The fund will be administered and supported by Restart and financed by the RFU and Premiership Rugby. It will be available to support current players at Premiership Rugby clubs, as well as England senior men’s and women’s players, plus RFU contracted GB7’s players. The fund also seeks to support retired players. 

The fund will initially focus on:

• Providing medical treatment support for players who have retired in the past 12 months.

• Mental wellbeing support for current and retired players via the RPA Confidential Counselling Service.

• Providing a safety net for players and staff affected by any future insolvency events at their clubs.  

“The sport has an important role to play in supporting players who find themselves in challenging circumstances due to injury, mental health concerns or club insolvency,” said RFU CEO Bill Sweeney. 

“The RPA, Premiership Rugby and RFU, through the set-up of the Men’s Professional Game Partnership, acknowledged this and are pleased to have the fund operational for players to access as the need arises.”  

As part of the agreement, a Grant Review Panel will be established to oversee the governance, functions, applications and grants provided by the Elite Player Support Fund. The Panel will be chaired by Jeremy Beard, Chair of the Restart Board of Trustees, with representatives from the RPA, RFU and Premiership Rugby. 

Restart will continue its crucial function in applying its charitable funds to the needs of current and former players outside the remit of the Elite Player Support Fund, including PWR players.