News

Following the announcement of the Men’s Professional Game Partnership at the start of the season, the Rugby Players Association (RPA), Restart (the Players Charity), Premiership Rugby and Rugby Football Union (RFU) are pleased to announce that the Elite Player Support Fund has been officially launched.

The fund will be administered and supported by Restart and financed by the RFU and Premiership Rugby.

The fund will be available to support current players at Premiership Rugby clubs, as well as England senior men’s and women’s players, plus RFU contracted GB7’s players. The fund also seeks to support retired players.

The fund will initially focus on:

• providing medical treatment support for players who have retired in the past 12 months
• mental wellbeing support for current and retired players via the RPA Confidential Counselling Service
• providing a safety net for players and staff affected by any future insolvency events at their clubs.

As part of the agreement, a Grant Review Panel will be established to oversee the governance, functions, applications and grants provided by the Elite Player Support Fund. The Panel will be chaired by Jeremy Beard, Chair of the Restart Board of Trustees, with representatives from the RPA, RFU and Premiership Rugby.

Restart will continue its crucial function in applying its charitable funds to the needs of current and former players outside the remit of the Elite Player Support Fund, including PWR players.

Christian Day, General Secretary of the RPA, said: “The introduction of the Elite Player Support Fund was positioned by the Rugby Players Association as a key aspect of the newly established Men’s Professional Game Partnership. This initiative reinforces our dedication to supporting players, particularly those transitioning out of the game, by providing enhanced assistance for those facing physical or mental challenges. It is a powerful demonstration of the new partnership in action, ensuring that players receive the care and support they deserve both during and beyond their playing careers.”

Simon Massie-Taylor, Premiership Rugby CEO, said: “The launch of the Elite Player Support Fund is an important, progressive step for English Rugby. The health and wellbeing of our players is of paramount importance to Premiership Rugby and its clubs, and the formation of this fund provides an additional layer of security for both current players and those recently retired.”

Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO said: “The sport has an important role to play in supporting players who find themselves in challenging circumstances due to injury, mental health concerns or club insolvency. The RPA, Premiership Rugby and RFU, through the set-up of the Men’s Professional Game Partnership, acknowledged this and are pleased to have the fund operational for players to access as the need arises.”

Jeremy Beard, Chair of the Restart Board of Trustees, said: “We are delighted that the establishment of the Elite Player Support Fund will allow Restart Rugby to continue to support elite players and staff of professional clubs faced with certain challenging circumstances. This is a great step forward as we continue to strive to provide a robust and broad welfare offer”, for all elite players, male and female.”