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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.

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

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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

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The following rugby union professionals playing in England make up the current RPA Players' Board, as of the 2024-25 season.[5]

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

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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

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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. Player Team Player Team Player Team
1.   Bevan Rodd Sale   Bevan Rodd Sale   Fin Baxter Harlequins
2.   Nic Dolly Leicester   Theo Dan Saracens   Theo Dan Saracens
3.   Joe Heyes Leicester   Joe Heyes Leicester   Asher Opoku-Fordjour Sale
4.   Nick Isiekwe Saracens   George Martin Leicester   Dafydd Jenkins Exeter
5.   Ollie Chessum Leicester   Hugh Tizard Saracens   Ollie Chessum Leicester
6.   Ben Earl Saracens   Ted Hill Bath   Chandler Cunningham-South Harlequins
7.   Tom Pearson London Irish   Tom Pearson London Irish   Guy Pepper Newcastle
8.   Fitz Harding Bristol   Fitz Harding Bristol   Ross Vintcent Exeter
9.   Harry Randall Bristol   Gus Warr Sale   Jack van Poortvliet Leicester
10.   Marcus Smith Harlequins   Fin Smith Northampton   Fin Smith Northampton
11.   Ollie Hassell-Collins London Irish   Cadan Murley Harlequins   Immanuel Feyi-Waboso Exeter
12.   Dan Kelly Leicester   Seb Atkinson Gloucester   Max Ojomoh Bath
13.   Fraser Dingwall Northampton   Ollie Lawrence Bath   Oscar Beard Harlequins
14.   Louis Rees-Zammit Gloucester   Mateo Carreras Newcastle   Tommy Freeman Northampton
15.   Freddie Steward Leicester   Joe Carpenter Sale   Josh Hodge Exeter

Hall of Fame

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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

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  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". therpa.co.uk. The RPA. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  6. ^ "The RPA Awards". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "The RPA Awards 2010". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "The RPA Awards 2011". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2012". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2013". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2014". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2015". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2016". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2017". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2018". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2019". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  17. ^ a b c d e "The RPA Awards 2020". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  18. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2021". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  19. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2022". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d "The RPA Awards 2023". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d "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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