The RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) has today announced Evan Davies BM FRCS Ed as its new Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Davies became an IPF Trustee in 2017 and contributes a wealth of knowledge to the Foundation as a Consultant Spinal Surgeon at University Hospital Southampton. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton.
Davies succeeds Stephen Duckworth OBE who became the first IPF member (beneficiary) to serve as Chair of the Board when appointed in 2024.
The IPF is England Rugby’s official charity and supports players at any level of the game who have sustained an acute life-changing injury while playing rugby union in England.
While thankfully extremely rare, if a catastrophic injury does occur on the pitch, the IPF are on hand to ensure access to the most appropriate medical care as well as emotional, practical and financial assistance. Support can be provided for a player and their family for life if needed.
The IPF also funds research to improve injury management and to reduce the risk of catastrophic injury occurring in the game.
Speaking about his appointment, Davies said:
“It is a huge honour to be named Chair of the Board of Trustees for the RFU Injured Players Foundation and to follow people who have achieved amazing things in this role, particularly Stephen Duckworth who has inspired us all during his time as chair.
“We are lucky to have such a high calibre of trustees on our IPF Board, who bring significant expertise in a variety of fields. The Board also includes IPF members which is really important to help us understand how we can provide the best for our players.
“It is hugely rewarding to see the positive impact that IPF support can have in a player’s life, and it is a joy to be part of that going forward.
“Seeing what our members go on to achieve - the mountains they climb physically, mentally and professionally is so inspiring.”
Passion for rugby
Hailing from the West Country, Davies’ passion for rugby remains as strong at 60 as it was when he first laced his boots for Midsomer Norton Rugby club as a six-year-old.
Now vice-president of Romsey Rugby Club in Hampshire, the former prop has extended his playing career as an enthusiastic member of the club’s walking rugby team.
“Friends that I met through rugby aged six are still great friends today, and rugby continues to be my mental health haven and my passion,” he says. “It is important to me to give back to the game I love and to the rugby family that I’m proud to be part of.
“I bring the skills of a surgeon but also the concerns of a rugby player. Being able to combine my passion for rugby with my experience of helping people with spinal injuries throughout my working life in the NHS will hopefully prove beneficial to our IPF members.”
Looking ahead at his three-year term as chair, Davies has clear goals: “Our main aim is to help our IPF members lead the best lives they can by responding to their needs.
“Every penny raised for the Foundation goes towards achieving that, be that through emotional, financial or practical support such as additional rehabilitation or housing adaptations and specialised equipment.”
Focusing on research
Research into injury management and prevention will continue to form a key focus area for the IPF and for Davies, who is also deputy editor of Global Spine Journal.
“We are strongly involved in advocacy for our players,” he explains “making sure they can access the right medical care and equipment. We recently partnered with the Wheelchair Alliance to significantly enhance this area of importance.
“We have strong partnerships with Spinal Research, Brain Research UK and with universities nationwide to identify how we can improve our players’ quality of life. Our IPF injury research programme is a passionate area for me.
“Thankfully catastrophic injuries are incredibly rare in rugby. However, we naturally want to reduce occurrences further. That’s why the IPF invests in research to reduce the risk of catastrophic injury occurring in rugby.”
Raising the IPF’s profile
Another key goal for Davies is to increase awareness of the Injured Players Foundation so the rugby community knows support is available should a life-changing injury happen on the rugby pitch.
“I'm keen for every rugby player and club in England to know how to contact the Injured Players Foundation, either directly or by submitting the RFU injury report form, so that a player and their family can receive immediate and life-long support if needed.
“Rugby is a family and we care for each other. The IPF reflects that. If there are any rugby players wondering how they can give back to this wonderful game, I’d encourage them to support the Injured Players Foundation.”
Speaking about Davies’ appointment, IPF Director Dr Karen Hood said:
“It is a pleasure to welcome Evan Davies, one of UK’s leading spinal surgeons, as our new IPF Chair.
“Evan’s medical expertise, alongside other healthcare practitioners on the IPF Board, is hugely valuable to the Foundation at a strategic level. It is also extremely beneficial when talking to our members as he has such an understanding of the challenges they may face.
“One of Evan’s many strengths is his clinical expertise, which will help the IPF address how it will adapt to changes in care, medicine and research to make sure we are providing the best care for our members and responding to changing needs.
“On behalf of everyone connected with the RFU Injured Players Foundation, I would also like to thank Stephen Duckworth for his tireless commitment to the charity and his advocacy for our IPF members during his tenure as chair.
“Stephen’s expertise as a medical professional, IPF member and disability rights advocate have been incredibly valuable during his leadership of the Foundation. We are delighted he will continue to make a significant contribution to the IPF as a trustee for another year.”
IPF Board information is available here
Stephen Duckworth OBE
A video with IPF Chair Evan Davies is available to watch below
