News

The PPF are pleased to announce the election of Richard Bryan as a Director following its recent Annual General Meeting. Richard is Player Welfare Director at the Rugby Players Association. He replaces Andy Wright of the Professional Golfers Association who stepped down after three successful years in the role.

Richard is a qualified solicitor and former professional rugby player for Bath, Bridgend, Dragons, and Leeds Tykes, Richard joined the RPA in 2011 from Clarke Willmott solicitors, where he had advised the RPA on legal matters. He initially worked as a Player Development Manager for the RPA and became Player Welfare Director in 2014, leading on player welfare and legal matters. He previously served as a Player Representative on the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association Board. In January 2024, he played a pivotal role in securing protective award compensation for members of Wasps, Worcester Warriors, and London Irish following the collapse of those clubs and the resulting player redundancies.

Richard Bryan said:

“Having represented the RPA on the PPF Board for a number of years and seen the crucial work of the PPF first hand in that time, I am delighted to now be joining the PPF as a director. The PPF performs an essential function in bringing together player associations from across the UK, united in furthering representation of elite players and championing player welfare. Elite athletes from across multiple sports share common challenges in the form of brain health, playing and training load, mental health and online abuse to name a few. Meeting these challenges together, makes the work of the PPF more important than ever.”

Brendon Batson OBE, Chair of the PPF, said:

“The PPF is delighted to welcome Richard as our new Director. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge which will help us to continue protecting players rights and promoting their interests within the changing landscape of professional sport. We would also like to thank Andy Wright for his excellent work modernizing the governance of the PPF.”

Find out more about Richard, his experience and his role as PPF Director in the latest PPF Staff Spotlight feature.