AQUARACER CALIBRE 5
Cristiano Ronaldo is born to break all the records. His motivation is to win at every
occasion to challenge the human statistics. Like TAG Heuer, Ronaldo surpasses the
limits of his field and never cracks under pressure.
Firstly Josh, can yougiveus an ideaof your
role at theRPA andwhich clubs youwork
with?
I assist players at Gloucester Rugby and Exeter
Chiefs, helping to develop their careers away
from rugby. By supporting them and creating
opportunities I then help identifywhat it is they
want to dowhen they finish playing rugby. It can
be anything form job insights to qualifications
and beyond.
Whendid youofficially start at theRPA?
I joined the RPA in January 2009, so I have been
in the role for over six years. It’s been a fantastic
journey so far and one that I have thoroughly
enjoyed and cherished.
Howmuchhave youdeveloped since starting
the job?
Through the role you get to see somany different
industries, learnwhat’s involved andmeet some
really interesting people, not tomentionworking
with a really committed and determined group
of players. All these aspects help you grow
and develop.
What attracted you to the roleof a Player
DevelopmentManager?
I was very fortunate to play professional rugby
until an injury forcedme to retire at an early
age, so I understand the environment and the
players. I wanted to sharemy experiences of what
I went through and how looking beyond rugby is
massively important.
What has been your overall highlight of
working at theRPA?
The organisation andwhere it is now, the people
youmeet and the players I’ve supported in their
future choices. Everything that the organisation has
become, makes it a truly special environment to
work and learn in.
What has been the funniestmoment during
your time in the role?
I couldn’t highlight a particular one, but sometimes
you get the oddplayer that throws an unusual
request out there and you have to ask if he’s serious
or not. That ormy colleague BenMcGregor’s
dancing at our annual Awards Dinner!
What did youdobefore joining theRPA?
I played at Gloucester Rugby andMoseley Rugby
Club, before I suffered a crippling knee injury
which forcedme to retire at a young age. After
that I foundmyself in a couple sales roles before
joining as a Player DevelopmentManager.
What pieceof advicewould yougive to
a youngplayer in regard to their career
development after rugby?
Look at it, don’t see it as a negative or burden,
that daywill come. They are in a great positon to
experience some really interesting things, whether
they are unsure as towhat, somethingmight just
flick a switch. I have had somany players in the
pastwishing they haddone something earlier, don’t
let that be you! Engage in it, explore it and enjoy it.
Are there any areas inparticular that the
Player Development Programme are striving
to improveover thenext 12months?
As a programwe are always looking at what
we can do better to benefit the players and to
understand their needs.We look to enhance their
skills in various areas and toworkwith them to
understand that these skills are hugely respected
and sort after in the businessworld. It’s improving
howwe get thismessage across to the players
that wework on day in, day out.
Finally,which areaof yourworkdo you take
themost pride in?
There’s no better feeling than seeing the players
you’veworkwith fulfil their potential in all areas
of their career, now and in the future. I really take
great pride in developing players and creating
opportunities for them, so that they can have
a successful and enjoyable post rugby career.
Ultimately they have to take ownership andmake
themost of it, but if I can help along theway,
then I will.
ThePlayer Development
Programme is at the forefront
of supporting theneeds and
futures of RPAmembers.
We talk to Josh Frape, our
longest servingPDM, about
his experiences.
If youwould like any further information in regard to the Player Development Programme
(PDP) please contact theRPA’s RugbyDirector, RichardBryan, on
or 020 3053 6673.
Get to
knowan
RPA Player
Development
Manager
Your RPA
Josh
Frape
27
RPA
.co.uk
