WRU give young professionals key advice

www.wru.co.uk/playeradvice carries advice for players with and presents the factors to consider before seeking an agent to represent them. The information is designed to help players and their families make the right decisions before negotiating and signing up to contracts.

Workshops are also organised by the WRU to discuss how to get properly represented and what professional advice can deliver, along with the cost.

Roger Lewis, Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, said: “We carry out fantastic work to help players reach their full potential on the field of play and we recognise our responsibility to care for them away from the game as well. Some players can benefit from the help and advice of a good agent but there are lots of pitfalls to beware of too.

“What is right for one player may be wrong for another. The welfare of the player is important and it is also vital they take to the field of play free from any worries about contracts, legal matters or commercial issues.”

The WRU Performance Lifestyle service gives advice to players on any outside factors that can affect performance on the field.

Alun Davies, WRU Performance Lifestyle Manager, said: “Any player taking on an agent should be certain they need one and fully informed about what the agent can do for them.

“A player may feel he needs the support of an agent but they must have all the relevant information available before they make the decision to engage one. There are a lot of ways of getting advice on legal and financial matters without necessarily signing with an agent.”

Research carried out by the WRU warns that some players have signed with agents without realising what they do. The WRU identified one case study of a player who paid a lawyer £150 to arrange a contract while another player earning the same salary paid an agent £3,000 to get the same financial deal.

In other cases, the Union says some young players have been known to sign with an agent without consulting with their parents.

Alun Davies added: “The initial guidance document on the website explains in simple terms what role an agent can play and what they can achieve and manage for the players. It also points players in the right direction if they are seeking advice on various matters that may affect them.”