more sustainable rugby ecosystem with its players, their performance and wellbeing at its core.

WE SUPPORT, PROMOTE & PROTECT PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE ELITE

RUGBY PLAYERS IN ENGLAND

OUR VISION PLAYERS VALUED AND RESPECTED AS PARTNERS IN A UNITED GAME OUR MISSION MAKE PLAYERS IN ENGLAND THE BEST SUPPORTED IN THE WORLD

MEN’S PROFESSIONAL GAME PARTNERSHIP

FOR THE FIRST TIME, players have been included as co-signatories to the joint agreement that governs the men’s professional game, alongside the Rugby Football Union and Premiership Rugby.

The RPA has represented our members collective interests via extensive player consultation and meets with the other key stakeholders from within the professional game.

BY THE RPA BECOMING A SIGNATORY TO THIS NEW AGREEMENT, THE PLAYERS NOW HAVE SEATS ON THE PROFESSIONAL RUGBY BOARD WITH VOTING RIGHTS ON ALL MATTERS THAT AFFECT THEIR PROFESSION.

The new agreement will usher in improvements that will benefit future, current and former players. Highlights include:

£500,000 – The initial seed fund for a Professional Players Benevolent Fund

Agreed Minimum Wage for Full-Time Premiership Rugby Players

Fairer Contracting Model for Academy-aged players

Welfare Advancements that will benefit all players

“WE ARE IN A TIME OF REAL CHANGE FOR RUGBY UNION IN ENGLAND AND WITH CHANGE COMES GREAT OPPORTUNITY. PLAYERS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY NEED TO BE AT THE HEART OF THE FUTURE GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE SPORT. OUR BELIEF IS THAT PLAYERS SHOULD BE SEEN AS PARTNERS INSTEAD OF EMPLOYEES. THIS GIVES PLAYERS A FEELING OF BELONGING WITHIN THE GAME THAT THEY LOVE AND IN DOING SO CAN ONLY IMPROVE THEIR VALUE-ADD BACK INTO THE GAME.”

CHRISTIAN DAY, RPA GENERAL SECRETARY

THIS IS A LANDMARK DAY FOR OUR MEMBERS. BECOMING SIGNATORIES TO THIS AGREEMENT SHOWS THAT PLAYERS ARE A MEANINGFUL PARTNER IN HOW RUGBY GROWS NOW AND FOR YEARS TO COME.”

ETHAN WALLER, RPA CHAIR 2021-24

SUPPORTING OUR MEMBERS

Supporting players both on and off the field of play.

OVER 90% OF RPA MEMBERS

have been engaged with their Player Development Managers supporting their personal development and wellbeing.

Supporting players from Worcester Warriors, Wasps and London Irish.

£200,000+

PROTECTIVE AWARD

COMPENSATION

claimed at no cost as part of the Employment Tribunal on behalf of 169 members.

The RPA contributed to the player’s JPPI Insurance premium.

£245,000

Increasing the safety net available to players who are forced to retire through injury.

RPA WOMEN’S

HAS

from 28 in the season previous to 98 members.

An average of 2 PLAYERS PER CLUB ACCESSED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THROUGH THE RPA 47 members were supported by the 24/7 Mental Health Counselling Service.

LEGAL

ACROSS THE 2023-24 SEASON WE HAVE BEEN THERE FOR THOSE OF OUR MEMBERS WHO NEEDED LEGAL SUPPORT.

The RPA provides legal support via both our in-house solicitor and external lawyers.

285 players who were adversely affected by the loss of Worcester Warriors, Warriors Women, Wasps, London Irish and Jersey Reds.

£200,000+ of Protective Award Compensation claimed at no cost as part of the Employment Tribunal on behalf of 169 members from Worcester Warriors, Wasps and London Irish.

40+ players required specialist legal support including advice on employment issues, social media abuse, contractual dispute and playing contract advice.

THE LEGAL SUPPORT I RECEIVED WITH THE RPA WAS INCREDIBLE. I WOULDN’T HAVE KNOWN WHERE TO HAVE EVEN STARTED WITHOUT THEIR HELP, AND THEY SUPPORTED ME THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH! IT MADE A TRICKY SITUATION MANAGEABLE AND FINISHED WITH A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME.”

OUR REPRESENTATION ENSURES THAT SPORTS SCIENCE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IS UTILISED TO INFORM PLAYER WELFARE RECOMMENDATIONS

The RPA works with organisations such as Podium Analytics and UKRI along with our independent Welfare Advisory Board to drive our welfare agenda.

THE MEN’S PROFESSIONAL GAME PARTNERSHIP BRINGS WITH IT AN UPDATED PACKAGE OF WELFARE ADVANCEMENTS TO BETTER SUPPORT ALL PLAYERS:

REDUCED ANNUAL MATCH LIMIT RECOMMENDATIONS

“ PLAYER WELFARE

ENHANCED INTERNATIONAL PLAYER

MANDATED REST PERIODS

GUARANTEED OUT OF SEASON REST PERIODS

ALL BACKED BY SPORTS SCIENCE INFORMED PRINCIPLES

AS THE GAME EVOLVES WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND CHALLENGES TO MEET IN HELPING PLAYERS TO PREPARE, PLAY AND RECOVER. IT IS REASSURING TO SEE THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE AND SEE THERE IS A REAL THIRST TO PURSUE ALL AVENUES TO SUPPORT THE PLAYERS.”

PHIL PASK, CURRENT MEMBER OF RPA WELFARE ADVISORY BOARD. FORMER PLAYER AND NORTHAMPTON SAINTS, ENGLAND AND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS PHYSIO

“AS CO-CHAIR OF THE RPA WOMEN’S WELFARE ADVISORY BOARD, I AM COMMITTED TO PRIORITISING WELFARE AND PERFORMANCE, FOCUSING ON THE WELFARE NEEDS OF MODERN PLAYERS, INJURY SURVEILLANCE, MENSTRUAL CYCLE HEALTH, LIFELONG HEALTH POST-RETIREMENT, AND FEMALE-SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT. OUR ASSOCIATION WITH THE RPA, AND THE ORGANISATION’S COMMITMENT TO FURTHERING THE SUBJECT OF WOMEN’S WELFARE IS HUGELY POSITIVE. WE ARE ALSO FORMALLY COLLABORATING ON A RESEARCH PROJECT FOCUSED ON LIFELONG ATHLETE HEALTH, PARTICULARLY IN WOMEN’S RUGBY.”

WOMEN’S GAME

THIS YEAR THE RPA EXTENDED MEMBERSHIP TO ALL ELITE WOMEN’S RUGBY PLAYERS IN ENGLAND

The RPA is committed to co-creating a rugby ecosystem that is specifically designed for our growing membership.

• The RPA’s Women’s membership has more than tripled to 98 playing members this season.

• The RPA has worked alongside the game’s stakeholders and in consultation with players to develop the remuneration cap and standard contract within Premiership Women’s Rugby

• Established and administered a hardship fund that supported 38 Warriors Women players and staff, alongside the RFU, Premiership Women’s Rugby and Women’s Rugby Association WHAT NEXT?

In 2024-25, the RPA will increase resource and invest in new colleagues to further support our women’s members.

“HAVING EMILY IN THE CLUB FROM THE RPA HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL FOR THE PLAYERS. SHE HAS SUPPORTED WITH WELLBEING, CAREER EXPLORATION AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS HAS ALLOWED THE COACHING STAFF TO CONCENTRATE ON THEIR PERFORMANCE GOALS.

IT IS SO CLEAR THAT MORE OF THIS IS NEEDED IN THE WOMEN’S GAME. IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE RPA CONTINUES. IT GIVES PLAYERS THE BEST SUPPORT POSSIBLE ALLOWING THEM TO BE A MORE ROUNDED INDIVIDUAL.”

SUSIE APPLEBY, EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN’S HEAD COACH

RUGBY THROWS UP ALL KINDS OF CHALLENGES FOR PLAYERS.

TO HAVE EXPERT SUPPORT ON THE END OF THE PHONE HELPED ME TO FOCUS ON MY PERFORMANCE WHILST COMING BACK FROM INJURY.”

EMILY SCARRATT, LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING & ENGLAND

OVER 90% of RPA members have been engaged in their professional and personal development with support from Player Development Managers (PDM).

THE RPA GAIN LINE PROGRAMME IS SUPPORTED BY THE RFU AND PREMIERSHIP RUGBY. IT IS DELIVERED TO PLAYERS ACROSS THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GAME, WHO CAN ACCESS INDIVIDUALISED SUPPORT WITH THEIR WELFARE, OFF-FIELD PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND CAREER PLANNING.

Our objectives are to provide essential and independent welfare, personal development and transition support to elite players, work with clubs and stakeholders to help meet their duty of care to players and positively influence the game.

Awarded circa £40,000 in education support to RPA members in 2023-24 RPA Player Development Managers have delivered over 3000 HOURS of face-to-face support across more than

600 VISITS to club and international camps

THE RPA GAIN LINE PROGRAMME IS HUGELY IMPORTANT FOR US PLAYERS. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU MIGHT HAVE AN INJURY THAT MIGHT END YOUR CAREER, SO IT’S ALWAYS HUGELY IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOMETHING LINED UP AND I THINK IT’S SO IMPORTANT JUST TO HAVE CONNECTIONS OFF THE PITCH.”

Four RPA Vodafone Business Gain Line Awards were presented celebrating those players who have been proactive in developing their off-field interests.

USE THE RPA. GET CONNECTED. THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE WILLING TO HELP YOU WHEN YOU’RE READY. IF YOU SEE YOUR PDM OR SOMEBODY FROM THE ASSOCIATION, GO AND HAVE A CONVERSATION. IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT THEY ARE GOING TO SIGN YOU UP FOR A CARPENTRY COURSE, BUT BUILD THAT CONNECTION, BECAUSE WHEN YOU REALLY DO NEED THEM THE RPA IS THERE.”

BIG THANKS TO THE RPA FOR SORTING OUT THE COACHING AWARDS SESSIONS; GREAT TO HAVE IT RUN AT THE CLUB WITH THE RFU TEAM. I HOPE WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE TYPES OF THINGS IN THE FUTURE AS THEY ARE CLASS FOR OUR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT.”

BEN BAMBER, SALE SHARKS

FOROURGAME

HELPING PLAYERS TO GIVE BACK TO THE GAME THAT THEY LOVE

The RPA has assisted

77 PLAYERS in acquiring the formal coaching qualifications required to work professionally via an ongoing partnership with the RFU.

MENTAL HEALTH

IN ANY GIVEN SEASON AN AVERAGE OF 2 CURRENT PLAYERS PER CLUB WILL ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THROUGH THE RPA.

In the 2023-24 season:

RPA Player Development Managers obtained a Level 2 Counselling Skills Qualification to support their pastoral role in supporting players through difficult circumstances in addition to their status as accredited Mental Health First Aiders.

47 members have been supported by the RPA’s 24/7 Counselling Service

• This includes 12 former players

• One player has been supported with residential care

• Invested more than £54,000 on mental health support for our members this season

The RPA is partnered with industry experts Sporting Chance to support our members when times are hard.

I GENUINELY BELIEVE IT’S SAVED HIS LIFE.” FORMER MEMBER’S PARTNER “

I JUST WANTED TO MESSAGE AND SAY THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I HAVE SEEN THE BIGGEST CHANGE SINCE HIS REHAB, AND I KNOW THAT YOU PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN SORTING THAT OUT FOR HIM. SPEAKING TO HIM ABOUT HOW HE WAS FEELING AND ACTING BEFORE REHAB,

THE RPA HAVE BEEN INVALUABLE TO ME THIS YEAR. FROM THE SUPPORT GIVEN TO ME BY MY PDM, IT HAS ALLOWED ME TO DEVELOP NOT ONLY AS A PLAYER BUT AS A PERSON. THIS SEASON, WITH THE SUPPORT OF RICH I HAVE UTILISED THE COUNSELLING SERVICE WHICH HELPED ME TO GET BACK TO ME AFTER A LONG-TERM ILLNESS. THEY’VE ALSO HELPED ME FIGURE OUT MY GOALS OUTSIDE OF PLAYING. MY PASSIONS ARE DEEPER WITHIN THE COACHING OF THE GAME WHICH THE RPA HAVE FACILITATED.”

IT’S JUST NICE TO HAVE SOMEONE THERE FOR YOU. THE MEDICAL SIDE OF THINGS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU TAKE FOR GRANTED AS A PROFESSIONAL SPORTSMAN. IF YOU NEED A SCAN, YOU HAVE ONE THAT AFTERNOON, WHEREAS MOST PEOPLE WAIT 6 MONTHS. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE THAT LEVEL OF CARE PAID FOR BY RESTART. IT WAS A MASSIVE HELP FOR ME.”

RESTART IS THE OFFICIAL CHARITY OF THE RPA, DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING ELITE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S RUGBY PLAYERS SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS INJURY, ILLNESS OR HARDSHIP.

The work Restart does is funded entirely through voluntary donations and fundraising activity. Relying on the support of rugby supporters, fundraisers, businesses, generous donors, and the players themselves to raise funds each year for those in need.

This season staged the annual Restart Round across Premiership Rugby in December and Restart were the official charity partner at the Premiership Rugby Final 2024.

• Restart helps to fund the 24/7 Counselling Service, which 47 members have accessed over the last twelve months.

• Over £140,000 in hardship payments were paid to London Irish, Worcester Warriors, Wasps and Jersey Reds players and staff alongside the RFU, Premiership Rugby & Restart.

“ THE SUPPORT I RECEIVED FROM RESTART FROM DAY ONE WAS INCREDIBLE. IT HAS MADE SUCH A DIFFERENCE TO MY RECOVERY AND HOW POSITIVE AND MOTIVATED YOU SEE ME TODAY.”
ED JACKSON, FORMER PLAYER

THE RPA WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS TO BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE GAME

IN 2023-24 THE GAME COMMITTED TO DELIVER A FIRST DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ACTION PLAN

The RPA D&I Board was asked to contribute significantly towards its creation, giving voice to the thoughts and opinions of our members.

Led by the RFU and with support from the RPA, Premiership Rugby and Premiership Women’s Rugby, we have helped to deliver:

• The annual elite game D&I survey was distributed in November 2023. 787 respondents across all roles in men’s and women’s elite game with 38% of those being from players

• The FIRST inclusive leadership forum held at Twickenham in March 2024, with current and former players, coaches, chief executives and administrators present

• The FIRST mandatory Elite Game D&I education sessions across both the men’s and women’s game

NOT GETTING TO FINISH MY CAREER ON MY OWN TERMS WAS A SCARY SITUATION. THE RPA HAVE BEEN AMAZING THROUGHOUT AND THE SUPPORT BOTH EMOTIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY THROUGH THE INSURANCE PROCESS MADE A POTENTIALLY TOUGH PERIOD MORE MANAGEABLE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.”

MARK ATKINSON, FORMER PLAYER

INTERNATIONAL GAME

THE RPA HAS CONTINUED ITS WORK ACROSS THE INTERNATIONAL GAME THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.

Red Roses camps benefit from an embedded Player Development Manager in partnership with the RFU.

GB Rugby 7’s players benefit from Player Development Manager support in camp ahead of their Olympic campaign.

RPA IMPACT

• Two Red Roses players have benefitedfromthe RPA-negotiated players maternitypolicy

•Securedthe England Men disputedmatch feesfromRugbyWorld Cup 2023

GB Rugby7’s players benefitfrom PlayerDevelopmentManager support in camp ahead oftheirOlympic campaign

•Working with ourpartnersat International RugbyPlayers, represented players atthe World Rugby Shape ofthe Game conference in London.

We have been proud to work with the England Men’s Team over the last twenty years, representing their commercial contracts and despite the team opting to go in a different direction, we look forward to continuing to support these players wherever possible.

RPA LOBBYING LED TO THE OUTLAWING OF THE CROC ROLL FROM JULY 2024

ENGAGEMENT & PLAYERS BOARD

A KEY PART OF THE RPA IS TO LISTEN TO THE OPINIONS OF ITS MEMBERS.

IN THE LAST SEASON, WE HAVE:

Received 700+ player responses to surveys and requests for feedback from the game.

Giving current and former players direct input into more than 15 boards and groups that the RPA represents its members on and a voice in how the game is run.

Received over 330 player responses to RPA Brain Health Surveys in October 2023 and March 2024.

Supplying direct player feedback on issues such as contact volume and type in training and matches, zero contact windows, tackle height, instrumented mouth guard usage, match limits and long-term brain health considerations.

Held three in-person RPA Players’ Board meetings in Birmingham, Bristol, and London. These meetings were hosted at retired players’ businesses.

These gave us an opportunity to engage with and promote our retired player community. Thank you to the management at Wayland’s Yard Birmingham and Sam Smith, the Team at Jolly Hog HQ Bristol and Olly Kohn, as well as the team at Wolfpack West Hampstead, Chris Wyles and Alistair Hargreaves.

Created player working groups with over 60 leading players engaged in working group meetings with elected RPA reps. These meets enabled senior player groups to discuss the game’s main issues and provide detailed feedback to the RPA Players’ Board.

OUR PARTNERS

ACROSS THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS, THE RPA HAS WORKED WITH STAKEHOLDERS FROM ACROSS THE SPORT AND COUNTRY, TO ENSURE THAT THE PLAYERS VOICE IS HEARD.

• The RPA team meet with numerous and diverse stakeholders to further our work and to drive the Players Agenda

• Quarterly meetings with key government officials from the Department of Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS)

• Building a coalition of action with like-minded player associations both at home and abroad

• Engaging at a global level with International Rugby Players and World Rugby

RUGBY PLAYERS ON BEHALF OF ITS MEMBERS.”

CONRAD SMITH, FORMER PLAYER AND INTERNATIONAL

RUGBY PLAYERS HEAD OF MEN’S RUGBY

THE INTRODUCTION OF PREMIERSHIP ROOKIE CONTRACTS MARKS A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR YOUNG PLAYERS ENTERING THE GAME. THESE WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT THROUGHOUT THE LEAGUE WITH THE REASSURANCE THAT ALL PLAYERS PROGRESSING THROUGH THE ACADEMY SYSTEM WILL RECEIVE A LEVEL OF PAY THAT ALLOWS THEM TO FOCUS ON THEIR RUGBY AND DEVELOPMENT.”

HARRY ELRINGTON, FORMER GLOUCESTER & RPA VICE CHAIR

“ “

I JUST WANTED TO PASS ON MY SINCERE THANKS... I HAVE RECEIVED LOADS OF MESSAGES OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS THANKING ME... IN THE CURRENT CLIMATE AND WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE IT HAS BEEN REFRESHING TO FEEL THE OLD VALUES OF THE GAME STILL STAND STRONG AND PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO GET WHAT THEY WERE DUE. SPECIAL THANKS TO NATALIE (RPA) FOR CO-ORDINATING AND ORGANISING THE PROCESSING OF PAYMENTS.”

THE RPA WERE INVALUABLE THROUGH A TOUGH PERIOD AT LONDON IRISH. THEY WERE THERE EVERY STEP – FROM LEGAL SUPPORT AND CONTRACTUAL ADVICE, TO SUPPORT WITH NEXT STEPS ONCE ADMINISTRATION BEGAN. NO ASK WAS TOO SMALL, AND THEY DID THEIR UPMOST TO PROVIDE PLAYERS WITH CLARITY IN VERY UNCERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.”

MATT ROGERSON, LEICESTER TIGERS

OUR VALUES

AUTHENTIC

Our agenda is co-created with our members. We work to build honest relationships and seek to add value to every room we enter. The RPA will always act with integrity.

DRIVEN

Stepping forward to create positive change. We wish to be re-evaluated. We are passionate about Rugby Union, working relentlessly to create a united game.

OPEN

We work to build a more inclusive game, empowering players to speak up about things that matter to them. We are agile, adaptable and transparent, always wanting feedback.

SUPPORTIVE

We exist to support players past, present and future. We are caring and dependable, always working hard behind the scenes. Our team goes above and beyond for each other and our members.

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