RPA Impact & Insights Report - 2025/26 - Report - Page 80
INSIGHTS
RPA RETIRED PLAYER
SURVEY 2026 INSIGHTS
In March 2026, the RPA surveyed 319 of our retired
male and female players* to better understand their
journey into life after rugby and the importance
of attitudes towards health, identity & transition,
fertility and parenthood, community, education
& career and their quality of life.
HEALTH
95%
100%
of all respondents said they
would have/do want some form
of physical support in first 2-3
years post-retirement.
of all respondents who have retired in
the last five years said they would have/
do want some sort of physical support in
the first 2-3 years post retirement.
BRAIN HEALTH
58% OF MEN & 39% OF WOMEN
have concerns about their future brain health.
TRANSITION
57%
OF
MEN
45%
OF
44% MEN
OF
WOMEN
described transitioning into a
career after rugby as somewhat
or very challenging, compared to
23% of women.
*233 men & 86 women
80
struggled with identity
in retirement.
