Rugby Players Ireland

Objectives

The associations objectives are:-

• To promote and protect the welfare of its members, both during and after their careers.
• To cater for the educational and welfare needs of its members, to ensure that they have sufficient preparation for the life after rugby.
• To work in partnership with the IRFU to further the cause of Rugby Union in Ireland.
• To be the representative mouthpiece for professional rugby players on issues of importance to the game.

Services

Rugby Players Ireland provides a Player Development Manager (PDM). The five pillars of Rugby Players Ireland's Player Development Programme are 1) Education, Training & Skills, 2) Social Engagement, 3) Financial Management & Planning, 4) Player Wellbeing and 5) Career Advice & Guidance. Each PDM works closely with the players on an individual level to prepare them for the transition to life after professional rugby.

The association also acts as a negotiator between players and their employer. They are involved with negotiating group contracts in areas such as match and win bonuses and act as a go-between in the event of disputes. In 2018, the remit of Rugby Players Ireland was extended to include the Irish 7s programme in addition to international women's players. This includes bringing industrial action if necessary.

History

In October 2001 Ireland's professional rugby players set up the Irish Rugby Union Players' Association. Over 95% of all players with a contract with the IRFU joined the new body. Liam Toland and Peter McKenna were appointed Chairman and Secretary.

In 2003, the members of the association realised the need for a full-time employee and former Ireland International Niall Woods was appointed the first full-time Chief Executive Officer.

In 2013, Rob Kearney would be elected as Chairman. Kearney would remain in the position until 2021 when he stepped down as Chairman.

On 12 April 2017, the organization changed its name from the Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) to Rugby Players Ireland.

Executive Board

• President/Chairman: Peter O'Mahony
• Chief Executive Officer: Simon Keogh
• Women's Rugby Rep: Enya Breen
• Men's 7s Rep: Billy Dardis
• Women's 7s Rep: Amee-Leigh Costigan
• Connacht Rugby Rep: Dave Heffernan
• Leinster Rugby Rep: Garry Ringrose
• Ulster Rugby Rep: Iain Henderson
• Non-Executive Director: Maura Quinn
• Non-Executive Director: Peter McKenna
• Non-Executive Director: Ciarán Medlar

Awards

Rugby Players Ireland has run the annual Rugby Players Ireland Awards dinner from 2002 which gives recognition to rugby players in a number of categories. The awards dinner is run to support the Rugby Players Ireland Foundation. The most prestigious award is the Players' Player of the Year award which is voted for by playing members of Rugby Players Ireland.

Players' Player of the Year winners

• Tommy Bowe was also awarded the 2010 WRPA Players' Player of the Year Award.

Other awards

Other awards include the Young Player of the Year award, Try of the Year and the Unsung Hero as well as the Hall of Fame.

List of Hall of Fame inductees

The Rugby Players Ireland Hall of Fame includes the following members:

Rugby Players Ireland Foundation

Rugby Players Ireland administers the injured players fund which provides support to players who are forced to retire from rugby due to illness or injury. The fund is reliant on individual and corporate donations. The Rugby Players Ireland annual awards dinner is also a major part of its fundraising activity. Following the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Rugby Players Ireland made a donation of €20,000 from the injured players fund to assist with relief efforts through aid agency Concern.

References

References

1. "IRUPA HOME PAGE".
2. (15 September 2008). "Preparing for the life less ordinary". [[Irish Independent]].
3. (15 January 2010). "IRUPA Members Donate €20,000 to Concern Earthquake Appeal". Emerald Rugby.
4. (19 November 2004). "IRFU meeting IRUPA over pay dispute".
5. (25 May 2004). "IRFU 'disrespectful', claim players". Irish Examiner.
6. "ABOUT US".
7. Ireland, Rugby Players. (2021-01-07). "A Final Note from the Chairman".
8. (12 April 2017). "IRUPA to become 'Rugby Players Ireland'". [[Irish Rugby Football Union]].
9. (27 April 2010). "The Irish Rugby Union Players' Association has announced the nominations for Player of the Year for 2010". sportsnewsireland.com.
10. (19 May 2003). "IRUPA Mira Rugby Players Awards 2003".
11. (20 May 2004). "IRUPA Awards". irishrugby.ie.
12. (5 May 2005). "O'Connor wins Irish players gong". BBC.
13. (15 May 2006). "BT IRUPA Rugby Players Awards 2006".
14. (25 April 2007). "D'Arcy picks up second Players' Player gong".
15. (12 May 2010). "Bowe Voted Irish Players' Player of the Year". irishrugby.ie.
16. (6 May 2009). "O'Driscoll Chosen As IRUPA Players' Player of the Year". irishrugby.ie.
17. (4 May 2011). "Nacewa scoops IRUPA award".
18. Sara Jane English. (3 May 2015). "12 Years of IRUPA Awards – Stats & Facts".
19. (13 May 2015). "O'Connell Is IRUPA Players' Player of the Year". Munster Rugby.
20. (4 May 2016). "Stander Voted IRUPA Players' Player of the Year". Munster Rugby.
21. (11 May 2017). "Murray Voted Rugby Players Ireland Player of the Year". Munster Rugby.
22. (16 May 2018). "Earls Voted Players' Player of the Year at Irish Rugby Awards". Munster Rugby.
23. (16 May 2019). "James Ryan Scoops Double at Zurich Irish Rugby Players Awards". Irish Rugby.
24. [https://www.irishrugby.ie/2020/10/17/ringrose-and-moloney-win-player-of-the-year-awards/ "Ringrose And Moloney Win Player Of The Year Awards"], Irish Rugby, 17 October 2020
25. [https://www.irishrugby.ie/2021/12/03/henshaw-and-wall-win-irish-players-player-of-the-year-awards/ "Henshaw And Wall Win Irish Players’ Player Of The Year Awards"], Irish Rugby, 3 December 2021
26. [https://www.the42.ie/rugby-players-ireland-awards-5767804-May2022/#:~:text=and%20Sam%20Monaghan.-,Rugby%20Players%20Ireland%27s%20Men%27s%20and%20Women%27s%20Players%20of%20the%20Year,Players%20Ireland%20Awards%20this%20evening. "Josh van der Flier and Sam Monaghan voted Players of the Year by Irish-rugby peers"], The 42, 18 May 2022
27. (17 May 2023). "Rugby Players Ireland Awards 2023 Winners Announced".
28. Ireland, Rugby Players. (2024-05-22). "Aki & Wafer the Big Winners at Rugby Players Ireland Awards".
29. Ireland, Rugby Players. (2025-05-29). "Rugby Players Ireland Awards 2025".
30. (19 May 2010). "Bowe scoops Welsh honour". Scrum.com.
31. "Hall of Fame".
32. "Injured players fund".
33. (9 April 2009). "IRUPA Award Nominees Announced".