Player & Personal Development

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

We believe that the better equipped a player is to manage the external factors such as family life, study and life planning, the better players they are on the pitch. We support players to develop so they are equipped to make good decisions when dealing with these external factors that may influence their professional rugby careers.

All players are encouraged to have a non-rugby development plan. Players have support from our Player Liaison to write a simple plan, that outlines what skills and competencies the player would like to develop. Each player is supported to identify ways that they can develop these skills and competencies throughout their pro rugby career. The following points are suggestions as to how a player can develop.

  • STUDYING

    Professional players are living the dream! Whilst their peer group are studying full time or embarking on their ‘office’ career, professional rugby players are playing the sport they love. Professional players can see their peers getting a head start in business or chosen career paths.

    It is possible for professional players to study whilst preforming at the top of the game. There are many examples of players who have completed a degree, a masters and even an MBA whilst being selected for their pro team or the national team. We have excellent relationships with Scottish universities and we actively encourage players to identify the best university and course for their interest and style of learning.

  • WORK EXPERIENCE & MENTORING

    Work experience and mentoring provides players with experiences to enable them to understand how their soft skills, such as communication and influencing, can transfer into a business context. In turn this gives confidence and understanding of how they can adapt into an environment that is different to professional rugby.

    Prior to studying, some players gain work experience to explore whether the subject choice is right for them. We encourage our players to use the Business Club network to identify opportunities and start conversations about different businesses and industries to gain some experience with those members.

    We also encourage players to participate in community engagements and give back through volunteering.

    We are currently developing a Mentoring programme. This will offer excellent external and impartial support for players as they progress through their professional rugby career. Players can request a business mentor who can support their decision making process on their non-rugby career development.

    These activities provide players with experiences to enable them to understand how their soft skills, such as communication and influencing, can transfer into a business context. In turn this gives confidence and understanding of how they can adapt into an environment that is different to professional rugby.

  • DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

    Throughout the season players are invited to workshops on a variety of topics. These range from insights into potential post-rugby careers, managing mental health to soft skills workshops. Players are challenged to apply their learning across their rugby and in other commitments at Business Club events or community engagements. For those players who are interested in learning a trade, there is the opportunity to attend a taster day at a local college.