Global Rugby Players Foundation

What Global Rugby Players Foundation does

The Global Rugby Players Foundation (GRPF) is a UK-registered charity (charity number 1204658), founded in May 2024 and headquartered in London, that supports professional rugby players — both current and former — as they transition beyond their playing careers. It was created by 11 former elite players, including Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson, Richie McCaw, and Siya Kolisi, in partnership with World Rugby and the International Rugby Players Association, with George Gregan as Chair of Trustees. Operations commenced on 1 June 2024 through four pilot programmes delivered via trusted in-region player associations in Ireland (Rugby Players Ireland), New Zealand (NZRPA), South Africa (My Players, with SARLA), and the Pacific Islands (Fiji, Samoa, Tonga).

GRPF's service portfolio spans five pillars: on-the-ground grant funding to regional player associations, centrally delivered programmes (including confidential mental health support and health research), individual and group career and business coaching, community events and networking, and — added in August 2025 — a free online learning platform offering on-demand courses on health, mental health, education, career, and financial literacy. The platform is open to any player who held a professional or international contract since 1 September 1995, with content released quarterly and multi-language support planned. A flagship global partnership with HSBC, announced in September 2025, adds five financial-health learning modules and HSBC Premier banking services for international player needs.

The Foundation is funded through donations, grants, and corporate sponsorship; all services are provided free of charge to eligible players. Go-to-market is community-led: regional player associations deliver on-the-ground services, while the central team — approximately seven staff — provides frameworks, grant funding, learning content, and partnerships. Marketing combines website, newsletter (700+ subscribers via Rugby Players Ireland), organic social media, events, and founder-led advocacy. The Foundation is currently led by Interim CEO Karina Murtagh, appointed 30 January 2026 following Sara Heath's departure.

Name

Global Rugby Players Foundation

Legal name

Global Rugby Players Foundation

Website

https://rugbyplayersfoundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Global Rugby Players Foundation is a UK charity founded in 2024 by 11 former elite players, with World Rugby and International Rugby Players Association, that delivers free transition support — mental health, career coaching, financial literacy, and community — to professional rugby players globally through regional player-association pilots and an online learning platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Player Welfare Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cause, Community & CSR-Linked Sports Partnerships (Foundations, Youth Programs) (MPAKALAJ), Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

Keywords

• Professional rugby support
• Player transition services
• Athlete wellbeing programmes
• Career transition coaching
• Online learning courses

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grant Funding: The foundation is funded through donations, grants, and charitable contributions. Initial funding came from World Rugby and through partnerships with International Rugby Players Association. The foundation receives funding from a range of funders and donors and has opened second round of grant funding for delivery partners globally.
2. Sponsorship and Partnership: Global partnership with HSBC announced in September 2025, with HSBC supporting players through career guidance, business building, and financial health resources. HSBC UK also supports players with international banking needs through HSBC Premier service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Global Rugby Players Foundation is a UK-registered charity that supports professional rugby players (men and women, 7s and 15s) as they transition from their playing careers to life after the game. It delivers free services including an online learning platform with on-demand courses, career and business coaching, confidential mental health support, community events, and grant-funded regional pilot programmes delivered through trusted player associations in Ireland, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and South Africa.

Product overview

The Global Rugby Players Foundation is a charity offering a portfolio of support services for professional rugby players transitioning beyond the game. The core offering includes an Online Learning Platform (Beyond the Game) providing free on-demand courses on health, mental health, education, and financial literacy; On the Ground Funding grants through regional player associations; Central Delivered Programmes offering mental health support and health research; Career and Business Coaching (individual and group sessions); and Community Support including forums and networking. Regional pilot programmes operate in Ireland, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, and South Africa, each tailored to local needs while sharing the common framework of supporting players through the transition from rugby.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Beyond the Game Online Learning Platform A free, self-serve online learning platform providing on-demand courses for current and former rugby players covering health and wellbeing, education, mental health, and financial literacy topics. Available 24/7 to players who played professionally or internationally since 1 September 1995, with new content released quarterly and planned multi-language support.
• On the Ground Funding Grant funding provided to player associations and trusted delivery partners for programmes lasting at least a year, tailored to regional differences, focused on mental health support, career support, and community connection for former and transitioning rugby players.
• GRPF Central Delivered Programmes Central programmes providing access to health and wellbeing initiatives, health research including women's health, and proactive mental health programmes including a confidential mental health support line for current and former players.
• Career and Business Coaching Individual and group coaching sessions supporting players in defining their future lives beyond rugby, including CV writing, career exploration, and entrepreneurship support, delivered through central programmes and partner Personal Development Managers.
• Community Support Development of community networks and connections including monthly forum meetings and events for former players to maintain camaraderie and support networks after leaving the game.
• Beyond the Game Ireland A pilot programme delivered in partnership with Rugby Players Ireland focused on four pillars: Change (transition support), Care (mental, physical, social, financial wellbeing), Community (peer sharing), and Connection (networks and mentoring). Reached over 200 past players and added a dedicated Personal Development Manager.
• The Aftermatch (New Zealand) A framework of support delivered by the New Zealand Rugby Players Association including a dedicated Personal Development Manager, access to counselling and psychology support, and individual career coaching for players transitioning out of professional rugby; supports 100+ former players.
• Pacific Rugby Players Programme Entrepreneurial activities and exposure for retired Pacific Island players through financial literacy education, business start-up programmes, business mentoring, and leadership training for players in Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. Reached 50+ participants in the first year.
• MyPlayers South Africa: Beyond the Game A comprehensive programme in partnership with MyPlayers and the South African Rugby Legends Association focused on transition support, wellbeing promotion, and sustainable career development using personality assessments and entrepreneurship lessons. Has conducted 400+ career sessions and 70+ one-on-one career advancement conversations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of professional players will have to find a second career when they finish playing.
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• HSBCflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 September 2025Landmark global partnership with HSBC announced September 2025. HSBC has supported rugby for over 25 years. The partnership will help players pursue new career paths, build successful businesses, and manage financial health. HSBC UK will also support players with international banking needs through HSBC Premier service. GRPF will add five brand-new online learning modules focused on financial health through this partnership.
• Rugby Players IrelandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2024Pilot programme partner delivering the 'Beyond the Game' programme in Ireland. Rugby Players Ireland is the collective voice of all professional rugby players in Ireland. The programme focuses on Change, Care, Community, and Connection. Has reached over 200 past players with a new Personal Development Manager dedicated to former players.
• New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2024Pilot programme partner delivering the 'AfterMatch' programme in New Zealand. Designed for players transitioning out of professional rugby careers. Extends services with a dedicated Personal Development Manager (PDM), access to counselling/psychology support, and individual career coaching. Now supporting 100+ former players.
• Pacific Rugby PlayerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2024Pilot programme partner representing male and female players of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. Delivers entrepreneurial activities and exposure to retired Pacific Island players through financial literacy, 'start your own business' programmes, business mentoring, and leadership training. Had 50+ participants in first year.
• My Players South AfricacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2024Pilot programme partner in collaboration with South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA). Dedicated to supporting retired rugby players facing challenges including identity loss, mental health concerns, and financial difficulties. Focus on transition support, wellbeing promotion, and sustainable career development. Conducted 400+ career sessions.
• South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Collaboration partner with My Players South Africa for the Beyond the Game programme in South Africa. Provides support for retired rugby players through comprehensive programme focused on transition support, wellbeing promotion and sustainable career development.
• World RugbycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2024Founding contributor to the Foundation. Through their global access to potential funders and resources, World Rugby is an important ongoing partner to help build and sustain the Foundation. Players approached World Rugby to help finance what is now the GRPF.
• International Rugby Players AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2024Through its global player associations, IRPA has successfully piloted some programmes for former players in several countries. They are key partners to extend these programmes to other countries and to guide the development of new programmes. The founders approached International Rugby Players with the initial request to develop the Foundation.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-rugby-players-foundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Global Rugby Players Foundation