Pacific Islanders and RPA announce new partnership to support UK-based players

The Rugby Players' Association has agreed a new deal to support Pacific Island players in the UK.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) means more work will be done to safeguard the welfare of UK-based Pacific Island players.

The Pacific Rugby Players (PRP) will appoint a UK-based player relationship manager to work with the RPA.

This role will be responsible for supporting players in welfare, education and personal development.

Some who moved from Samoa, Fiji and Tonga have fought alcohol addiction and depression, while others struggle to support extended families left behind.

The PRP, established in 2013, looks after the welfare of male and female national 7s and 15s players from Pacific Islands, playing abroad and at home.

PRP CEO and Tonga representative Hale T-Pole, praised the new agreement:

"While we recognise there is much still to be done, this agreement takes us another step closer to ensuring Pacific Island nations and players continue to thrive at home and abroad," he added.