Forty-seven accredited player agents from across the country gathered in Sydney last Wednesday for the Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) Annual Agent Accreditation Conference, as part of the Australian Rugby Player Agent Accreditation Scheme.
The conference is a compulsory component of the Scheme, which was established in 2005 to ensure agents’ competence in acting for and behalf of rugby players, both amateur and professional.
Hosted each year at the Sydney Cricket Ground, representatives from RUPA’s partner organisations were in attendance to present to accredited agents on a range of services they can provide to assist in key areas of a professional rugby player’s lives, both on and off the field.
Presentation topics included player income protection and insurance, presented by Australian Reliance, financial planning and taxation, presented by Hall Chadwick, player citizenship and Visas, presented by FCB Group, foreign exchange, presented by AFEX and furthering players’ education, presented by Kaplan Professional.
Representatives from the Australian Rugby Union also provided updates on the game’s key policies and regulations, as well as development pathways and contracting.
RUPA CEO Ross Xenos said the conference plays a crucial role in ensuring Accredited Agents are equipped with the knowledge required to support Australia’s professional rugby players.
“Our annual Accredited Agent Conference is a really important opportunity to engage in-person with RUPA Accredited Agents and provide them with a higher level understanding of the strategies and workings of RUPA and the ARU, and the key challenges that we currently face in the game.
“As part of the broader Agent Accreditation Scheme, the conference is a critical touch-point to ensure that all those who have committed to comply with the rules and regulations of the Australian Rugby player agency are continuing to meet those standards, whilst also maintaining awareness of the expectations that RUPA and the game has of them.
“Accredited Agents are a stakeholder within the game who often fly beneath the radar. But their coal-face experience in local and international rugby player markets offers valuable insights for RUPA in continuing to work towards improving the frameworks of the game and the entitlements of all players,” Ross said.
RUPA’s Agent Accreditation Scheme is a compulsory process for any individual who wishes to represent, advise, counsel or assist players in individual contract negotiations with any NRC or Super Rugby Club in Australia.
An Agent Accreditation Board, which includes representation from the ARU, RUPA, Accredited Agents and the professional playing group, governs the Scheme, which is administered by RUPA as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
All agents accredited through the Scheme are sent regular updates and advice from RUPA in regards to professional player development, industry practices, the state of the game and its policies.
