There are a number of benefits included in professional rugby contracts in New Zealand. Some of the common benefits shared across the Collective Agreement and national teams Memorandum of Understandings include:
Insurance
As a professional player in New Zealand you recieve Health (Medical), Trauma and Life insurance as part of your contract. One of the main benefits of this medical insurance is it includes pre-existing conditions which is not very common.
If you want to learn more details about the insurances click here.
If you are going overseas, find out what you need to do to keep your insurance or put it on hold. Click here for a checklist of things you should consider.
If you need further help or have any questions about insurance, please ring Gema or Fiona.
Gema Hill – InsureYou
Email: gema@insureyou.co.nz
Mobile ph 021 824 815
Fiona Brading – NZRPA
Email: fiona.brading@nzrpa.co.nz
Mobile ph: 021 236 8381
Player Investment Scheme
As a full-time professional contracted player you are able to join the player investment scheme.
This scheme is different to Kiwisaver but is valuable given players can make regular contributions to a maximum of $5,000 each year. If players have been on a New Zealand Rugby contract for less than five years, they will recieve 2.5 times their regular contribution amount with a maximum of $12,500 per calendar year.
If players have held a professional contract for more than five years, they will recieve 3 times the amount of their regular contributions up to the maximum amount of $15,000 per calendar year.
To learn more about the player investment scheme, click here.
Disclaimer: The NZRPA ecourages you to do your own independant due diligence when using any product or services, including those related to financial products and services such as financial advisors and lawyers.
Personal Development
Players have dedicated time throughout their week to work on personal development as part of their professional contracts. They get access to a Personal Development Manager (PDM) who is able to support them with an individualised plan and connect them with people who are able to assist in achieving their life goals alongside rugby. Click here for PDM details.
Free access to counselling and specialists
Players are able to access a number of free sessions with counsellors, psychologists and specialists through Instep, the Employee Assistance Programme. To learn more about this, click here. PDMs are also able to support you in connecting with Instep.
Support through policies
Players have a number of policies that support them through different situations. For example, there is a parental policy, travel policy, return to play protocols to name a few.
Support when retired and moving overseas to play rugby
Professional players will still have access to support from NZRPA after they retire or when they move overseas to play rugby. To learn more, click here.
For specific benefits, please refer to the Collective Agreement or relevant Memorandum of Understanding.
