Congratulations to our three nominees for the RPA Personal Development Programme Award 2018 in association with Clarke Willmott!   Heather Fisher: “I am extremely honoured to be acknowledged for the efforts I have put in off the field. Being able to keep my brain stimulated away from rugby helps me to switch off and enables me to lay down foundations for my future.”   Andy Hazell: “It’s fantastic to have been nominated for the Personal Development Programme Award, to have support & recognition even in retirement has been a massive help especially when setting up your own business.”   Chris Wyles: “Setting up a business whilst continuing to play rugby has been a tough but rewarding experience. Both Alistair Hargreaves and I have relied hugely on the support of others including the RPA and so to be nominated for this award is a special moment.”   The RPA Personal Development Programme Award in association with Clarke Willmott is given to an individual who has shown outstanding commitment to their off-field development, expanding their knowledge, experience and contacts with a view to their next career. Heather Fisher, 33 was part of the England Women Rugby 7s team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and was part of the 15s squad that won the 2014 World Cup. She has also competed for Team GB in bobsleigh. Heather has shown the same commitment, determination and tenacity off the field that she’s renowned for on it. As well as co-presenting a weekly drive time show on Marlow FM radio, she has developed an impressive presenting show reel and is in talks with broadcasters about a number of other opportunities. Away from the studio, she is studying a Masters in Strength & Conditioning through Gloucester University while simultaneously running a personal training business, seeing regular weekly clients on her days off from training. Andy Hazell notched more than 250 appearances for his hometown club Gloucester Rugby during a stellar career that also saw him capped seven times for England. Towards the latter stages of his career, Andy became committed to learning about e-commerce, setting up his businesses Smart Home Sounds and Inside Out Cinema. Having taken his rugby work ethic into business, Andy has established himself as a successful entrepreneur at the helm of thriving and well-regarded businesses. Chris Wyles has made more than 250 appearances for Saracens and represented the USA on 54 occasions, and has been nominated for his work co-founding Wolfpack Lager with former teammate and retired South African lock Alistair Hargreaves. Launched in 2014, Wolfpack Lager is now served in more than 60 pubs across the capital, has a permanent ‘bus bar’ at Allianz Park for Saracens home games, and recently saw the successful opening of the Wolfpack bar in north London. Chris has been acknowledged for being highly proactive in creating and growing the brand, working closely with the team at Saracens and with support from the RPA to manage his time effectively off the pitch and build a business from scratch.  To book your place at the RPA Players’ Awards 2018 in association with England Rugby on Wednesday 9th May at Battersea Evolution, London, please call 020 3053 6670 or email Martin Olima on molima@therpa.co.uk.