RPA Impact & Insights Report - 2025/26 - Report - Page 22

TOPIC TWO:
MORE THAN JUST A PLAYER
Planning for Life After Rugby
RPA ACTION & IMPACT
Preparing players for life beyond rugby is at the heart of the RPA’s personal
development strategy.
Through Gain Line and RPA Thrive, players have access to independent,
confidential support that helps them explore career opportunities, develop
new skills and build confidence for the future.
This season, RPA Thrive expanded with the appointment of its first Women’s
Player Central Support Manager, strengthening welfare, education and career
development support tailored to the demands of Premiership Women’s Rugby.
The programme’s continued growth has also been supported through a new
partnership with Mitsubishi Electric Europe, reinforcing the RPA’s long-term
commitment to supporting women both on and off the pitch.
Alongside one-to-one support, players can access workshops, qualifications,
education funding and practical learning opportunities designed to prepare
them for successful careers during and beyond rugby.
PLAYER INSIGHT
Player feedback continues to reinforce the importance of investing
in life beyond rugby. The latest Player Development & Wellbeing
Survey found:
92%
77%
80%
74%
say having access
to an independent
RPA Player
Development
Manager is
important.
believe they perform
better when their
development and
wellbeing are
supported away
from rugby.
feel supported by
the RPA to explore
and develop their
career options.
have already taken
active steps this
season to prepare
for life after rugby.
While confidence continues to grow, players identified career direction
and financial security as the biggest challenges they expect to face when
transitioning out of elite rugby. Similar themes emerged through RPA Thrive,
with women highlighting career development, financial literacy and balancing
dual careers alongside elite sport as key priorities.
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