GLOBAL RUGBY PLAYERS
FOUNDATION GRANT APPLICATION
BETTER PEOPLE BETTER PLAYERS BETTER LIVES
RUPAisdelightedtohavetheopportunitytosubmitanapplicationtopartnerwithGlobalRugby PlayersFoundation(GRPF),toprovidepastplayerswithamplifiedsupporttobettertheirlives.In recognizingtheuniquechallengesfacedbyformerplayersinanAustraliancontext,RUPAhas developedanevidence-basedsupportprograminalignmentwithourmutualmissiontohelp playersachievetheirpotential,beyondthegame
InJune2025,forthepurposeofunderstandingcorepastplayerneedsinacurrentclimate,RUPA collecteddatafromasurveysenttoover1000formerAustralianrugbyunionplayers,which highlightedmanyareasforimprovedtransitionalsupport Theproposedapplicationutilizes thesefindingstodeveloparobustprograminassistingthemonalong-termscale.Indirect alignmentlinewithGRPF’sInvestmentPrinciples,RUPAhascreatedaframeworkthataimsto proactivelysupportplayersthroughthefollowingprograminitiatives:
DeliveredinpartnershipwithRUPA’spartners,playersintheirearlytransitionphasewillattend a‘BeyondTheGame’developmentcampinSydney,wheretheyareprovidedwith comprehensivesupportservicesandresourcestoempowerthemtofacepost-rugby challenges,particularlythoseassociatedwith‘lossofidentity’
DeliveredinpartnershipwithRugbyAU’sEAPProvider,TELUSHealth,pastplayersaregiventhe opportunitytoattendahealthandwellbeingexhibition,wheretheyareprovidedwithoneon-oneandgroupmedicalappointments
TheBeyondtheGameprogramwillbeopentoallpastplayerRUPAmembers,which currentlyincludesthosewhowerecontractedfull-timeinSuperRugby,Sevens,andthe Wallaroosduringtheprofessionalera.Thereisaclearintentiontobroadentheprogramin thefuturetoincludeSuperWplayersastheybecomefull-timeathletes.
TheRugbyUnionPlayers’Association(RUPA)wasestablishedinOctober1995byaunited playinggroup,followingtheglobalshiftofRugbyUnionfromamateurtoprofessionalsport.The creationofRUPAmarkedapivotalmomentinAustralianRugby,asplayersrecognisedtheneed foranindependentbodythatcouldrepresenttheircollectivevoice,safeguardtheirinterests, andsupporttheirlong-termwellbeing
MISSION&PURPOSE MISSION&PURPOSE MISSION&PURPOSE
RUPA’scoremissionistopromoteandprotecttheinterestsofAustralia’sprofessionalRugby players,bothduringtheirplayingcareersandastheytransitionintolifebeyondthegame.The associationexiststoensurethatplayershaveaccesstofairworkingconditions,asafeand supportiveprofessionalenvironment,androbustcareerdevelopmentopportunities.
MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP
RUPArepresents100%ofAustralia’sfull-timeprofessionalRugbyplayers,includingmembersof theWallabies,Wallaroos,SuperRugbyclubs,andAustralia’snationalSevensprograms.The associationalsoactivelysupportsemergingandpastplayersthroughtargetedinitiativesand services.
KEYFUNCTIONS KEYFUNCTIONS KEYFUNCTIONS
RUPAundertakesawiderangeoffunctionsonbehalfofitsmembers,includingbutnotlimited to:
CollectiveBargaining:Negotiatingthecollectivebargainingagreement(CBA)withRugby Australiaandotherstakeholderstosecurefairremuneration,benefits,andworkplacerights.
PlayerDevelopmentandTransition:Deliveringevidence-basedprogramsthatfocuson education,careerreadiness,financialliteracy,mentalwellbeing,andpersonal development,ensuringplayersareequippedforlifeafterRugby
HealthandWellbeing:Advocatingforbestpracticemedicalcare,injurymanagement, mentalhealthsupport,andaccesstospecialistservicesthroughoutandbeyondaplayer's career
LegalandContractualSupport:Providingguidanceandadvocacyinareassuchas contracts,disputes,integritymatters,andintellectualpropertyrights.
StrategicAlignment
RUPAisanactivememberofboththeInternationalRugbyPlayers(IRP)andWorldRugby, ensuringoperationsalignwithinternationalbestpracticeandthatthevoiceofAustralianplayers isrepresentedontheglobalstage.
Sinceitsinception,RUPAhasplayedaninstrumentalroleinshapingtheprofessionalRugby landscapeinAustraliathroughTheAdvantageLineProgram.Throughproactiveadvocacy,the programdeliversmeaningfulreformsinplayerwelfare,financialsustainability,andpost-career opportunities.Theprogramcontinuestoevolvealongsidethegameandcoreneedsofplayers, guidedbyitsfoundingprinciple:toactinthebestinterestsoftheplayers-past,presentand future.Theprogramisimplementedwithineachclubbyafull-timePlayerDevelopmentManager whoworkscloselywiththeplayinggrouparound6keypillars:Career&Education,Wellbeing, FinancialManagement,CulturalAwareness,PersonalToolkitandIntegrity&Obligations
PROGRAMOUTCOMES PROGRAMOUTCOMES PROGRAMOUTCOMES
Theprogramworkswith playerstodevelopalongtermlifeplanacross multipleinterconnected pillars,andthisfurther allowsparticipantsto recognisehowRugbyis integratedintotheir greaterlifegoals.
Theprogramaimsto developwell-rounded playerswhoareableto drivetheirownsuccess whilealsobeing comfortableinseeking helpandbeing resourceful.
Theprogramaimsto producepeoplewho arebetterequipped andfortifiedforthe challengesoflife includinglivingwithin theunusualcontextof beingaprofessional Rugbyplayer.
Theprogramhasmutually beneficialoutcomesfor boththeplayerandforthe gameinAustralia,as researchdemonstratesthat thoseathleteswhoengage inoff-fieldprofessional developmenttendto remaininthegamefor longerandatahigherlevel.
ForeachoftheRUPApillars,thereisafoundationalsetofoutcomesthatPDM’sdriveineachof theirclubs ThelaunchingpadoftheprogramstartsattheBuildcorpInductionCampforfirst yearcontractedplayers.Theinductionprocessisdesignedtoincreaseaplayerscapacityto adapttotheirnewhigh-performanceenvironment
TheAdvantageLineprogramfocusesoncreatingskillsforlifethatunderpinbeingbetterrugby playersandbetterpeople.Partofthisiscreatingwell-roundedindividualswhoareableto understandtheirgoals,andthenallowingtheprogramtoprovidetheskillsandsupporttohelp eachpersonmovetowardsthem.Individualgoalsarenotjustsetwithinrugby,buthelping playerstoenvisionwhatalifeafterrugbylookslike Fromasearlyastheinductionprocess, theyareaskedtoconsiderthevaluestheywouldliketoholdindrivingtheirlifeforward,and developstrategiestothechallengesthatlieaheadinhigh-performanceenvironments
TheAdvantageLineensuresthateveryplayer:
Isprovidedwithfinancialmanagementskillstoenablethemtomakethemostoftheir money.
Receivesregularmentalhealthawarenesstrainingandcopingskillstodealwiththe challengesofhigh-performanceenvironments.
Hasaccesstoalevelofcomplimentarypsychologicalsupporttodealwithissuesaround mentalhealth,gambling,alcohol,disorderedeating,etc.
Hasaccesstoatrainingandeducationreimbursementfortheirprofessionaldevelopment
Hasasupportperson,throughthePDM,embeddedwithintheteamwhoremainsan independentandconfidentialresource.
Isprovidedwithculturalawarenesstrainingtoenableenvironmentsthatdriveasenseof belongingforpeoplefromallcultures
Isprovidedwiththeopportunitytodevelopgoal-settingskillsthathelpformhealthyhabits anddriveavisionforrugby&life.
Isprovidedwithacareer/recruitmentexperttodeveloppotentialcareeropportunitiesfor lifeafterrugby,ifappropriate
pricingatHarveyNorman.
Walters,inconsultationwith yourPDM.
LAYERRESOURCES(CURRENT) LAYERRESOURCES(CURRENT) AYERRESOURCES(CURRENT)
products.
RUPAsprofessionalnetwork ofindustryleaders,tofurther createcareeroptionsforlife afterrugby.
EXPERTISEANDTRACKING EXPERTISEANDTRACKING EXPERTISEANDTRACKING
PDM’sworkcloselywithplayersacrosstheircareertodevelopindividualplanstoassistthem duringtheircareerandwhenit’stimetoprepareforlifebeyondthegame.Recentinitiatives includetheappointmentofRobertWaltersAustraliaasRUPA’sOfficialRecruitmentPartnerwho haveassistedsixpastplayersintofindingnewcareersthroughtheirprofessionalnetworkin thepast2years.Theyalsodelivervocationalcareerworkshopstodevelopaplayer’sCV, interviewskillsandtipsfornetworking Throughoutthepartnership,theirmessagetoplayers remainsconsistent:
PROFESSIONALATHLETESPOSSESSMANYTRANSFERABLESKILLSTHATALLEMPLOYERSFIND PROFESSIONALATHLETESPOSSESSMANYTRANSFERABLESKILLSTHATALLEMPLOYERSFIND PROFESSIONALATHLETESPOSSESSMANYTRANSFERABLESKILLSTHATALLEMPLOYERSFIND VALUEIN VALUEIN VALUEIN
RUPAcurrentlyprovidesplayerswithanexitinterviewwhenleavingaclubtoheadoverseasor transitioning Thisinterviewactsasaplanningdocumenttoallowplayerstosetgoalsintotheir nextchapteroflifeandfortheirPlayerDevelopmentManagertounderstandwhatsupportwillbe needed RUPAthenprovidesplayerswithacomplimentaryone-on-oneappointmentwithRobert Walters,whoassisttheminscoutingnewcareeroptions,withaviewonsecuringemployment.
Followingthis,RUPAprovidesplayerswithatransitionbookletthatincludessomeofthe experiencesofpastplayersaswellasasuiteofsupportservicesthatareavailablethrough RUPA’spartnerships.Italsoincludesalinktomentalhealthsupport(6complimentary counsellingsessions),throughRugbyAustralia’sEmploymentAss ( ) Health.Asocialmappingexerciseisalsoincludedtohelpplayers andsupportnetworks.Theplayeristhenprovidedwithaccessto Assessment,wheretheyundergoahealthscreeningprocesstor habitswithaviewtoimprovingqualityoflife,orprovidingreferra
KeyFindings
InJune2025,RUPAdistributedthe‘BeyondTheGame–PastPlayerSupportSurvey’totheentire databaseofformerprofessionalplayersfromthepast30years.Theprimaryaimofthesurvey wastogatheractionableinsightsintothecurrentneedsofpastplayersinordertoinformthe developmentofatailoredsupportprogramthatrespondstothosefindingsandalignswithGRPF’s investmentprinciples.
ThesurveywasdeliveredviaemailandpromotedthroughRUPA’sdigitalcommunication channels,ensuringaccessibilityacrossitsnationalnetwork.Atotalof76responseswerereceived frompastplayerslocatedacrossAustralia,representingawiderangeofages,playingeras,and post-rugbyexperiences.Preliminaryanalysisoftheresultshighlightedsignificantdemandfor increasedhealthandwellbeingservices,aswellasamorestructuredprogramforassisting playersastheydepartrugbyintheearlytransitionphase.
100%ofrespondentsexpressedinterestintoaccessingspecialisedhealthandwellbeingexposina groupsetting Belowoutlinesabreakdownofthespecificmedicalservicesthatwereofmost interest:
Itisimportanttonotethatchangestoanathlete’ssocialgroupmembershipsthroughoutthe processoftransitiondirectlyinfluencestheirsenseofselforidentity,whichcanbecriticalforan athlete’shealthandwellbeing.Arecentstudydoneonelitecricketplayers(Reesetal,2022), revealedthatformerplayerswhobelongedtosocial/supportgroups,hadsignificantpositive changestotheirgeneralhealthandperformance.
Thisisevidentthroughmanyplayerscommentingonthebenefitsof‘community’through‘past playershelpingotherpastplayers’,andcreatingacycleofsupport Thestrongresponsearound brainhealthandhearthealth,reflectsincreasedawarenessandconcernaroundthelong-term effectsofconcussionandcardiacissuesassociatedwithretiringfromelitesport Skincancer checks,sleephealthandvisionwerealsohighlyranked.Inaddition,injuriesacquiredduring playingcareerswerefoundtoimpactwellbeingyearsafterwithoneplayerstating:
“Myinjuriesfromplayinghaveimpactedmywellbeing/standardoflivingforyearsafterwards. Ihavesomedifficultyplayingwithmyfirstchildandfindinghobbiesthatwillkeepmehealthy. Ialsodevelopedunhealthyeatinghabits/poorknowledgeofproperdietawayfromthegame, andamonlystartingtogetbacktoahealthierweightyearsafterplaying.Moreworkneedsto
Otherdatacollectedfocusedonbuildingfundamental‘skillsforlife’aroundmanagingfinances, vocationaldevelopment,careerprogressionandupskilling,withplayersinterestedinthe followinglearnings:
“SOMEOFTHEMOST “SOMEOFTHEMOST “SOMEOFTHEMOST
IMPORTANTCONVERSATIONS IMPORTANTCONVERSATIONS IMPORTANTCONVERSATIONS
I’VEHADSINCERETIRINGHAVE I’VEHADSINCERETIRINGHAVE I’VEHADSINCERETIRINGHAVE HAPPENEDATTHOSEPAST HAPPENEDATTHOSEPAST HAPPENEDATTHOSEPAST PLAYERBREAKFASTS.THEY’VE PLAYERBREAKFASTS THEY’VE PLAYERBREAKFASTS.THEY’VE HELPEDMERECONNECT,SHARE HELPEDMERECONNECT,SHARE HELPEDMERECONNECT,SHARE STUFF,ANDREALISEI’MNOT STUFF,ANDREALISEI’MNOT STUFF,ANDREALISEI’MNOT ALONEINTHEUPSANDDOWNS ALONEINTHEUPSANDDOWNS ALONEINTHEUPSANDDOWNS AFTERFOOTY.” AFTERFOOTY.” AFTERFOOTY”
-BENALEXANDER(WALLABY -BENALEXANDER(WALLABY -BENALEXANDER(WALLABY #825) #825) #825)
“THETRANSITION/NETWORKING “THETRANSITION/NETWORKING “THETRANSITION/NETWORKING NIGHTWASANAMAZINGEVENTAT NIGHTWASANAMAZINGEVENTAT NIGHTWASANAMAZINGEVENTAT ROBERTWALTERS,ITALLOWEDTHE ROBERTWALTERS,ITALLOWEDTHE ROBERTWALTERS,ITALLOWEDTHE OLDERBOYSINTHESQUADTOMAKE OLDERBOYSINTHESQUADTOMAKE OLDERBOYSINTHESQUADTOMAKE SOMENETWORKSANDCONNECTIONS SOMENETWORKSANDCONNECTIONS SOMENETWORKSANDCONNECTIONS FROMAWIDERANGEOF FROMAWIDERANGEOF FROMAWIDERANGEOF
“HAVINGTHERIGHTPEOPLEINYOURCORNER “HAVINGTHERIGHTPEOPLEINYOURCORNER “HAVINGTHERIGHTPEOPLEINYOURCORNER DURINGTHATTIMEISINVALUABLE.IT’SNOTJUST DURINGTHATTIMEISINVALUABLE.IT’SNOTJUST DURINGTHATTIMEISINVALUABLE.IT’SNOTJUST ABOUTCONNECTINGWITHFORMERPLAYERSOR ABOUTCONNECTINGWITHFORMERPLAYERSOR ABOUTCONNECTINGWITHFORMERPLAYERSOR INDUSTRYSTAKEHOLDERS-IT’SABOUT INDUSTRYSTAKEHOLDERS-IT’SABOUT INDUSTRYSTAKEHOLDERS-IT’SABOUT KNOWINGTHATTHEREISGENUINECAREFOR KNOWINGTHATTHEREISGENUINECAREFOR KNOWINGTHATTHEREISGENUINECAREFOR YOUBEYONDTHEGAME.AHOLISTICAPPROACH YOUBEYONDTHEGAME.AHOLISTICAPPROACH YOUBEYONDTHEGAME.AHOLISTICAPPROACH THATSUPPORTSYOURFINANCIAL,PHYSICAL, THATSUPPORTSYOURFINANCIAL,PHYSICAL, THATSUPPORTSYOURFINANCIAL,PHYSICAL, ANDEMOTIONALWELLBEINGGIVESYOUTHE ANDEMOTIONALWELLBEINGGIVESYOUTHE ANDEMOTIONALWELLBEINGGIVESYOUTHE CONFIDENCETOGROWINTOTHEBESTVERSION CONFIDENCETOGROWINTOTHEBESTVERSION CONFIDENCETOGROWINTOTHEBESTVERSION OFYOURSELFINTHENEXTPHASEOFLIFE OFYOURSELFINTHENEXTPHASEOFLIFE. OFYOURSELFINTHENEXTPHASEOFLIFE.
INITIATIVESLIKETHESESHOWTHATYOU’RENOT INITIATIVESLIKETHESESHOWTHATYOU’RENOT INITIATIVESLIKETHESESHOWTHATYOU’RENOT FORGOTTENONCETHEBOOTSAREHUNGUP. FORGOTTENONCETHEBOOTSAREHUNGUP. FORGOTTENONCETHEBOOTSAREHUNGUP. YOU’RESTILLPARTOFTHERUGBYFAMILY,AND YOU’RESTILLPARTOFTHERUGBYFAMILY,AND YOU’RESTILLPARTOFTHERUGBYFAMILY,AND THATMAKESAHUGEDIFFERENCE.” THATMAKESAHUGEDIFFERENCE.” THATMAKESAHUGEDIFFERENCE.”
-JAMESHANSON(WALLABY#865) -JAMESHANSON(WALLABY#865) -JAMESHANSON(WALLABY#865)
PROFESSIONALSINDIFFERING PROFESSIONALSINDIFFERING PROFESSIONALSINDIFFERING INDUSTRIES.CAN'TTHANKRUPAAND INDUSTRIES.CAN'TTHANKRUPAAND INDUSTRIES.CAN'TTHANKRUPAAND ALLTHOSETHATWERETHEREENOUGH ALLTHOSETHATWERETHEREENOUGH ALLTHOSETHATWERETHEREENOUGH FORPUTTINGITTOGETHER.” FORPUTTINGITTOGETHER.” FORPUTTINGITTOGETHER”
HUGHSINCLAIR(FORMERRUPA HUGHSINCLAIR(FORMERRUPA HUGHSINCLAIR(FORMERRUPA PLAYERDIRECTOR) PLAYERDIRECTOR) PLAYERDIRECTOR)
“THERUPAAUSSIE7’SEVENTPROVIDEDAN “THERUPAAUSSIE7’SEVENTPROVIDEDAN “THERUPAAUSSIE7’SEVENTPROVIDEDAN EXCELLENTOPPORTUNITYTOEXPANDMY EXCELLENTOPPORTUNITYTOEXPANDMY EXCELLENTOPPORTUNITYTOEXPANDMY NETWORKBEYONDRUGBY.LEVERAGING NETWORKBEYONDRUGBY.LEVERAGING NETWORKBEYONDRUGBY.LEVERAGING RUPA’SEXTENSIVECONNECTIONS,THEY RUPA’SEXTENSIVECONNECTIONS,THEY RUPA’SEXTENSIVECONNECTIONS,THEY CURATEDASELECTIONOFINDUSTRY CURATEDASELECTIONOFINDUSTRY CURATEDASELECTIONOFINDUSTRY LEADERS,TAILOREDTOTHEAUSSIE7’S LEADERS,TAILOREDTOTHEAUSSIE7’S LEADERS,TAILOREDTOTHEAUSSIE7’S PLAYERSINTERESTS.FOLLOWING PLAYERSINTERESTSFOLLOWING PLAYERSINTERESTS.FOLLOWING ADDITIONALMEETINGSAFTERTHE ADDITIONALMEETINGSAFTERTHE ADDITIONALMEETINGSAFTERTHE NETWORKINGEVENT,IWASABLETO NETWORKINGEVENT,IWASABLETO NETWORKINGEVENT,IWASABLETO SECUREFUTUREEMPLOYMENTATCBA, SECUREFUTUREEMPLOYMENTATCBA, SECUREFUTUREEMPLOYMENTATCBA, THANKSTOTHERELATIONSHIPIDEVELOPED. THANKSTOTHERELATIONSHIPIDEVELOPED. THANKSTOTHERELATIONSHIPIDEVELOPED IHIGHLYRECOMMENDENGAGINGAND IHIGHLYRECOMMENDENGAGINGAND IHIGHLYRECOMMENDENGAGINGAND UTILIZINGRUPA’SSUPPORTSERVICES UTILIZINGRUPA’SSUPPORTSERVICES UTILIZINGRUPA’SSUPPORTSERVICES AVAILABLETOPLAYERSLOOKINGTOGROW AVAILABLETOPLAYERSLOOKINGTOGROW AVAILABLETOPLAYERSLOOKINGTOGROW THEIRNETWORKOUTSIDEOFRUGBY.” THEIRNETWORKOUTSIDEOFRUGBY.” THEIRNETWORKOUTSIDEOFRUGBY.”
NICKMALOUF(FORMERRUGBYSEVENS NICKMALOUF(FORMERRUGBYSEVENS NICKMALOUF(FORMERRUGBYSEVENS CAPTAIN) CAPTAIN) CAPTAIN)
ABEYONDTHEGAMECAMPWOULDBEAGREATINITIATIVE.HELPPLAYERS TRANSITIONINTOTHEIRNEXTPHASE.MAYBEGETPASTPLAYERSFROMA VARIETYOFINDUSTRIESTOCOMESPEAK?
ILOVETHIS.PLAYERSNEEDHELPTRANSITIONINGANDALLTHETHINGSMENTIONED COULDBEVALUABLETOSOMANY.IWOULDALSOLIKETOGETMYPILOTSLICENSEFOR SPRAYINGANDCOMMERCIALFLYING.
FACILITATINGSUPPORTANDCOMMUNITYFORPEOPLEGOINGTHROUGH TRANSITIONFROMPLAYINGRUGBYINTOGENERALLIFEWOULDBEGREAT. PROVIDINGOPPORTUNITIESFORGUYSTOCONNECTANDHAVEASENSEOFPLACE ASTHATISOFTENABIGHOLELEFTWHENGOINGTHROUGHTHATCHANGE.
IBELIEVETHERECOULDBEABETTERRELATIONSHIPWITHTHEWORLDPLAYERS ASSOCIATIONANDRUPA,WHICHWOULDSEECOHESIVEPROGRAMSTHATASSIST AUSTRALIANPLAYERSRETIRINGOVERSEASANDTRANSITIONINGBACKTOAUSTRALIA.
CREATINGANETWORKINGPLATFORMFORALLPASTPLAYERSTOSEEKSPECIFIC AREASOFINTEREST,SUPPORTORPROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENTWOULDBE VALUABLE.
PLEASECONTINUETOPROVIDEOPPORTUNITIESFORPASTPLAYERSTO ENGAGE.ITISREALLYWORTHWHILE,ALTHOUGHPASTPLAYERSMAYNOT ALWAYSFEELCOMFORTABLEDEPENDINGONTHEIRPERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCESANDFRAMEOFMIND IDON'TTHINKYOUCANFORCE THESETHINGS
MYINJURIESFROMPLAYINGHAVEIMPACTEDMYWELLBEING/STANDARDOFLIVINGFOR YEARSAFTERWARDS IHAVESOMEDIFFICULTYPLAYINGWITHMYFIRSTCHILDAND FINDINGHOBBIESTHATWILLKEEPMEHEALTHY IALSODEVELOPEDUNHEALTHYEATING HABITS/POORKNOWLEDGEOFPROPERDIETAWAYFROMTHEGAME,ANDAMONLY STARTINGTOGETBACKTOAHEALTHIERWEIGHTYEARSAFTERPLAYING MOREWORK NEEDSTOBEDONEFORPOST-PLAYINGHEALTHANDSAFETY
ITHINKTHECAMPWOULDBEREALLYIMPORTANTFORPLAYERSRETURNING HOMEAFTERRETIRINGFROMOVERSEAS.(IFTHEYHADASOLIDSUPERRUGBY CAREERINAUS)
