Switch the Play and Champions 2003 Foundation launch new Player Support Fund to help former rugby players thrive beyond the game
Posted on: 16 July 2026 by Switch the Play
New grants of up to £10,000 will help to remove financial barriers to training, education and professional qualifications, supporting rugby players preparing for successful careers beyond sport.
Switch the Play Foundation has launched a new grant programme in partnership with Champions 2003 Foundation to enable male and female rugby players to access career development opportunities through accredited education and training, that will help them to progress towards their careers beyond professional rugby.
Delivered by Switch the Play, this new grant programme has been designed to provide a comprehensive package of support for former players, recognising that every player's transition out of sport is unique with grants of up to £10,000 available to support their next chapter.
Professional rugby players typically experience a short but intense career, with the average playing career in England ending before the age of 34. Many players retire with limited formal qualifications and restricted financial resources to fund further study, and are often without a clear direction on what to study or where to access support.
Research highlights the significant challenges faced by rugby players during and after the transition out of elite sport. It has been found that 62% of retired professional rugby players experience mental health challenges following the end of their playing careers. These challenges are often driven by the loss of a long-standing social support network, built over 20 years or more for some players, financial uncertainty following the loss of regular income, and a reduced sense of identity and purpose.
More broadly, research shows that retiring from elite sport can present major personal and professional difficulties. Around 89% of athletes need to work after sport to maintain financial security, whilst 70% leave their sporting careers unexpectedly due to injury, deselection or contract non-renewal. Without the right support, retirement can lead to uncertainty around employment, identity, wellbeing and finances, with 54% reporting mental health concerns after retirement and 52% experiencing financial difficulties within five years of leaving elite sport.
Despite growing awareness of these challenges, many players are still unable to access the retraining and education opportunities they need, with rising course fees and the increased cost of living creating additional barriers. This grant programme aims to help remove those financial barriers, making it easier for players to access education and training opportunities and creating a clearer pathway towards successful second careers.
The programme has been designed to be as accessible as possible, whilst ensuring every individual receives the support that best meets their needs. As part of the process, all applicants will receive membership to Switch the Play's core transition-support programme, Switched On, along with a one-to-one discovery call with a member of the charity’s Athlete Services team to explore the full range of support available to them. Following this, individuals will be invited to submit a funding application to aid in their retirement from sport, helping them access the education, training, or career development opportunities that best support their next steps.
Rob Young MBE, CEO of Switch the Play Foundation, said:
"Elite athletes develop exceptional qualities throughout their sporting careers - resilience, leadership, discipline, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure. Our role is to help them recognise how valuable those attributes are beyond sport and to provide the practical support that enables them to move confidently into meaningful second careers. We're proud to work alongside the Champions 2003 Foundation to make that support more accessible to rugby players."
Applications are now open. For more information, eligibility criteria and application guidance, please visit our Champions 2003 partnership webpage or contact Lisa McCann, Grants Manager at Switch the Play via grants@switchtheplay.com.