Celebrating career excellence on and off the field with RUPA

Robert Walters was proud to attend and sponsor a major award at the 2024 BDO Rugby Players Lunch, hosted by Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) and BDO last week. The annual event celebrates the achievements of Australia’s rugby players – both on the field and in their personal, academic, and professional development.

Held in recognition of the individual behind the athlete, the lunch honoured players who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to sport, study, and the wider community.

As RUPA’s designated recruitment partner, Robert Walters had the privilege of presenting the RUPA Academic Excellence Award, which recognises players who have shown exceptional commitment to building a career outside of rugby while still performing at the highest level in the game. It’s a reflection of the resilience, ambition, and discipline required to thrive in both arenas.

This year, the award celebrated two exceptional recipients:

• Andy Muirhead, founder of Yara, an organisation that creates career pathways in civil construction for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals. Andy’s work with Yara, and its partnership with the Brumbies through the First Nations Pathways program, is driving real change both within and outside rugby.

• Ed Kennedy, who holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, was added to the University of Tasmania Roll of Excellence for 2024. After retiring from rugby earlier this year, Ed engaged with the Robert Walters team for support with career planning, CV development and interview preparation – and has since secured a role as Investment Assistant at Escala.

These players exemplify the values of the RUPA and Robert Walters partnership - using their platform as athletes to build purposeful, impactful careers that extend far beyond the game.

Thank you to RUPA, BDO and the rugby community for another incredible event highlighting the stories, strengths and futures of our players.

As RUPA's designated recruitment partner, Robert Walters is committed to supporting current and former players as they navigate their next steps beyond rugby. Through career development sessions, individual coaching and strategic connections, we help athletes discover rewarding opportunities that align with their goals. Learn more about our partnership here.