Rugby Players' Association

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The Rugby Players' Association (RPA) is a trade union representing elite rugby rugby union players in England. The RPA is the representative body and collective voice of elite rugby players in England and represents more than 600 male and female current rugby players, as well as more than 100 former players.

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They support, promote & protect past, present & future elite rugby players in England. Their vision is for players to be valued and respected as partners in a united game.

Overview

RPA members qualify for a wide range of benefits, including: independent representation; legal advice; personal and professional development; playing insurance; education; confidential counselling; transition support; and more. Members can also access the support of a charity, Restart, in the event of serious illness, injury or hardship.

Their aims as stated on their website [1] are:

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 behind the scenes. Our team goes above and beyond for each other and our members.

The RPA was founded by professional player Damian Hopley, who was forced to early retirement after an injury. [2]

The RPA announced that Hopley was to leave the organisation after 24 years in charge of the company. His last day was on Monday 15 August, with a visit to Wasps. [3]

On 16 January 2023, it was announced that Christian Day, was elected the new General Secretary of the RPA, following an election to the membership. [4]

Current board

The following rugby union professionals playing in England make up the current RPA Players' Board, as of the 2023–24 season: [5]

RolePlayerTeam
Chairman Flag of England.svg Ethan Waller Northampton (men)
Vice-Chairman Flag of England.svg Harry Elrington Gloucester (men)
Board Member Flag of England.svg Sarah Bern Bristol (women)
IRFU flag.svg Brett Connon Newcastle (men)
Flag of England.svg Alex Davis Great Britain 7s (men)
Flag of England.svg Will Evans Harlequins (men)
Flag of England.svg Max Lahiff Bristol (men)
Flag of Scotland.svg Ruaridh McConnochie Bath (men)
Flag of England.svg Simon McIntyre Sale (men)
Flag of England.svg Stuart Townsend Exeter (men)
Flag of South Africa.svg Ivan van Zyl Saracens (men)
Flag of England.svg Harry Wells Leicester (men)
Flag of England.svg Amy Wilson-Hardy Great Britain 7s (women)

Awards

The following have been recognised at the annual RPA Awards, as voted on by professional rugby union players in England, since 2010: [6]

15 Under 23

The following teams represent the 15 Under 23, consisting of the top players in England aged 23 and under, as selected by voters, each year since 2022: [22]

2021–22 2022–23 2023–24
No.PlayerTeamPlayerTeamPlayerTeam
1. Flag of England.svg Bevan Rodd Sale Flag of England.svg Bevan Rodd Sale Flag of England.svg Fin Baxter Harlequins
2. Flag of England.svg Nic Dolly Leicester Flag of England.svg Theo Dan Saracens Flag of England.svg Theo Dan Saracens
3. Flag of England.svg Joe Heyes Leicester Flag of England.svg Joe Heyes Leicester Flag of England.svg Asher Opoku-Fordjour Sale
4. Flag of England.svg Nick Isiekwe Saracens Flag of England.svg George Martin Leicester Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Dafydd Jenkins Exeter
5. Flag of England.svg Ollie Chessum Leicester Flag of England.svg Hugh Tizard Saracens Flag of England.svg Ollie Chessum Leicester
6. Flag of England.svg Ben Earl Saracens Flag of England.svg Ted Hill Bath Flag of England.svg Chandler Cunningham-South Harlequins
7. Flag of England.svg Tom Pearson London Irish Flag of England.svg Tom Pearson London Irish Flag of England.svg Guy Pepper Newcastle
8. Flag of England.svg Fitz Harding Bristol Flag of England.svg Fitz Harding Bristol Flag of Italy.svg Ross Vintcent Exeter
9. Flag of England.svg Harry Randall Bristol Flag of Scotland.svg Gus Warr Sale Flag of England.svg Jack van Poortvliet Leicester
10. Flag of England.svg Marcus Smith Harlequins Flag of England.svg Fin Smith Northampton Flag of England.svg Fin Smith Northampton
11. Flag of England.svg Ollie Hassell-Collins London Irish Flag of England.svg Cadan Murley Harlequins Flag of England.svg Immanuel Feyi-Waboso Exeter
12. Flag of England.svg Dan Kelly Leicester Flag of England.svg Seb Atkinson Gloucester Flag of England.svg Max Ojomoh Bath
13. Flag of England.svg Fraser Dingwall Northampton Flag of England.svg Ollie Lawrence Bath Flag of England.svg Oscar Beard Harlequins
14. Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Louis Rees-Zammit Gloucester Flag of Argentina.svg Mateo Carreras Newcastle Flag of England.svg Tommy Freeman Northampton
15. Flag of England.svg Freddie Steward Leicester Flag of England.svg Joe Carpenter Sale Flag of England.svg Josh Hodge Exeter

Hall of Fame

The following players, coaches, officials, administrators and commentators have been inducted into the RPA Hall of Fame: [23]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "About Us". The RPA.
  2. ↑ Hopley continues as players' boss BBC 2006-10-30 Retrieved on 2009-02-13.
  3. ↑ "The RPA on Twitter". Twitter. The RPA. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  4. ↑ "Christian Day Elected General Secretary of the RPA". The RPA.
  5. ↑ "Our Team - The RPA". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  6. ↑ "The RPA Awards". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 "The RPA Awards 2010". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 "The RPA Awards 2011". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "The RPA Awards 2012". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "The RPA Awards 2013". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "The RPA Awards 2014". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "The RPA Awards 2015". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "The RPA Awards 2016". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "The RPA Awards 2017". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "The RPA Awards 2018". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "The RPA Awards 2019". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "The RPA Awards 2020". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "The RPA Awards 2021". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  19. 1 2 3 4 "The RPA Awards 2022". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "The RPA Awards 2023". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  21. 1 2 3 4 "The RPA Awards 2024: Winners". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  22. ↑ "RPA 15 Under 23". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "RPA Hall of Fame". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
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