6/07/2012
Today’s Presentation 1) Introduction to RUPA. 2) Type of CONTRACTS. 3) Life OFF THE FIELD. 4) Role of a PLAYER AGENT.
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The Pathway. Wallaby
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Aspiring to represent as an Australian Schoolboy.
Contracted Player
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Over 1100 Australian Schoolboys since 1960’s.
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Just over 25% receive professional contracts.
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Less than 10% go on to play for the Wallabies.
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Expectations, support and the need to have a BALANCE.
Academy Programs
National Schoolboys
State Schoolboys
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Who is RUPA? •
The Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) was established in 1995 in response to the start of the professional era of Australian Rugby.
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RUPA was born, and continues to operate, as a direct result of the strength and support of a unified professional playing group. It is an association of players, which exists…
For the players and the game. •
At its inception, RUPA was created by the players in order to ensure that they were not disadvantaged or compromised by the professionalism of rugby, which required all professional players to conform to standard contracts of employment and give the right to the ARU and the Super Rugby teams to use their image rights.
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Current Members Super Rugby, Academy & Sevens.
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The RUPA’s mission statement is:
"To collectively develop and promote the best possible professional standards and conditions for its members, and the growth of rugby."
Who is RUPA? RUPA’s operations are directed and governed by a Board, consisting of current and former player representatives from across the country.
The RUPA Board in 2012 is…
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What does RUPA do? •
RUPA provides a number of key services to professional players which can be broken up into two main categories…
Board
Player Services
CEO Greg Harris
Business Manager Toby Duncan
PS&CO Manager Ross Xenos
Solicitor Tom Brett
Personal & Career Development
NPD Manager Rosemary Towner
Admin Coordinator Glenys Smith
What does RUPA do? •
RUPA provides a number of key services to professional players which can be broken up into two main categories…
Player Services
Personal & Career Development
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Minimum Standards & Entitlements
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Further Education & Training
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Standard Player Contracts
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Career Planning
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Image Rights
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Personal Counselling
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Player Injury Insurance
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Mentoring
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Player Agent Accreditation
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Work Placement & Experience
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Tax & Legal Services
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Retirement Transitioning
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Occupational Health & Safety
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Code of Conduct & Anti-doping
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This is a joint program between the
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Superannuation & Leave
ARU and RUPA
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Types of Contracts. •
There are currently four different types of Professional Rugby Contracts (excluding 7’s):
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Standard Player (CPS) Contract
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Extended Playing Squad (EPS) Contract
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Short Term Player Contract
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Academy Contract
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Types of Contracts. Contract Comparison Matrix
Standard Player Contract
Extended Playing Squad Contract
Short-Term Player Contract
Base Salary in 2012
$61,464 (minimum only)
$42,121
$2,481 per Game.
Term
1 Jan – 31 Dec
1 Oct – 30 Sept
N/A
Upgrade
No upgrade
Upgrade to SPC on playing 3rd Super Rugby Game.
Upgrade to SPC on playing 5th Super Rugby Game.
Leave
4 weeks of Leave + 4 weeks of Active Rest
4 weeks of Leave + 4 weeks of Active Rest
N/A
Focus on Academy Contracts.
Contract Comparison
Academy Contract
Minimum Salary
There is no minimum or maximum payment to an Academy player. However, you are entitled to have your rugby costs reimbursed.
Term
1 October – 30 September, for a maximum of two years.
Playing
Under the current ARU rules, you will only be eligible to play Super Rugby if CPS and EPS players in your position are injured or ineligible to play.
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Focus on Academy Contracts. Contract Comparison
Academy Contract
Maximum of fourteen (14) hours per week playing or training Maximum four (4) hours of medical, meetings etc. Time Management
Maximum of three (3) camps, each a max of four (4) days. Maximum of two (2) tours, each a maximum of ten (10) days and an additional tour of a maximum of three (3) weeks. With the support of the PACD program, the ARU will ensure that your studies to remain a high priority. Four (4) weeks Annual Leave where you are not required to perform any activity.
Leave Periods
Four (4) weeks of “Unsupervised Active Rest” where you are required to do ongoing training as directed by a training schedule provided by your Union.
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Personal & Career Development. 70% of players believe they perform better as a player if they integrate their career and education development throughout the year Do you have to? •
Clause 17 of every player contract states that you must be undertaking some form of career & training development throughout your contract.
Education • •
Players are individually assisted to identify and pursue various education options including TAFE, Cert III & IV’s, University, etc. Exams are scheduled & supervised whilst in camp, if necessary
Who is RUPA? • • • • •
Wellbeing & Health support Access to Relationships Australia in addition to Chaplains Support for Players, partners and families Topics can include Depression, Gambling, Alcohol, grief counselling Involved in crisis/risk management & support
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Personal & Career Development. Professional Development • • • • • • • •
Anti Vilification workshops – compulsory Financial Education – varying levels Public Speaking Social Media – Twitter guidelines, Facebook security Nutrition Responsible alcohol & drug education program – tiered from u20s to Senior Targeted to needs of the players – small groups Networking opportunities
Other PACD Services • • • • •
Wellbeing & Health support Access to Relationships Australia in addition to Chaplains Support for Players, partners and families Topics can include Depression, Gambling, Alcohol, grief counselling Involved in crisis/risk management & support
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Role of a Player Agent. The principal roles of a player agent are: •
To negotiate & manage your professional rugby contract
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Depending on your instructions, to seek out professional rugby playing opportunities with various teams and make them aware of you’re availability
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Seek and obtain personal endorsements, marketing and image rights deals
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Provide ongoing advice on contractual, financial and other non-rugby related issues through their specialist and qualified network of companies or individuals
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Provide mentoring on the progress of your rugby career (in Australia and overseas)
How do you know which one to choose or whether you need one? Much like choosing an accountant, stock broker, or real estate agent, Player Agents provide a professional service. Appointing an Agent is about improving your capacity to conduct the business affairs related to your playing career. Choosing an Agent is like selecting any of the above examples, its about a trusting relationship and knowing that they have the necessary skills to assist you. BUT…
Player Agents. • Any individual wishing you represent you as a Player Agent who is not a member of your immediate family, must be ACCREDITED with RUPA. •
RUPA administers a compulsory Player Agent Accreditation Scheme in order to: • • • •
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Regulates all agents behaviour and conduct Provides credibility to accredited agents Ensures agents are educated and understanding of key rugby and contractual issues Minimises the risk of conflict and misrepresentation.
In addition to not meeting the criteria of Accreditation, anyone acting as an agent who is unaccredited…
Will not be able to negotiate on your behalf with the ARU or any Super Rugby Club.
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Player Agents. Accredited Agents are bound by a Code of Conduct, and as a general rule, have: A thorough knowledge of the framework in which Australia’s rugby players are employed; A through knowledge of the Regulations, Bye-Laws and Codes which apply to rugby players; Have an understanding of and adherence to the ethics, ethos and culture of Australian Rugby Provide all players with certainty and predictability regarding services provided.
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What to sign? You MUST sign a contract with any Player Agent which is titled
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“Standard Player Agent Agreement”. This is a RUPA prescribed agreement which all agents must use. You should ensure you read any document carefully before signing and be familiar with terms and conditions. How do I know they’re accredited? List available on the RUPA website – www.rupa.com.au Contact RUPA direct.
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Any QUESTIONS? • www.rupa.com.au •
(02) 9519 8211
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[email protected]
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@rupanews on Twitter
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