The Rugby Players Association (RPA) have today announced Setanta Institute as an Official Business Club Partner to become an Official Education Partner on a three-year deal.

Setanta Institute is an internationally renowned provider of higher education in human performance and sports science. Setanta operates campus locations in the UK, Ireland, Italy, USA, South Africa, and India led by a team of highly experienced academics and practitioners who have worked with some of the world’s most prestigious sporting organisations. 

With a team of lecturers such as Des Ryan (formerly Arsenal and Irish Rugby), Prof Ian Jeffreys (formerly Welsh Rugby and Cardiff City FC) and Dr Liam Hennessy (formerly Irish Rugby, Juventus, and Bayern Munich), students will have the opportunity to learn from experts across the broad fields within sports science and performance. 

Setanta is partnered with world-leading sports technology companies such as STATSports, and is an education partner to sporting bodies and organisations including World Rugby, Saracens, Houston Astros and India Cricket. Setanta graduates include both coaches and athletes operating at elite sporting levels, across professional football, rugby, athletics, baseball, and more. Education programmes are delivered through blended learning, with online lectures and practical face-to-face workshops at prestigious facilities including Twickenham Stadium in London.

The deal will allow RPA members to benefit from discounted tuition fees across the Strength and Conditioning undergraduate pathway and on the Setanta Masters programmes.

Ben Earl, Saracens and England back-row, who has studied on the S&C programme, said: “Studying at Setanta has not only been intellectually rewarding, it has also complemented my own training superbly. The staff and lecturers have been nothing but supportive and the whole experience has been really enjoyable.”

CEO of Setanta, Seán Hogan said: “We are hugely excited to enter this partnership with the Rugby Players Association. Across the world, there is a growing appreciation amongst elite athletes of the need to continue educational development throughout their sporting careers. The structure of Setanta programmes ensures that RPA members will have the opportunity to continue chasing success on the pitch, while also progressing academically.”

Gaia Bursell, RPA Head of Commercial and Team England commented: “We are delighted to announce our new long-term partnership with Setanta Institute, as this partnership allows players, staff and other key stakeholders of the RPA to pursue a flexible and quality education to help them grow and develop their career opportunities. This shared drive to always grow and learn makes this partnership with Setanta Institute so well aligned.”

For more information on Setanta Institute, and the range of programmes they offer, visit: https://www.setanta.co.uk/

ENDS-

About the Rugby Players Association (RPA) 

The Rugby Players Association is the representative body and collective voice of professional rugby players in England. We represent more than 800 male and female current rugby players, as well as more than 400 former players. It is our mission to support, promote and protect the interests of our members, from the moment they sign their first professional contracts, throughout their playing careers, and beyond as they embark on the next phase of their lives.

Our members enjoy a wide range of benefits, including: independent representation; legal advice; personal and professional development; playing insurance; education; confidential counselling; transition support; and much more. Members can also access the support of our official charity, Restart, in the event of serious illness, injury or hardship. 

The RPA has also acted as the exclusive commercial representative of the England Men’s and Women’s Teams and performs the following duties on behalf of Team England: Negotiation of the Elite Players Squad Contract, England and Saxons match fees, England team win bonuses and Image Rights payments with the RFU. 

For more information about the Rugby Players Association, please visit www.theRPA.co.uk