Performance Lifestyle is an individualised support service specifically designed to help each player (athlete) create the unique environment necessary for their success.

The WRU’s qualified Performance Lifestyle Manager will recognise that the rugby programme is the main focus for competing players (athletes) and provides guidance on how to maximise that focus while still fulfilling other important commitments such as career, family, social, financial & day to day issues.

The approach is to work closely with the players and also the coaches and support specialists as part of an integrated team to minimise potential concerns, conflicts and distractions, all of which can be detrimental to performance, and at worst, may end a career prematurely.

Today’s high performance rugby player (athlete) needs a high degree of self-management and professionalism. Support from the WRU PL Manager is available for:

- Coping skills
- Career exploration
- Educational advice
- Time management
- Budgeting & finance
- Dealing with the media
- Sponsorship & promotion activities
- Negotiation/ Conflict management
- Injury strategy
- Selection and de-selection
- Retirement (Voluntary or involuntary)

The first meeting between the Performance Lifestyle Manager & the player will include a form of screening session. This is an important time for the Lifestyle adviser to get background information on the player and this helps gain rapport with the player so that they feel confident about trusting the adviser. The process used also helps to identify any issues so that both the player and adviser can be proactive in dealing with these.

There are many ways of carrying out this screening session and the most appropriate way will depend on many things such as what the player wants to talk about and how the approach is made, the amount of time available and the particular competence of the adviser / manager.

Advice and professional resource is available for players (athletes) on finding a suitable job and deciding on a future career, that meets their needs. Some common situations are:

- A job to supplement income and fit around training demands
- Work placements to give a taste of possible careers options
- Planning for a second career after sport
- Work suitability and Career pathways

WRU PL Manager will have links with local & national employers, along with the skills required to improve career potential by promoting and identifying the range of skills and experiences players (athletes) can bring to the workplace.

Some players (athletes) will be combining study with their sport whilst others may think about taking further qualifications and training in preparation for life after sport. Guidance is available on:

- FE, HE and Vocational courses
- Part time, flexible &/or professional courses
- Gaining flexibility in an existing study programme

The WRU Performance Lifestyle service is available to all elite academy and national players at all levels – age grade & seniors. Players can arrange confidential individual sessions with WRU PL Manager at a suitable and convenient location throughout each region in Wales. The WRU PL Manager will also attend regional &/or National squad camps. The WRU PL Manager can also work with the sport’s staff to deliver lifestyle management activities around an annual programme or training camps.

One to one sessions: The strength of the programme is being able to support the player on a one to one basis. The WRU PL Manager will interact with players in a safe & confidential environment. The WRU PL Manager is trained in skills to communicate, counsel and guide players in a variety of situations. He will also have the knowledge and resources to help the players through issues raised under the key performance areas.

Confidentiality: Performance Lifestyle is offered as a confidential service to the players. This is important so that the players feel that they can open up to the WRU PL Manager if they want to. This helps to lead the player through a variety of important decisions, including life after sport.
Maintaining confidentiality comes from the professionalism of the WRU PL Manager. He will know and understand the boundaries of confidentiality and the process to follow. However, there may be many issues when it is important to encourage openness. This will only be referred when agreed with the player.

Referral: The WRU PL Manager will help the players in one of the key performance areas. However, as the player develops an open, trusting & helping relationship, the player may speak to the WRU PL Manager about issues that are strictly not under their area of expertise. In these cases the WRU PL Manager will have a network of people who they can refer players to in areas such as:

- Conflict within the sport
- Personal counseling
- Relationships
- Bereavement
- Financial
- Psychological

Recording Information: All player sessions should be recorded onto the appropriate database. The database is fully confidential and only the WRU PL Manager will access this personal information. However, the database does allow for reports to be produced on the number of sessions, type of sessions, dates, locations & career issues and if maintained is an excellent feedback resource for the sports executives.

The database also includes lists of any facilitators that are accredited and available to run workshops along with the referral network. Information will not be passed from one adviser to a member of staff unless permission is granted by the player.