The Rugby Players Association (RPA) is delighted to announce Richard Capstick of Exeter Chiefs as the worthy recipient of this season’s second RPA Vodafone Business Gain Line Award.

The RPA Vodafone Business Gain Line Award was created to support current and former players of the game in their off the field business ventures.

Alongside his brothers, Capstick purchased his first restaurant business by owning the franchise rights for Fireaway Pizza, in Bridgewater. The success of this establishment has led Richard to purchase the franchise rights to two additional stores in Exeter and Taunton. The backrow forward has also worked on his personal development through networking, which has allowed him to grow the brand of his business further. He has enriched his development by networking and by taking part in a number of guest speaking opportunities to groups around the region.

On winning the award, Capstick said: “Winning this award means a lot to me and the team at Fireaway Pizza. Growing this business alongside my rugby career is something I’ve loved to do over the last few years and to be rewarded for it is something I’m grateful for, so thank you to the RPA for this recognition.”

Capstick’s RPA Player Development Manager, Emily Lord, said: “Richard has struck me with how driven he is within the restaurant business space. Starting in 2021, he has gone on to grow three hugely successful franchises. He was really thrown himself into the industry, especially through COVID times, and is a deserved winner of the Award.”

Jo Wedlock, Brand Marketing and Communications Director, at Vodafone Business said: “I’d like to congratulate Richard Capstick on becoming the latest recipient of the RPA Vodafone Business Gain Line Award. It’s inspiring to hear about Richard’s entrepreneurial journey, especially with him balancing a full-time career in rugby and a successful business on the side. Richard’s dedication to growing Fireaway Pizza also underpins his determination to set himself up beyond his sporting career, and we’re looking forward to supporting him on his journey.”

For more information about the Gain Line programme, please visit the RPA website: https://www.therpa.co.uk.

-ENDS-

Ste Thomas – Communications Manager, RPA sthomas@therpa.co.uk

About The RPA

The Rugby Players Association is the representative body and collective voice of professional rugby players in England. We represent more than 600 male and female current rugby players, as well as more than 100 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 Team and performs the following duties on behalf of Team England: Negotiation of the Elite Players Squad Contract, England match fees, England team win bonuses and Image Rights payments with the RFU.

About Vodafone UK

Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were also the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester. As of June 2021, we have 5G in 364 locations across Europe – 124 in the UK and 240 across Germany, Spain, Italy and Ireland. Our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.

Today, Vodafone serves more than 18 million mobile and fixed-line customers in the UK. To help deliver Gigabit UK, our full-fibre broadband roll-out programme now covers 15 UK towns and cities through partnerships with CityFibre and Openreach.

Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do: as of 1 July 2021, 100% of the grid electricity we use in the UK is certified to be from renewable sources.

For more information about Vodafone UK please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk