The Rugby Players' Association (RPA) is a trade union representing athletes who currently play or have played rugby union in England at a professional or semi-professional level. The RPA is the representative body and collective voice of professional rugby players in England and represents more than 800 male and female current rugby players, as well as more than 400 former players.
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.
The RPA has also acted as the exclusive commercial representative of the England Team since 2004 and performs the following duties on behalf of Team England: Negotiation of the Elite Players Squad Contract, England and Saxons match fees, England team win bonuses and Image Rights payments with the RFU. In August 2021, it was announced that the RPA would also act as exclusive commercial representatives for the England Women.[1]
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 Monday 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
editThe following rugby union professionals playing in England make up the current RPA Players' Board, as of the 2023–24 season:[5]
| Role | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Chairman |  Ethan Waller | Northampton (men) |
| Vice-Chairman | Harry Elrington | Gloucester (men) |
| Board Member | Sarah Bern | Bristol (women) |
 Brett Connon | Newcastle (men) | |
| Alex Davis | Great Britain 7s (men) | |
| Will Evans | Harlequins (men) | |
| Max Lahiff | Bristol (men) | |
 Ruaridh McConnochie | Bath (men) | |
| Simon McIntyre | Sale (men) | |
| Stuart Townsend | Exeter (men) | |
 Ivan van Zyl | Saracens (men) | |
| Harry Wells | Leicester (men) | |
| Amy Wilson-Hardy | Great Britain 7s (women) |
Awards
editThe following players have been recognised at the annual RPA Awards, as voted for by professional players in England, since 2010:[6]
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15 Under 23
editThe 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]
Hall of Fame
editThe following players, coaches, officials, administrators and commentators have been inducted into the RPA Hall of Fame:[23]
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See also
edit- Rugby Union Players Association, Australian national association for players' interests formed in October 1995
- Rugby Players Ireland, Irish national association for players' interests formed in October 2001
- Welsh Rugby Players Association, Welsh national association for players' interests formed in 2003
References
edit- ^ "RPA APPOINTED AS EXCLUSIVE COMMERCIAL AND WELFARE REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE RED ROSES". The RPA Website. RPA. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
- ^ Hopley continues as players' boss BBC 2006-10-30 Retrieved on 2009-02-13.
- ^ "The RPA on Twitter". Twitter. The RPA. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "Christian Day Elected General Secretary of the RPA". The RPA. The RPA.
- ^ "Our Team - The RPA". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "The RPA Awards". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2010". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2011". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2012". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2013". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2014". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2015". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2016". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2017". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2018". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2019". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2020". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2021". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2022". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2023". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ a b "The RPA Awards 2024: Winners". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "RPA 15 Under 23". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "RPA Hall of Fame". therpa.co.uk. Rugby Players' Association. Retrieved 30 December 2023.