Rugby Players' Association

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.[1]

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.

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]

In September 2024, the RPA released its first ever Impact Report.[5] It showcased impact of the work that we have delivered for the rugby eco-system in support of our members.

Current board

The following rugby union professionals playing in England make up the current RPA Players' Board, as of the 2024-25 season.[6]

Role Player Team
Chair Ruaridh McConnonchie Bath Rugby (men)
Vice-chair Freddie Clarke Gloucester Rugby (men)
Board Member Sarah Bern England Women
Brett Connon Newcastle Falcons (men)
Heather Cowell Great Britain 7s (women)
Tom Emery Great Britain 7s (men)
Will Evans Harlequins (men)
Emmanuel Iyogun Northampton Saints (men)
Max Lahiff Bristol Bears (men)
Simon McIntyre Sale Sharks (men)
Stuart Townsend Exeter Chiefs (men)
Ivan van Zyl Saracens (men)
Harry Wells Leicester Tigers (men)

Awards

The following have been recognised at the annual RPA Awards, as voted on by professional rugby union players in England, since 2010:[7]

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:[23]

2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
No. Player Team Player Team Player Team Player Team
1. Bevan Rodd Sale Bevan Rodd Sale Fin Baxter Harlequins Asher Opoku-Fordjour Sale
2. Nic Dolly Leicester Theo Dan Saracens Theo Dan Saracens Theo Dan Saracens
3. Joe Heyes Leicester Joe Heyes Leicester Asher Opoku-Fordjour Sale Afolabi Fasogbon Gloucester
4. Nick Isiekwe Saracens George Martin Leicester Dafydd Jenkins Exeter Freddie Thomas Gloucester
5. Ollie Chessum Leicester Hugh Tizard Saracens Ollie Chessum Leicester Arthur Clark Gloucester
6. Ben Earl Saracens Ted Hill Bath Chandler Cunningham-South Harlequins Guy Pepper Bath
7. Tom Pearson London Irish Tom Pearson London Irish Guy Pepper Newcastle Henry Pollock Northampton
8. Fitz Harding Bristol Fitz Harding Bristol Ross Vintcent Exeter Greg Fisilau Exeter
9. Harry Randall Bristol Gus Warr Sale Jack van Poortvliet Leicester Jack van Poortvliet Leicester
10. Marcus Smith Harlequins Fin Smith Northampton Fin Smith Northampton Fin Smith Northampton
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins London Irish Cadan Murley Harlequins Immanuel Feyi-Waboso Exeter Paul Brown-Bampoe Exeter
12. Dan Kelly Leicester Seb Atkinson Gloucester Max Ojomoh Bath Seb Atkinson Gloucester
13. Fraser Dingwall Northampton Ollie Lawrence Bath Oscar Beard Harlequins Oscar Beard Harlequins
14. Louis Rees-Zammit Gloucester Mateo Carreras Newcastle Tommy Freeman Northampton Immanuel Feyi-Waboso Exeter
15. Freddie Steward Leicester Joe Carpenter Sale Josh Hodge Exeter Ciaran Donoghue Bath

Since the 2023/24 season, the RPA have also voted for a Women's 15 Under 23 Team of the Season, from players from Premiership Women's Rugby.

2023-24 2024–25
No. Player Team Player Team
1. Abby Middlebrooke Exeter Chiefs Kelsey Clifford Saracens
2. Niamh Swailes Sale Lucy Calladine Loughborough
3. Kelsey Clifford Saracens Maud Muir Gloucester–Hartpury
4. Delaney Burns Bristol Bears Lilli Ives Campion Leicester
5. Lilli Ives Campion Loughborough Eva Donaldson Leicester
6. Maisy Allen Exeter Chiefs Georgia Brock Gloucester–Hartpury
7. Sadia Kabeya Loughborough Maisy Allen Exeter Chiefs
8. Evie Gallagher Bristol Bears Maddie Feaunati Exeter Chiefs
9. Tori Sellors Saracens Flo Robinson Exeter Chiefs
10. Lleucu George Gloucester–Hartpury Lizzie Duffy Sale
11. Reneeqa Bonner Bristol Bears Mia Venner Gloucester–Hartpury
12. Carmella Morrall Loughborough Clàudia Peña Harlequins
13. Sophie Bridger Saracens Emma Orr Bristol Bears
14. Katie Shillaker Harlequins Millie David Bristol Bears
15. Ellie Kildunne Harlequins Emma Sing Gloucester–Hartpury

Hall of Fame

The following players, coaches, officials, administrators and commentators have been inducted into the RPA Hall of Fame:[24]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The RPA". therpa.co.uk. The RPA. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  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. ^ "RPA Impact Report 2023/24". The RPA. The RPA. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  6. ^ "Our Team". therpa.co.uk. The RPA. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  7. ^ "The RPA Awards". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "The RPA Awards 2010". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "The RPA Awards 2011". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2012". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2013". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2014". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2015". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2016". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2017". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2018". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  17. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2019". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  18. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2020". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  19. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2021". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2022". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2023". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  22. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2024: Winners". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  23. ^ "RPA 15 Under 23". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  24. ^ "RPA Hall of Fame". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
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