About Us

Australia

Ben played for ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby and in 72 tests for Australia at tighthead or loosehead prop between 2008 and 2014. One of the most decorated props in Australia history he played his first international before he had played his first game in Super Rugby although he went on to break George Smith's long-standing record of 144 appearances for the franchise. He represented Australia at RWC 2011 and played all three tests against the British and Irish Lions in 2013. Ben retired in 2018 and earlier this year launched Alfred, a simple food and energy tracker after battling with his weight. He is now the player's representative on the Brumbies Board of Directors,and co-owner of the pub 'The Dock' with former teammate Scott Fardy.

Former professional rugby player played for Bristol and Saracens, who went on to win 51 caps for England. He won silverware with Saracens, starring in a team that included Francois Pienaar, Philippe Sella and Michael Lynagh and was called up to the 1997 British Lions Tour in South Africa. He made his final England appearance off the bench in the 2003 RWC semi-final win against France. A successful businessman and supporter of charities Kyran has aired in public his concerns around his long term brain health and current player welfare and concussion protocol. He has three sons who all play rugby.

A hugely committed backrower, Shane played for Nelson and Tasman Mako before in 2013, aged 28, he was awarded a contract with the hugely successful Crusaders franchise where he competed for a shirt with the likes of Richie McCaw and Kieran Read. With limited opportunities, the following season Shane joined the Highlanders, where he immediately flourished and was part of the squad which lifted the Super Rugby title in 2015. The following season Shane was named co-captain alongside All Black Ben Smith. Shane has also represented the All Black Sevens and the Māori All Blacks. In 2018 Shane was forced to retire, aged 32, because of multiple concussions and campaigns passionately for player welfare in memory of his close friend and fellow professional Billy Guyton who was found to have CTE after tragically taking his own life in May 2023 aged 33.

An abrasive second row, Ian Gough played for Pontypridd, Newport, NG Dragons, Ospreys and London Irish and made his debut for Wales against South Africa in 1998. Over the next 11 years he would go on to play 64 times for his country, including as a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad. On the occasion of his 50th cap, Gough led Wales out for what was to be the game they clinched the 2008 Grand Slam, as Wales went on to beat France 29-12 in Cardiff. He announced his retirement from playing in May 2015.

Billy, who retired due to concussion in 2018, tragically took his own life aged just 33 in May 2023, after suffering with ongoing issues that affected his mental health He became a posthumous member of Progressive Rugby in May 2024 with the blessing of his dad John and mum Stacey. Billy, who played for the Hurricanes, Crusaders and Blues and Māori All Black as a scrum half had suffered with numerous symptoms, and had been particularly crippled with anxiety, depression, mental confusion, light aversion and serious memory lapses. Following his death he was found Stage 2 Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), making Billy the first New Zealand professional rugby player to be diagnosed with the degenerative brain disease neuroscientists believe is linked to repetitive brain injury and contact sports.

Carl Hayman is a former New Zealand international who won 45 caps for the All Blacks at tighthead prop, playing against the British Lions in 2005 and in RWC 2007. Widely considered as one of the greatest tightheads of all time, he was known for his incredible strength, known for being able to box squat a staggering 250kg. After playing for Otago and Highlanders, he moved to the Newcastle Falcons in the UK before playing more than 150 games for Toulon, with whom he won the Heineken European Cup three times. He retired aged 35 in 2015, and aged 41 he was diagnosed with early onset dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after being tested due to relentless headaches that had led to alcohol abuse, erratic behaviour and suicidal thoughts.

A one-club man, Andy Hazell played over 250 times as a flanker for Gloucester between 1997 and 2014 and seven times for England before retiring due to persistent concussion symptoms. With Gloucester he won the Powergen Cup in 2003 and was a key figure in the side that finished 15 points ahead in the 2002/03 Zurich Premiership before losing to Wasps in the final. In 2006 he scored a try in the European Challenge Cup final triumph against London Irish at The Stoop. Having represented England U21s and England A, Hazell made his senior debut in November 2004 against Canada at Twickenham and came on against South Africa the following weekend.

Rory won 29 caps for Scotland at wing and full back and played his club rugby for Glasgow Warriors, Sale Sharks and RC Toulon. During his career he was knocked out on 10 occasions and received dozens of further concussions where he didn't lose consciousness. Rory has since stated he would have likely retired in 2008 had he known and understood the risks he was taking with his future health and wellbeing. As it was, his retirement came after he was unable to recover from a broken leg he sustained against France in the 2012 Six Nations Championship. After his retirement he suffered severe depression and anxiety and is now focussed on helping others dealing with symptoms brought on by brain injury.

Born in London but brought up Down Under, Michael played for Australia U21s before securing a contract in England with Bristol in 2001. With the West Country side relegated in the 2002/03 season, the openside flanker signed for local rivals Bath where he became a fan favourite, making more than 100 appearances for the club and scoring 11 tries. Despite injuries curtailing his appearances Michael was capped by England in 2004 against New Zealand. He went on to win 10 caps including 4 caps in the 2008 Six Nations. His last season of rugby saw him back in Australia with the Melbourne Rebels, before retiring in 2012. He has recently written a book with his wife Frankie detailing their battle with his diagnosis of early onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy attributed the number of head injuries he suffered during his playing career.

A talented flanker, Low went straight into professional rugby from school having already been identified by London Irish. Aged just 22, he made his debut for Scotland from the bench in November 2013 against Australia - a game he remembers little of after being concussed in his first carry but completed the match. During his career he also played for Glasgow Warriors and Saracens and added a further four caps before retiring in 2016 aged just 25 because of post concussion syndrome.

Part of the 2005 England 7s squad, Ben played rugby union across the amateur and professional era at Southland (NZ), Caerphilly, London Scottish, Saracens, Henley Hawks, and the Leopards in South Africa. In addition to playing, Ben is an RFU level 3 coach, studied Strength and Conditioning at the ASCA and worked as a coaching consultant to the WRU and in Super Rugby with the Melbourne Rebels and the Bulls. One of the founding directors of the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare (PRPW), Ben is an active member of Head for Change and was part of the team that swam across the Channel to raise funds and awareness of the organisation's work.

Three-time capped Canadian Cameron Pierce is a board member of Provale (the French version of the RPA) alongside familiar names including Louis Picamoles and Guilhem Guirado. Having played Top 14 rugby with Pau, Cameron received a brain injury which resulted in memory problems, chronic migraines, insomnia and mood swings. He never played again. Cameron is one of the members of a lawsuit against the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and the National Rugby League (LNR) accusing the bodies of breaching safety and information obligations on concussion.

Dan is a former professional wing and full back who played over 15 years for Wakefield, Leeds, Saracens, Racing Metro and England at both 15 and 7s. A prolific try-scorer Dan was blighted by injuries after his first 15s cap as part of the 2003 World Cup squad against Wales in 2003. He flew out to South Africa four years later to join the pre-World Cup squad in 2007, no doubt helped by leading the try scoring for the 2005/06 season while at Saracens. He spent three seasons with French side Racing Métro, before playing and coaching at Lille Metropole Rugby Club in 2012. Dan is now a teacher and Head of Rugby at Bradford Grammar School. He was diagnosed with early onset dementia in December 2020.

Former lock/backrower Kiebie Smith is the first South African rugby player to go public with his diagnosis of early onset dementia and probable CTE. Growing up with a rugby ball in his pram, he was a ballboy at Loftus Versfield and started playing aged six. He played for the Blue Bulls U17 Youth, U18 Schools and U19 and U21 sides alongside future Springboks. After stopping playing at 25 due to neck trauma, Smith has suffered two strokes, suicidal thoughts, mood swings, anxiety, crippling migraines, blackouts and balance issues.

Heather played as a second row for Wasps and England from 1989-1995. She also played for Great Britain until it was disbanded for the World Cup. She played for England at two World Cups: 1991 (Silver medallist), and in 1994 where England lifted the trophy after defeating defending champions, the USA 38-23 at Edinburgh Academicals RFC. She was manager of the England Team from 1996-2004 and presently teaches maths and coaching in Vancouver, Canada.

Steve Thompson played 73 times for England at hooker, and in 2003 won both the Grand Slam and most memorably the Rugby World Cup beating Australia in Sydney 20-17 with the now infamous extra time drop goal from Jonny Wilkinson. Steve, who played his club rugby for Northampton, Saints (with whom he won the Heineken Cup in 2000), Leeds, Wasps and Brive, and also won three British Lions caps during the 2005 tour to New Zealand. In December 2020, aged just 42, Steve revealed that he had been diagnosed with early onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). He is part of the action against World Rugby and the RFU, and in September 2021 Thompson decided to donate his brain for CTE research.

Stevie Ward played for Leeds Rhinos, becoming a three-time Super League champion and two-time Challenge Cup winner by 26 and was firmly on England's radar. But on 2nd February 2020 he played his last game after suffering his second concussion in two weeks. While desperate to return to his boyhood club he suffered with migraines, dizziness, nausea, and sensitivity to light and noise. He retired from the game he loved in January 2021 and is now an outspoken and passionate advocate for player welfare.

Born and bred in Wales, Woodard was a prolific winger who went on to play both rugby union and rugby league for his country. Academically-gifted, Woodard studied at Cardiff Metropolitan University where he was selected for Wales U21 (union), Wales Students (league) and Great Britain students (league). In 1998 he toured Zimbabwe and South Africa with the senior Wales team and was capped for the senior Wales RL team. During his club career he played for Pontypridd RFC, Newbridge RFC, London Welsh, Pertemps Bees, Ebbw Vale RFC, Pontypool RFC, Hull Sharks and Celtic Crusaders. Woodard is the highest try scorer in Welsh league history with 186 tries. A father of five, he was diagnosed aged 45 with early onset dementia in 2021.

PhD, MCSP, HCPC

Dr Attwood is an Assistant Professor in Sports and Exercise Medicine at the Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Sports Medicine within the School of Medicine. He has a long-standing interest in rugby union as a former player, coach and physiotherapist. His research specialises in sports injury surveillance, injury risk factor identification and injury prevention. A specialist in strength and conditioning and Physiotherapy, Dr Attwood developed the Activate warm-up programme for adult rugby players which has been adopted by World Rugby and rolled out globally. His current research focuses on sports related concussion and preventative strategies.

Sports doctor and orthopaedic surgeon with a particular interest in adolescent sports injuries. As Medical Director of Return2Play since 2016, Sam has unrivalled experience of the difficulties faced by grassroots sports organisations in following concussion protocols as well as the measures that can be put in place to successfully improve care. Sam is a passionate believer in the health and social benefits of sport and that by properly managing risk those benefits can continue to be enjoyed.

MBE

Peter was awarded an MBE for services to education and sport in 2022. He is a dental surgeon, honorary dental surgeon to Northampton Saints from 1987-2012 and witnessed a huge increase in dental trauma after the game turned professional. A rugby coach at school, colts and community level and organiser of mini-rugby sections. Peter is the Chair of Governors at Northampton School for Boys – one of the most successful state rugby schools in England.

BA (Cantab), MB BS, FRCS, FRCS (Orth)

Consultant spinal and rehabilitation specialist practicing in Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. Spine editor for the Bone and Joint Journal. 30 years pitch-side and clinical involvement with elite rugby, including treating players from Saracens, Northampton Saints, Bedford Blues and Worcester. Expertise in spinal injuries, head injuries and bone stress injuries sustained by sportsmen and women and currently active in research into bone health in sportsmen and women.

MB BS FRCS

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Royal Free Hospital in London. Nick has a passion for rugby having played for many years, then transitioning to referee with Eastern Counties, London Society and the FFR whilst working in Paris. He has 35 years of involvement in sports medicine having looked after Surrey Cricket, London Irish, and for the past 20 years Rosslyn Park rugby, where he is currently president.

New Zealand

Doug is a clinical nurse specialist and concussion expert based in New Zealand. Doug has spent over 20 years researching sports-related concussion and head impact biomechanics and he was recognised in the top 0.5 percent of experts worldwide on brain concussion in 2021. His research informs practices and guidelines across New Zealand and internationally. Doug believes concussion and traumatic brain injury is a silent epidemic and there is need for a change in guidelines, both in sport, and in the wider management and monitoring of concussion.

FRCS

Richard Nelson was appointed as a Consultant Neurosurgeon in Bristol in 1990. He has been involved in the practical, clinical management of traumatic brain injury for over 30 years. He led the establishment the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit at the Frenchay Hospital, Bristol. His specialist interests include the management of spinal disorders in elite athletes. He has provided a minimally invasive spinal surgery service to National, Premiership and Championship rugby football clubs for the last 25 years. He has served as President of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons, President of the Joint Neurosciences Council, Chair of the National Neurosurgical Audit Programme and Chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee in Neurosurgery.

Graduated from Manchester University Medical School. His career has been in Sports Medicine, Primary Care and Occupational Medicine. A former Ireland rugby international and captain of Lancashire in the English Championship and Connacht in the Irish Championship. His long-time interest has been concussion and doping in sport and he is a Fellow of the Faculty of Sport & Exercise Medicine. Barry was Chairman of IRFU Medical Committee and sat on the World Rugby Medical & Concussion Committees for 12 years representing them at the Zurich and Prague World Congresses on Concussion in Sport. In 2012 he resigned from World Rugby and IRFU on account of their policy of a 5-minute assessment of the rugby player with suspected concussion.

FRCS

U.K. based Consultant Spinal Surgeon currently managing patients with a range of spinal problems. Part of this is work involves elite athletes with spinal problems secondary to their sport. Neil is a former elite level judo competitor with a long history of involvement in judo, rugby and rowing and remains active in competitive sport. Through his involvement with the United Kingdom Specialist Spine Board, he has been actively involved in development of protocols and delivery of spinal treatment across all facets of spinal management in the UK.

Brazil

Hermano is a sport physical therapist from the National Society of Sports Physiotherapy and Physical Activity (SONAFE) and has a PhD from the University of Sao Paulo. He has worked in concussion clinical care and rehabilitation since 2014 and has clinical experience with concussion rehabilitation in rugby, American football, handball and fighters. In Brazil, Hermano is the CEO of an educational initiative called Concussion Care Brazil.

BSc, PhD, RNutr - Ireland

Lisa is Head of Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition at the Atlantic Technological University (formerly the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)), Ireland. She is currently leading a European Project focused on Females Concussion Education and Awareness in Sport. Lisa holds a first-class honours degree in Nutritional Science and completed her PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry at University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. She has worked as a lecturer at Bournemouth University, Oxford Brookes University and Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Recent research projects have included a focus on understanding concussion across a range of sports.

Ireland

Ed is a lecturer at the Atlantic Technological University (formerly the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)) in Sport & Exercise Science and a founder member of the Irish Concussion Research Centre. He has extensive experience in professional sport with more than 10 years as a professional coach in Munster Rugby / IRFU. During his career he has collaborated with academic, medical and sports organisations in Ireland, Australia, USA, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Denmark, UK and China developing welfare strategies for athletes to reduce concussion injury risk.

Victoria is an academic, researcher, and lecturer in Criminology at Swansea University and has spent 16 years researching violence in contact sports. Her recent work has focused on harms associated with contact sport such as the commodification and consumerism of sport in late capitalist society; as well as the prevalence of prescription drug use, depression, suicide, and brain injury. She is co-founder of SCORSS, The Swansea Centre of Research into Sport and Society, and has conducted interviews with local, national & international media on the topic of violence and concussion in sports.

Phil is a UK-based academic, researcher and former clinician specialising in osteopathy, rehabilitation and healthcare education. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in Research and Evaluation at the Health Sciences University, having previously held research leadership roles at the European School of Osteopathy and the BCNO Group. His clinical career included delivering care at the London Olympics and the London Marathon, before he transitioned fully into academia in 2019. His PhD, completed at the University of Kent, focused on the use of technology in rehabilitation and knee pain — research with clear relevance to the challenges facing rugby players at all levels. His broader work spans manual therapy safety, patient health literacy, shared decision-making, and the application of AI and digital tools in clinical and educational settings. A rugby player and lifelong fan of the game, Phil brings both a deep understanding of musculoskeletal health and a genuine passion for the sport to his involvement with Progressive Rugby. He is committed to ensuring the evidence base around player welfare is robust, accessible and translated into real-world practice.

Sam is a former Mail on Sunday rugby correspondent and sports writer at Sunday Times, who has built an unparalleled reputation for balance and insight when it comes to discussing and reporting on the issue of concussion in sport. In 2013, Sam spearheaded the Mail on Sunday's concussion campaign, raising awareness in sport, while challenging the games' authorities to do more to protect players in the short and long term. The campaign has been described as 'the most influential sports campaign in newspaper history'. In 2015 he was named as one of Rugby World's five most influential media figures and is credited with changing the culture around head injuries in rugby. In August 2023, Sam published "Concussed; Sport's Uncomfortable Truth". Later that year, Sam founded Concussed Media, aimed at promoting awareness and educating the sporting community around the risks of playing on with concussion. His unrelenting desire is that player welfare be the game he love's number one focus is inspiring for us all.

Hana is a documentary maker, podcast executive and author based in London. She is also the Creative Director of Broccoli Productions. Hana is a fearless and passionate advocate for speaking truth to power through her work. Her storytelling strikes a balance between investigative and intimate, taking the big world stuff and making it human. Hana has been researching and investigating CTE and concussion for six years. In 2019 she released the multi-award-winning documentary 'The Beautiful Brain' for Audible which told the story West Bromwich Albion hero Jeff Astle and CTE. Her first book 'A Delicate Game' continues the story bringing in Players from World Rugby, The NFL, AFL and UK Football.

BEd, MEd, MA

WRU Referee Performance Manager. Prior to taking up the position 4 years ago, Paul spent 3 years as the Referee Community Manager. In his former role as Head of School of Sport and Land-based Studies at Bridgend College, he was responsible for the development of the Rugby Academy. In addition to refereeing commitments, Paul coached Gwent Schools U19 and Welsh Colleges.

Joined Bassaleg school in 1983 as a Physical Education teacher, where Marc became Head of PE in 1993. Coached many successful national winning teams and future senior internationals during this time. Awarded the Guardian Teaching Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School in Wales 2006. Currently Assistant Headteacher responsible for Wellbeing and Emotional/Mental Health. Played for UWIC, Cardiff University (1979 – 1983), Newport RFC (1983-1989), and Wales B (1983-84).

Director of Rugby at Northampton School for Boys, with 20 years coaching experience of age grade rugby. PE Secondary Teacher for 13 years. Oversee 200 students weekly playing rugby for the school in a top-flight schools fixture card. RFU Coach Developer and coached representative rugby for U14-16 Northamptonshire Saints and East Midlands. Work in partnership with the Northampton Saints U18 Junior Academy.

Sole director and coaching consultant of Teaching Learning Coaching Ltd, and provides coaching, mentoring, personal development, support and challenge to leaders in sport, business and education. A former player at London Welsh RFC, he was the first full-time professional Wales National Coach from 1995 to 1998. He has also been a PE teacher in both state and independent schools and a Senior Lecturer at Cardiff Metropolitan University. He spent nearly 15 years at the RFU as Head of Elite Coach Development and has over 40 years of experience as a teacher, coach and coach developer in rugby union.

Senior Lecturer in Sport, Physical Education & Health in Cardiff Metropolitan University. Head Coach of Cardiff Metropolitan RFC in the WRU National Championship and the BUCS Super Rugby National League. Level 4 coach. Previously Director of Rugby and Head Coach at Bedwas RFC for 17 years in the Welsh Premiership. Has coached Wales U18's National Age Grade. Ian spent 21 years as a Physical Education teacher and Head of Department at St Cenydd Comprehensive school in Caerphilly.

MA Cantab

Headmaster at Sedbergh School. Teacher since 1993 at Sedbergh. Director of Rugby at Sedbergh from 2000-2011 (4 unbeaten seasons and winners of Rosslyn Park National Sevens in 2008). During that period coached many players who went into the professional game. Previously at Cambridge University and played over 100 times for Wharfedale in the National leagues and got 3 caps for Yorkshire at scrum half.

Former player for Aberavon RFC, Maesteg RFC, Rugby Lions FC, University of New South Wales and Loughborough University as a sports science student in the early 90s. After suffering a career ending injury playing South Africa in 1994 turned to coaching. Coached rugby at the Elite Level for 20 years. Previously 9 years at Ospreys Rugby since their inception in 2003, finishing as Head Coach in 2012 winning 5 major trophies. Part of the Wales National Team coaching team in 2009. From 2013-16 Bristol Rugby Head Coach. A BBC Wales and Premier Sports Rugby Expert working in TV & radio providing analysis, commentary & punditry.

BEd, BSc

PE teacher since 1970. Assistant headteacher until 2010. Currently Estates Director and Director of Rugby at Whitchurch High School, Cardiff. Coached rugby teams at 11-18 years since that 1970. 17 years as a club coach with Cross Keys RFC, Glamorgan Wands RFC, Cardiff Met RFC, and Cardiff RFC [Welsh cup winners and semi-finalist of European Cup]. Ten years working with the WRU as National Coach to the u-21 and assistant coach with the National squad.

Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur

Gilbert is a French sports executive with over four decades of leadership across some of the world's most high-profile sporting organisations. He served as Chief Executive of the French Tennis Federation and Tournament Director of Roland-Garros, overseeing a $250 million operation and sitting on the Grand Slam Board. Prior to that, he led ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation) — the body behind the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix, the Dakar Rally and the Paris Marathon — as Directeur Général for eight years. His connection to rugby runs deep: between 2004 and 2008, Gilbert served as President of RC Narbonne, one of France's professional clubs. Since 2016, he has run Ysern & Associés, a sports consultancy advising federations, leagues, clubs, public authorities and private investors worldwide. He is also President of France Outdoor Sports Events, a national body representing mass outdoor event organisers. Gilbert was appointed Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur by the French Prime Minister in 2015.

Argentina

Eduardo is a former rugby player, coach and administrator who now works as a sports journalist and historian following a career in banking. Based in Bueno Aires, he coached at youth and senior levels, and was Argentina U19 coach (89/90) and assistant coach to the U21 national side in 1980. As well as writing rugby columns and stints on both radio and television, Eduardo commentated in Spanish for CNN at the 2015 RWC and has written several sports books on Argentinian and English football, Argentinian polo, specifically the Argentine Polo Open Championship.

Antony is a 'retired' forensic ethicist, a consultant in liability and risk management, and an intelligence operative. He is a published author. He has written and delivered professional education programmes for the insurance industry across North America. He is an alumnus of Strathclyde University and of St Francis Xavier University in Canada. An emeritus Advisor to the Institute for Insurance Ethics at Illinois State University, he is a member of the Institute for Global Ethics in Camden, Maine. As a National Panel Refereeing Coach and Assessor in both Canada and Scotland, Antony has been recognised as an expert witness in Canadian court proceedings concerning rugby players rendered partially or totally paralysed.

Peter's world was turned upside down in 2011 when his 14-year-old son Benjamin died following a school rugby match. Ben was treated and assessed multiple times during the match for Head Injuries and on each occasion was permitted to play on. In the final minutes of the game Ben was knocked out and tragically never regained Consciousness (Second Impact Syndrome). The resulting inquest highlighted the need for more Education and Awareness around Concussion/Brain Injury in Schools. Since then, Peter has campaigned to raise awareness of the danger of concussion and brain injuries for young sportspeople and has been a constant voice behind the 'If in doubt, sit them out' campaign.