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Ten current and former rugby union stars have started a charity to support elite players after they retire from the game.<\/b><\/p>\n
World Rugby and International Rugby Players are among the organisations supporting the Global Rugby Players Foundation.<\/p>\n
Its 10 founding members include former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, ex-All Blacks number 10 Dan Carter and current South Africa captain Siya Kolisi.<\/p>\n
Former Australia skipper George Gregan will chair the charity’s board of trustees.<\/p>\n
The body will give support to all elite players by offering career coaching, grants and health and wellbeing programmes.<\/p>\n
“What a lot of people don\u2019t realise is that a lot of players face many challenges when they step away from playing the game. Rugby has a responsibility to these players,” said CEO Sarah Heath.<\/p>\n
The charity will open with four pilot schemes next month in Ireland, South Africa, the Pacific Islands and New Zealand before starting its main support schemes in the autumn.<\/p>\n
“Over recent years, former players have highlighted the need for further supports as they finish their playing careers,\u201d said International Rugby Players chief executive Omar Hassanein. <\/p>\n
“Players can feel lost, and with that comes various challenges.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n