LONDON: In response to the evolving needs of the world’s players in the modern sporting and societal environments, World Rugby and the International Rugby Players’ Association have announced details of a renewed strategic focus, presented within a new memorandum of understanding signed by both organisations.
The ground-breaking 2017-20 MOU doubles World Rugby’s financial commitment to £1.5 million over the period and will strengthen and further empower elite and amateur player representation within World Rugby’s decision-making structures, bringing player matters even closer to the heart of the revised governance model, launched in 2015.
The partnership aims to build on the success of the inaugural agreement, signed in 2007, which was defined by close collaboration on leading and highly-effective player welfare, laws review, discipline and athlete development programmes and the establishment of the Pacific Islands Players’ Association. It has also furthered world-class representation on the Laws Review Group, Rugby Committee, Women’s Advisory Committee and the Rugby Athletes’ Commission.
Key elements of the agreement include:
*A collaborative and proactive approach to addressing key international issues for the betterment of the global game;
*The joint management of the ongoing Rugby Athletes’ Commission and player consultation and input into the annual World Rugby Medical Commission Conference;
*A focus on all aspects of player welfare, including concussion, mental health and player load;
*An agreement to work together on priority collaborative projects such as agent registration and personal development programmes;
*A continued commitment to engage on research projects together, such as post tournament player surveys and reports; and
*The proactive involvement of players in game-related matters, including international player release, eligibility and availability, law reviews, and competition, tournament and season structure matters as they arise
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: “This agreement represents a defining moment for players around the world and reflects World Rugby’s ongoing commitment to ensure that players have a voice at every level of our decision-making processes, that we continue to ensure that players are at the heart of all our decisions, and that we listen and learn from their experiences to enhance their environment on and off the field.
“This renewed agreement will deliver a framework for a constructive partnership based on a common aim to further collaborate on areas of mutual interest that are key considerations for players from welfare and medical matters to career development after rugby and creating a framework that manages and standardises the role of agents.”
New IRPA CEO Omar Hassanein added: “This MOU greatly enhances our relationship with World Rugby and is fantastic news, for not only all professional players at the elite level but also for the game itself. It is a huge positive to have players better represented at boardroom level when key decisions are being made that affect the game of rugby.
“With IRPA acting as guardian to the entire professional player group globally, both parties are conscious that the strength of the relationship is in respecting the views of all stakeholders – not least the players themselves who are integral to the success of the game.”
The Rugby Athletes’ Commission, which was established in 2014 as a partnership between World Rugby and IRPA, is a key forum for players to voice their opinions and work with World Rugby to help with the provision of development and support programmes in the key areas of career, education and work experience, financial management, professional rugby obligations and mental health and wellness.
Areas relating to concussion, game training and playing load, injury prevention and rehabilitation and player health and welfare continue to be prioritised and, in particular, at the annual World Rugby Medical Commission Conference.
Double Rugby World Cup winning captain and IRPA Southern Hemisphere president Richie McCaw said: “This historic agreement between IRPA and World Rugby is ground-breaking in its nature, setting the tone for future interactions between professional players and administrators at a global level. I have no doubt that the organisation will go from strength to strength given the opportunities that this agreement presents and the strong relationship that exists with World Rugby.”
IRPA Northern Hemisphere president Jonathan Sexton added: “It’s important that players are united and have a strong voice in the game. This agreement with World Rugby is a good step forward to addressing many of issues facing rugby players across the world. I’m confident that IRPA can work positively and collaboratively with World Rugby and the domestic player associations and national unions to make the sport better for all involved, both on and off the field.”
