RPAPlayersRoom Summer2015 - page 33

Firstly canyou explain your roleat theRPA andwhich clubs you
workwith?
I’m the Player DevelopmentManager for England Sevens, Saracens and
Alumni members based in the South.My role is to support playerswith
their plans for life after rugby, workingwith them to establishwhat they
want todo after rugby and prepare them for their transition. The Player
Development Programme is delivered through a range of personal and
professional development seminars, individual development plans, setting
upwork experience and insight days, introductions to industry contacts
and support with educational courses. I am also just starting the role of
Alumni PDM South, workingwith playerswho have retired from the game
andproviding ongoing transition, career andwelfare support.
Whendid youofficially start at theRPA andwheredid youwork
previously?
I started at the RPA back in 2007. I had just graduated fromNottingham
University and began as the RPA’s Team England andWelfareAssistant.
I thenwent onto Player ServicesManager before becoming a Player
DevelopmentManager in 2012.
Howmuchhaveyoudeveloped since starting the role?
I have learnt a huge amount andhad some amazing opportunities since
starting at the RPA. I’veworkedwith a number of players in different
situations over the last eight years, whichhas helpedme understand the
challenges that can be faced by professional players and the importance
of having support.
Canyouexplainwhat attracted you to the roleof anRPAPlayer
DevelopmentManager?
As a Player DevelopmentManager youwork one to onewith people
every day, you’re there to support and helpplayers develop, aswell as
build relationships outside of the gamewhich thenbenefits the Player
Development Programme. These elements of the role hugely appealed
tome, I knew it wouldbe challenging but enjoyable and it’s been a
fantastic three years in the role.
What has been the funniestmoment during your time at theRPA?
There’s been quite a fewbut the RPAAwards Dinner is inevitably one of
the best nights of the seasonwith some greatmoments over the years.
It’s become apparent though that I should avoid the photo booth after
midnight and put down the Viking hat and oversized sunglasses.
Finallywhich areaof yourworkdo you take themost pride in?
I take huge pride in thework I do and the support we offer players.
As anorganisationwewant to deliver the best opportunities for
players and allow them to engage in a programme that they consider
tobe outstanding.
FirstlyAlex, can yougiveus an ideaof your background and
where youhave come from?
I am a very keen sportswoman, having played hockey forWales
and also competed at international cross country level. I graduated
fromUniversity of Sussex in2009with a BSc inMolecularMedicine
and from there I fell into the third sector, working in the community
fundraising team at ActionMedical Research. I thenmoved to the
Brain and Spine Foundation, before taking up a role at theDame
Kelly Holmes Trust as the FundraisingOfficer for two and a half years.
My nextmove foundmyself workingwithin the events team at a
large scale charity, Sue Ryder, and after a relatively short stint there
I jumped at the opportunity to take on a new and challenging role
as the FundraisingManager for Restart Rugby.
What drew you to this role at theRPA?
The cause of the charity is something I’m very passionate about and
having previouslyworkedwithOlympic, Paralympic andworld class
athletes at theDame Kelly Holmes Trust, I knew this rolewould be
a perfect fit forme. The potential for the charity is huge, with the
assets that sit within the RPA and the profile of the players, Restart
Rugby can continue to play an incredibly important role and ensure
player welfare is a top priority.
What are yourmaingoals for Restart Rugby?
I want to increase the profile of the charity and develop a
multi-channelled fundraising strategy through corporate,
community, individual, trusts, grants and foundations. This all leads
intomy long term goal which is to increase brand awareness and
to ensure that through an established fundraising strategy, Restart
Rugbywill continue to support seriously ill and injured players in
times of need.
Wherewould you like to see the charity in a year’s time?
In a years’ time, I hope to see Restart Rugbywith a host of corporate
partners, a full events portfolio of its own andmore andmore RPA
Members engaged and involvedwith the charity. If all this is achieved,
there’s no reasonwhy Restart Rugbywon’t be known around the
rugbyworld as the number one charity for rugby players in England.
CarolineGuthrie
Player Development
Manager for
England Sevens,
Saracens and
Alumni South
Alex Lines-Scrase
FundraisingManager
for Restart Rugby
You canfindmore informationon all theRPA staffmembers by
visitingourwebsite therpa.co.uk/who-we-are/the-rpa-team
GettoknowThe
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