PRA
PRA BECOMES THE RUGBY PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION
The Professional Rugby Players’ Association (PRA) is refocusing and expanding to become the Rugby Players’ Association. The RPA will be more inclusive and will increase the number of players who can benefit from the RPA’s excellent range of services. As well as over 500 players from the Guinness Premiership, the RPA will now open membership to rugby players from different tiers of the game, including players from the Championship, elite players from Women’s rugby and retired players, who will form the RPA Alumni. The RPA has also launched a new brand identity and a new brand proposition: ‘For the Players, For the Game.’ RPA members England Captain, Steve Borthwick and young Wasps player Joe Simpson joined the RPA to make the landmark announcement.
Damian Hopley, RPA CEO said, “The Rugby Players’ Association will embrace a broader membership, promoting and protecting their interests to safeguard their futures both on and off the pitch. While the organisation has had an exceptional record of success since its inception 11 years ago, the changes will ensure the RPA is even better positioned to support the players and the growth of rugby union. The new direction will help provide our members with the best chance of achieving their full potential as sports men and women.” David Barnes, PRA Chairman said “The RPA has undertaken a great deal of positive work to support our members, including world class education programmes that help players to be role models for young people and be positive ambassadors for Rugby Union. The expansion will ensure that the players continue to benefit from an effective and independent players’ union.”
Steve Borthwick, England and Saracens Captain said, “For the players, it is vital that we have a strong, proactive and supportive union. The RPA is responding to the changing needs of the players and the sport.” The RPA also announced former Leicester Tigers player Matt Hampson as the first RPA Benevolent Fund Ambassador. Matt suffered a catastrophic injury whilst training with England U21 in 2005, and was presented with a cheque for £20,000 from the RPA Benevolent Fund to assist with the costs of installing a hydrotherapy pool in his purpose built house. The RPA Benevolent Fund – The Players’ Charity – was established in 2001 to provide financial support for players who have been forced to retire from the game due to serious injury or illness, and support players’ families in the event of their untimely death.
Rugby players face off for Movember
The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) are championing the return of the moustache this month as partners of ‘Movember’, the charity initiative that aims to change the face of men’s health. Movember involves men, or ‘Mo Bros’, with support from ‘Mo Sistas’, growing a ‘Mo’ (Australian slang for a moustache) throughout the month, to raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity (TPCC). As partners of Movember, the RPA Benevolent Fund will also receive 20% of all rugby related donations made to the TPCC. Supporters of rugby and Movember can follow the players’ mo growing progress via the RPA website, www.theRPA.co.uk, and can sponsor every player participating via the RPA website. Damian Hopley, CEO of the RPA said: “With prostate cancer now the most common cancer in men, the players are proud to be able to help raise awareness and funds to fight prostate cancer on every front.”
