The Professional Rugby Players' Association
Encyclopedia
The Rugby Players Association (RPA) is a trade union
representing athletes who currently play or have played rugby union
in England at a professional or semi-professional level. Established in 1998, it was originally called the Professional Rugy Players' Association (PRA); in October 2009 it changed its name and expanded its membership. It is intended to protect and promote the needs of players as well as more generally to advance rugby union.
The RPA was founded by professional player Damian Hopley
, who was forced to early retirement after an injury. Among its missions, it seeks to assist members in similar circumstances or facing other hardships, such as illnesses.
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
representing athletes who currently play or have played rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
in England at a professional or semi-professional level. Established in 1998, it was originally called the Professional Rugy Players' Association (PRA); in October 2009 it changed its name and expanded its membership. It is intended to protect and promote the needs of players as well as more generally to advance rugby union.
The RPA was founded by professional player Damian Hopley
Damian Hopley
Damian Hopley born 12 April 1970 in London, is a former rugby union player for London Wasps and England.Hopley's position of choice was on the wing or in the centres....
, who was forced to early retirement after an injury. Among its missions, it seeks to assist members in similar circumstances or facing other hardships, such as illnesses.