A partnership programme
Build a career. Keep playing rugby.
A2I is Old Albanian RFC's partnership with Andrews Recruitment Group, helping rugby athletes transition into sustainable careers without stepping away from the game.
Who it's for
Returning students
Back from university and looking to combine club rugby with a career start. We help you find roles that fit your schedule and ambitions.
Released academy athletes (18–21)
You've given rugby everything. A2I ensures that chapter closes with a clear path forward — not a cliff edge.
Retiring semi-professional players
Stepping back from higher-level rugby? We help you translate leadership, discipline, and performance into employer-ready skills.
Retiring professional players
We work with Andrews Recruitment Group to design structured transitions for players coming out of full-time professional contracts.
The two-stage programme
Stage 1
OARFC
Profiling & preparation
- •Personal engagement — introducing athletes to the programme and building awareness of available support.
- •Athlete profiling — capturing background, career goals, and transition timeline.
- •Rugby readiness assessment — evaluating playing level, squad fit, and development pathway at the club.
- •Ongoing club rugby engagement — keeping athletes connected, training, and playing throughout the transition.
- •Post-handover check-ins — retaining the athlete's connection to the club once ARG leads the career pathway.
Stage 2
Andrews Recruitment Group
Career pathway & placement
- •Discovery call — understanding the athlete's goals, strengths, and preferred industries in depth.
- •Pre-career plan — building a structured roadmap aligned to the athlete's timeline and ambitions.
- •CV and interview workshops — developing the practical skills needed to compete effectively in the job market.
- •Leadership and professional development — translating rugby values into workplace competencies.
- •Lighthouse Safety certifications — supporting athletes through SSSTS, SMSTS, and CSCS qualifications where relevant.
- •Trial days with employers — giving athletes direct exposure to partner workplaces before committing to a role.
- •Employer placements with structured development plans — securing positions that include a clear year-one development framework.
- •Ongoing year-one support — ARG remains the athlete's point of contact throughout the first year in employment.
The handover
Once the club has profiled an athlete and both sides agree they're ready, the athlete is introduced to Andrews Recruitment Group and uploaded to the programme platform (The People System). From that point ARG leads the career pathway, and the club retains the rugby continuity point.
Value for athlete and club
What the athlete gets
- ✓Direct access to a network of employer partners across five sectors actively seeking rugby-background candidates.
- ✓Structured career support from initial profiling through to year-one employment, led by Andrews Recruitment Group.
- ✓Rugby continuity — the programme is designed to keep you playing, not force you to choose between career and club.
- ✓Lighthouse Safety certifications (SSSTS, SMSTS, CSCS) where applicable, funded through the programme.
What the club gets
- ✓A genuine welfare differentiator — a funded career-transition programme strengthens the club's recruitment proposition.
- ✓Retention of athletes who would otherwise retire or step down because of career pressures.
- ✓Funded placement support delivered by Andrews Recruitment Group, with no cost to the club.
- ✓Club positioning as career-forward — demonstrating that OARFC invests in the whole person, not just the player.
Our partner clients
Andrews Recruitment Group places athletes with employers across five sectors.
- Building Materials
- Industrial Engineering
- M&E
- Construction
- Recruitment
Partner clients commit to structured induction, a development plan for year one, and a named point of contact for the athlete.
For athletes
Register as an athlete
Tell us a bit about yourself and where you are in your rugby career. The club will be in touch within 48 hours.
For employers
Register as an employer
Tell us about your organisation and the kind of athletes you're looking to work with. Andrews Recruitment Group will follow up directly.