New chapter opens with inaugural RLPA Past Player Summit

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) hosted its inaugural Past Player Summit over Grand Final weekend. The summit brought together the official 2025 Tribute Group as well as all retiring players and other past players to build confidence and learn new skills that will benefit their transition into retirement. 

Led by the RLPA’s Joe Galuvao and hosted by the Past Player and Transition Program, the Past Player Summit also provided a significant connection opportunity for past players to connect with old teammates and create new connections with other past players. The new Grand Final week event equips retiring and past players with skills, networks and health support. 

With players’ partners invited to attend, the day featured workshops and several speakers who shared their stories of retirement and other special guests. 

The keynote speaker was Mark Matthews, an Australian big wave surfer who shared his incredible story of resilience, mindset, personal growth and fulfilment. 

The RLPA’s Anthony Gelling hosted a Q&A panel with three past players who are thriving in retirement. Corey Payne shared his story of transition into the corporate world with Amazon, Denan Kemp talked about his journey of exiting the game to becoming a successful business owner, and fellow business owner Lewi Brown spoke about overcoming his personal struggles. 

Associate Professor Andrew Gardner, who runs the Former Athlete Brain Health Research Program, presented education aimed at empowering past players to maintain and manage their long-term brain health. The NRL’s Dene Halatau and Dr. Sharon Flahive also ran the past players through a new health initiative for past players. 

Ryan James delivered the Acknowledgement of Country and Jordan Pereira spoke about his experience working at Stryker, which is part of the RLPA’s Player Employment Network. 

The Past Player Summit ended with a reunion in Darling Harbour. 

Tom Symonds Praises the Past Player Summit

“We’re proud to host our first-ever Summit, and the feedback from players was outstanding,” said Tom Symonds, the General Manager of Past Players and Transition. 

“The Grand Final week has traditionally been an important time for players in the official Tribute Group, but we believed the Past Player Summit would provide an important opportunity to welcome all other retiring players and past players to benefit from the day and be acknowledged for their contribution. 

“The Past Player Summit was a huge success and well attended, and credit needs to go to Joe Galuvao for the vision and immense work he put into the day. 

“We will now look to build on the Past Player Summit for 2026, and we thank all our special guests for sharing their knowledge and insights. We know the past players who attended valued the day and the effort put into helping them in their transition.” 

The Past Player Summit also provided tangible actions including sign-up opportunities with Program partners such as Westfund Health Insurance, mentorship matches, and post-event resources including guides and future connection events for all past players. 

About the Past Player & Transition Program 

The Program delivers certain support to players who have previously held an NRL Top 30, NRLW Top 24, Supplementary List, or Development List Contract, or contract of equivalent status. This includes those players who are subsequently playing in other leagues or competitions (e.g. State Cup and Super League) or in other sporting codes. 

The Program primarily focuses on providing transition-specific support for up to three years post-retirement from professional rugby league. There are engagement opportunities, services, and benefits for up to 10 years post a player’s last NRL or NRLW playing contract. 

Past Player & Transition Program Team 

Tom Symonds – GM of Past Players and Transition 
Joe Galuvao  
Morgan Te Oka  
Chris McQueen 
Chris Houston (part-time) 
Anthony Gelling (part-time) 
Dale Finucane (part-time)