Second Half rugby and the WRPA are delighted to announce the appointment of former Dragons player, Jack Cosgrove, as a trustee for our charity.
Late in 2019, Jack, aged 25 at the time, sustained a career-ending injury which forced him to retire from professional rugby with immediate effect. The Coventry born forward began a very successful season with the Newport Gwent Dragons in 2019, after former seasons with teams such as Worcester Warriors and Edinburgh, as well as call ups for the Scotland U20 squad.
However, one freak accident on the training ground changed everything. Jack faced the frightening reality that he would never be able to play rugby again and had to quickly come to terms with the loss of sight in one eye. Jack will have a lifetime of medical care to adapt to, as a result of putting his body on the line for a sport we all love. This is when he found the support of the WRPA and its charity Second Half Rugby. Through the WRPA’s support, Jack became the very first recipient of funding from Second Half Rugby – enabling him to seek and obtain the medical care and support he needed.
Now, over a year on, Jack is ready to give back to those who helped him at his darkest times by providing support to those who, through similar experiences, may now face the same challenges he did.
The charity’s trustee board is already made up of some notable figures; with the WRPA Chief Executive Barry Cawte, Head of Business Philippa Hearnden and WRPA Chairman and player James King holding trustee position. They are joined independently by Phil Lane OBE (read more on Phil’s appointment here) and Racing Foundation Trustee Linda Bowles (read more about Linda's appointment here).
Barry Cawte, Chief Executive of the WRPA and Second Half Rugby Trustee commented:
“Jack’s story is truly admirable; he has shown real resilience and determination over the last year since his injury. It’s highly commendable that through the support the WRPA and Second Half Rugby have been able to give to Jack, he now wishes to give back to his former teammates. We can’t wait to welcome him and have every confidence that he will bring vast knowledge and value to the charities trustee board.”
On his appointment Jack has said:
“Second Half Rugby and the WRPA helped me when I was in a time of need. It is easy to take for granted the work they do behind the scenes to protect and help players, until that day comes when you need the help yourself. Life can change in an instant, and I feel honoured that I can use my experience to help others now prepare and come to terms with life after the game. There are some truly incredible people working in the WPRA & Second Half and I am humbled to be able to take up this role alongside them.”
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Second Half Rugby is the registered charity of the Welsh Rugby Players Association, with the primary aim of supporting current and former professional rugby players in Wales who are suffering times of hardship.
Support is available to give aid towards anything from financial, integral, medical or mental health-related issues. Although other support is also provided, this often comes in the form of a financial grant, covering the costs incurred after a sustaining a career-ending injury.
Second Half Rugby aims to give back to those who have put their bodies on the line for the game and enable them to start their own Second Half as easily as possible.