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 Rugby 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.
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Rugby Players' Association Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA