The RUPA Roadshows serve as a unique opportunity for RUPA staff to connect with players and relevant rugby bodies to spread awareness on RUPA’s vital support services, as well as working collaboratively to increase understanding on what is most important to players careers and lives. Many topics were covered including the introduction of World Rugby’s Instrumented Mouth Guards (IMG’s) program, and RUPA’s ‘Advantage Line Program’. Read below for a summary on IMG:
Instrumented mouthguards (iMG) (i.e., mouthguards embedded with sensors) are now commercially available and are used across rugby. Their use provides insight into head acceleration event frequency and magnitude during training and match-play, which holds promise in informing the management of chronic load 3,4. The potential to signal high-magnitude head impact incidents causing possible concussive events, warranting an off-field assessment, serves as a complementary objective measure alongside the current methods of identification by match officials, team doctors, and independent match-day doctors through direct observation and video review.
Other topics that were covered included the fundamentality of RUPA’s role in protecting the longevity of player welfare through RUPA’s Player Career-Ending Insurance Scheme. Players heard from past Rugby Sevens and Brumbies player Tom Cusack, who in 2021 suffered from an illness which unfortunately ended his professional sporting career. Tom highlighted the importance of the insurance scheme in safe-guarding associated financial and welfare risks from career-ending injury; and creating peace of mind through the process.
Another area of discussion was around RUPA’s ‘Advantage Line Player Development Program’ which provides core skills for life across the 6 pillars of player development. For each of the pillars, there is a foundational set of outcomes that Player Development Managers drive in each of their clubs. James Holbeck expressed the importance of this program in shaping long-term plans for players in their career journey of high performance. In addition, James Holbeck addressed the importance of Psychological Safety and Mental Health where RUPA provides players with a toolbox of self-awareness skills to recognise thinking traps.
Justin Harrison highlighted the many Player Support Services that RUPA offer players throughout their career, including a new partnership initiative with Official Recruitment Partner Robert Walters. Robert Walters offer players specialised one-on-one sessions to develop vocational skills in their off-field career including; CV writing, LinkedIn support, networking skills, interview skills and career development plans.
As the 2024 Player Development Roadshow draws to a close, RUPA extends its appreciation to each Super Rugby Club for their enthusiastic participation and engagement in these catchups and we look forward to continuing to work as a collaborative, connected and informed group of people.
