Evolve & Thrive Rugby Programme

A rugby career can end in an instant, and for many players, that’s when the real challenges begin. Around 70% of players don’t finish on their own terms, often due to injury or contracts not being renewed, and over half experience financial or mental health struggles within five years of retiring - which is why the Evolve & Thrive Rugby Programme was created.

Our nine-month learning and development programme, delivered in collaboration with Champions 2003, is designed to support professional rugby players as you prepare for life beyond the game. It will provide mentoring, group learning and community support to help you build clarity, confidence and purpose for your next chapter. After completing the programme, a bursary of up to £1,000 is available to support further personal and professional development.

Launched virtually on 11th March 2026, the programme still has a few fully-funded places available for former professional rugby players preparing to transition out of the sport, or those who have recently retired.

The programme will enable you to explore who you are, who you want to be post-rugby, and what you need to kick-start the next phase of your life. Identity, purpose, transition, wellbeing, networking, and much more will be explored with like-minded people, creating space to reflect while gaining practical learnings. After completing the programme, a bursary of up to £1,000 is available to support further personal and professional development.

The programme includes:

• Personalised 1-2-1 mentoring

• Group-based masterclasses

• Career pathway exploration

• Mental wellbeing support

• Access to our ‘Switched On’ Community Hub

• Evolve & Thrive Bursary worth up to £1,000

Mentoring is a central part of Switch the Play’s work, which is why it is an integral element of the Evolve & Thrive Rugby Programme. Over the past 10 years, we have worked with more than 350 athletes, welcoming new sportspeople each month, and have helped transform their personal and professional journeys in lasting, meaningful ways.

Mentoring is a collaborative and supportive relationship aimed at personal and professional growth. Unlike coaching, it often involves sharing experience and providing direction. By asking thoughtful questions and creating space for reflection, your assigned mentor will share their experiences and offer insights from their professional, personal and sporting journeys to support you as you navigate change and explore new possibilities.

Evolve & Thrive Rugby’s group-based sessions create an interactive, collaborative environment where you can learn, reflect, and grow alongside peers. Inspired by the reflective space of our 1-to-1 mentoring, these sessions have a unique energy driven by shared experiences and peer interaction.

In weekly sessions, you’ll explore topics such as:

• Self-awareness & reflection: Understanding your strengths, values, and areas for growth

• Effective communication: Expressing ideas clearly, listening actively, and engaging in constructive dialogue

• Collaboration & teamwork: Solving problems, sharing insights, and developing collective solutions

• Resilience & adaptability: Building strategies to overcome challenges and embrace change

• Decision-making & problem solving: Practising thoughtful approaches in a supportive environment

• Leadership & influence: Leading with empathy, confidence, and clarity

Through guided coaching questions, group discussions, interactive exercises, and peer feedback, you’ll be challenged to think critically, reflect deeply, and apply your learning in practical ways. Each session leaves you with actionable insights, fresh perspectives, and a stronger sense of connection with your peers and purpose.

Your journey begins with a more in-depth weekly virtual masterclass on key themes, helping to establish strong foundations for the rest of the programme, followed by group connection sessions spaced roughly every six weeks. This rhythm allows time to reflect, apply insights and bring learning into everyday life.

Group sessions explore themes such as:

• Identity and transition

• Belonging and connection

• Self-awareness

• Self-leadership

• Relationship management

• Mental health and wellbeing

Sessions are interactive and conversational, designed to encourage discussion, reflection and shared learning. Each concludes with takeaways and optional activities, sometimes to explore further with your mentor.

Your next steps beyond the Evolve & Thrive Programme

Completing the Evolve & Thrive Rugby Programme is just the beginning. Having gained all the tools, skills and insights from the programme, athletes can access the Evolve & Thrive Bursary, providing up to £1,000 to support the next stage of their journey, whether that’s advancing your career, earning new qualifications, or further developing your skills beyond sport.

What the Evolve & Thrive Bursary can support

The bursary is designed to support a wide range of opportunities to help you grow both personally and professionally, including:

• Further professional or vocational training – gain practical skills that prepare you for the next stage of your career
• Formal qualifications – pursue certifications or courses that enhance your expertise and open new doors
• Continued Professional Development (CPD) – build on your existing knowledge and develop new capabilities
• Networking and career development opportunities – connect with professionals and organisations that can help you achieve your long-term goals.

Commitment and eligibility

To make the most of the Evolve & Thrive Bursary and take your next steps beyond the programme, athletes must have successfully completed the Evolve & Thrive Rugby Programme and be actively engaged with Switch the Play support services as a ‘Switched On’ member.

In addition, bursary recipients are expected to:

• Provide evidence of enrolment and completion for their chosen development opportunity
• Share progress updates as required
• Contribute to feedback, evaluation or case studies
• Have clear goals showing how this next step supports their career or personal growth

Athletes must also maintain a minimum of 80% engagement across the programme, including through workshops, 1:1 sessions and agreed development activities.

How to apply for the bursary

Once your place on the Evolve & Thrive Programme is confirmed, fill in this application form. You can apply as soon as the programme starts, giving you the chance to plan your next steps early. The straightforward process asks you to outline your chosen opportunity, provide a cost breakdown, explain how it supports your long-term goals, and submit any supporting documentation such as course links or quotes.

All bursary requests must be approved in advance, ensuring the funding clearly supports your personal or professional development. In some cases, payments may be made directly to you once approval is confirmed and evidence of enrolment or completion is provided.

'Switched On' is Switch the Play’s flagship programme designed for current or retired athletes who would like support navigating changes during and after their professional sports careers. This all-round development and wellbeing service is designed to help athletes thrive both professionally and personally, whilst equipping them to navigate the inevitable transitions and challenges throughout their sports journey:

• Personalised discovery and support

• Coaching and mentoring sessions

• Access to a psychological care pathway

• Learning and development opportunities

• Career insight days and industry exposure

• The ‘Switched On’ digital hub with content, videos and podcasts

• Access to a peer athlete community