RFU Injured Players Foundation announce new chair
The RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF), England Rugby’s Official charity, is delighted to announce Prof Stephen Duckworth OBE, DSc, FKC(Lon), PhD, MSc, LRCP, MRCS, FDSRCS (Hon) as its new Chair.
The RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF), England Rugby’s Official charity, is delighted to announce Prof Stephen Duckworth OBE, DSc, FKC(Lon), PhD, MSc, LRCP, MRCS, FDSRCS(Hon) as its new Chair.
A long-standing client of the IPF and Trustee since July 2015, Stephen is perfectly placed to take over the role having extensive charity experience including acting as a Trustee for Inspire, being a friend of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association and Special Adviser to the Shaw Trust. He also holds several Non-Executive Director positions across various industries, including for Network Rail, Palace of Westminster, and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Stephen has also had an impressive career, studying medicine at Guy’s Hospital and then completing his PhD at the University of Southampton, all following his accident. He set up his own company, Disability Matters Ltd which he was Chief Executive of for over 20 years before taking on Chief Executive roles across several other businesses and industries.
Stephen said: “It’s a great honour to be appointed Chair of this incredible charity and for me there is no greater privilege. I have been involved for nine years now and to become the first disabled person injured through rugby to become Chair is fantastic.
“One of my main areas of focus as I take on the role will be about raising awareness of the IPF and the amazing work the charity does to support players, as well as driving change with regards the perception of disabled people within wider society, proving how valuable we are.
“We will continue to put our clients at the heart of all decisions we make, and I’ll be working hard with the wider team to ensure the IPF continues to help our clients grow in their lives, find their personal ambition, have families and secure employment by providing and finding opportunities.
“Rugby is a family. I would never try and persuade people not to play our sport because of my accident. I’m more likely to get injured on the way to the game than I am playing the sport itself. As injured players we are a valuable part of that family and are proud to be so, and that family is strong.”
