A pro rugby player doesn’t necessarily need an agent or manager, but it might help for you to talk to someone well-informed about your plans and the likely transitions you will encounter. Hasty and ill-judged decisions can affect your whole career, so here are some pointers:
Look ahead:
You should be able to plot a career path and deal with the likely transitions before they happen. Burying your head in the sand and hoping that something comes up is not a constructive approach.
Shop Around:
Take free advice from whoever has an informed view – don’t rule out senior players, coaches or team managers, they’ve been through it all and you should be able to judge whether they have your best interests at heart. Meeting agents doesn’t cost anything, contracting with them does.
Do not instruct more than one party to act on your behalf. Two or three agents purporting to represent you in the market can only lead to misunderstanding and ultimately a reduction in your value.
Once you’ve made your decision it’s wise to contact those other agents who have given you their time to explain yourself – a difficult call to make, but good-practise in the long term.
Great expectations:
If you decide an agent or manager is best for you, talk through the process before agreeing to commit. Discuss your expectations, both short and long term: your strengths and weaknesses, what’s important in your life, which coaches you have enjoyed working with, which clubs you feel positive about etc. Alarm bells should ring if the agent isn’t interested in what you think or what you want!
Beware the dangling carrots:
Some agents will lead you to believe they can unlock the door to untold riches only to let you down once you’re back in the cold light of day; some might take you out on the town; some have been known to offer gifts for signing with their company. If someone tells you they will make you a fortune overnight, don’t believe them.
Get your agent agreement in writing:
if you don’t have a true understanding from the outset how do you expect a good working relationship and a favourable outcome. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for the right to be able to terminate the agreement after a brief trial period. Get a lawyer or another knowledgable person to look over any contract before signing it.
Clarify what and how the agent is being paid for his work:
he should not be receiving payment as a service to the club as well as charging you. If the club is paying the agent on your behalf you may have to pay tax and NI on that amount as Benefit in Kind.
Agents fees
If you allow your agent to take a fee as a proportion of a long-term contract (usually between 5% and 10%), ask to pay the fee over the period of your employment not as a one-off advance. That way you can be sure he’ll be interested in your progress throughout the contract duration.
Registered Agents
The RFU have run an agents registration scheme since 2009, the other home unions will soon follow suit. The scheme prevents individuals (who are not exempt eg.parents or lawyers) from representing a player or club without being known to the governing body. Being registered obliges an agent and employer clubs to observe certain regulations that protect the players’ interests (for more info click here)
Other players
Ask about other players the agent represents. He may look after many other players of your standard or in your position competing for the same job.
Keep informed
If you’re not sure: ask. An agent should keep you informed of what is happening. You’re quite within your rights to ask to attend meetings with the club or clubs. Get written reports of negotiation details or clarification of important points if you feel it’s important – keep a file.
Eye for detail
It is not just about the money. Any contract or written agreement that requires your signature should be taken away and read carefully. Don’t rush. Detailed points like: insurance cover for your salary in event of injury, details of termination clauses, pension scheme payments, accelerated pay scales if you develop faster than expected etc. need to be considered. Take a photocopy of anything you sign.
Contracts
Contrary to popular belief, a verbal agreement is worth the paper it is written on. A hand-shake agreement is a binding contract, just much more difficult to settle when things don’t go according to plan.
Off-field earnings
are there for players who have made a name for themselves. There are a few commercial opportunities, but usually limited to senior international players. You can have 20 senior caps for your country and still earn very little away from the pitch. Ask the advice of a senior player who you trust if you feel you are being misled or under-valued.
