A new partnership aims to equip professional rugby players with skills and qualifications for life after their sporting careers.
Cardiff-based City Training Group kicked off the partnership with a tour and training session for representatives and players from the Welsh Rugby Players’ Association (WRPA).
City Training Group is a leading provider of vocational training and professional development courses in South Wales.
Players from three of Wales’s regional teams – Cardiff Rugby, Dragons, and Scarlets – attended the event and received a guided tour of the state-of-the-art facilities in Llanishen.
The tour, conducted by the training team at the centre, also included short training sessions in the gas, electrical and renewable energy departments to give the players a “hands-on” feel for what each of the courses entails.
Chris Dicomidis, Daf Evans and Khalid Jama of WRPA emphasised the significance of planning for a future beyond professional rugby.
Chris said:
“It’s crucial for players to think about their post-rugby careers while still playing. This partnership with City Training Group provides a fantastic opportunity for our members to gain valuable skills that will ease their transition into ‘normal’ life and secure meaningful employment.”
Khalid and Daf added:
“The WRPA is dedicated to supporting our players in all aspects of their lives. By partnering with City Training Group, we are ensuring that our players have access to top-quality training programmes that will open doors to new career paths.”
Kristian Dacey, an ex-Cardiff Rugby and British and Irish Lion player, and Jack Dixon, a former Dragons RFC player, shared their success stories with the attendees, as both have transitioned into careers as gas engineers through City Training Group’s programmes.
Kristian, now a qualified gas engineer with Heatforce, said:
“The training I received at City Training Group was instrumental in my career transition. I am proud to work in a field that is both challenging and rewarding.”
Jack, who is currently training under Kristian as an apprentice at Heatforce, said:
“This opportunity has given me a new sense of purpose and direction after my rugby career. I’m grateful for the support and training I’ve received.”
Mark Williams, Head of Training at City Training Group, said:
“We are incredibly proud to partner with WRPA and support professional rugby players in Wales. Our programmes are designed to provide practical, hands-on training that leads to real employment opportunities. Seeing players like Kristian and Jack succeed in their new careers is a testament to the effectiveness of our training programmes.”
