International Player Management

About us

Adding value to your life and career

International Player Management exists to add value to the lives and the careers of professional rugby players by earning their respect as trusted advisors through delivering on our promises to our Players. We will help our Players evaluate what their hopes and dreams are for not only their playing careers, but for life after rugby.

We adopt an approach to player management that is suited to the rugby professional who seeks a true partnership with both an organisation and Player Manager who looks to go beyond simply contract management. International has a team of diverse skills and experience that works together to support the Player and so ensure he receives the best advice possible.

The playing career of a professional rugby player needs to be managed within the context that it is of a limited duration and that poor decisions can have a significant impact on the Players career and financial well being. Successful playing careers do not just happen they are cultivated! International, while fully respecting that the final decision regarding one's career rests with the Player, undertake to have the honest conversation with the Player in the knowledge that a short term financial proposition may not always be in one's best career interests.

International’s role is not only to maximise the earning potential of the Players they manage over the entire duration of their playing careers, but to ensure Players receive the appropriate advice to ensure these earnings are soundly invested for the future.

At International we understand that a player's family and their well being is paramount to a player settling in well in a new club and country. The client manager will be the main point of contact for the families for anything they need to ensure they are happy in their new environment, from sorting out accommodation, schools, shopping and anything else that may come up.

International has full offices in both South Africa and the United Kingdom, with exclusive Agents based in Italy and France and a strategic working relationship with a leading Agent in Japan.

International Player Management operates as two separate legal entities one in South Africa and the other in United Kingdom. These respective businesses have agreed to collaborate closely, under the same brand given their commitment and approach to Player Management that ensures International players receive the same level of service whether playing in South Africa, United Kingdom or Europe.

Services

What we do

For International Player Management, the focus is on representing the best in the world of International Rugby. With years of experience, we negotiate and secure marketing and event agreements. We also work very closely with each unique client to develop tailored career plans that fit the career goals and personal goals of the professional rugby player.

International Player Management offers a personalised service by engaging beyond basic negotiations. We help determine the best options for our clients and guide them in their ultimate, and unique, financial and professional decisions.
We render the following services:

Contract negotiation and arbitration

We strive for the pinnacle of contract negotiations and labour towards maximizing the earning potential of our clients. Our clients have some of the highest-grossing contracts in the sport of rugby. Full confidentiality is guaranteed.

Marketing and endorsments

International Player Management maintains excellent affiliations with International Rugby sponsors and have secured new sponsors to the industry. Our goal remains to align our clients with brands that are beneficial to the player and the brand, while ensuring the development of a long-term and prosperous relationship.

Media and publications

Our dedicated team handles all levels of exposure and promotions of our clients. Together with the client, we recognise media opportunities that fit their lifestyle and interests. International Player Management secures media placements in the top media outlets in the world – both sport and non-sport entities.

Career management

The main goal for International Player Management, is to ensure that our client is able to focus on his game 100% - training, playing and winning. We handle the small details, including travel arrangements, legal assistance and consolidation of requests to maximize the client’s time. We at International pride ourselves on the personal service we offer all our clients and families.

THIS IS SOME OF THE TALENT WE WORK WITH

Elrigh Louw

Springbok / Bulls

Werner Kok

Sharks

Santiago Cordero

Bordeaux

Kwagga Smith

Springbok / Yamaha

Jesse Kriel

Springbok / Canon

Handre Pollard

Leicester Tigers

Neil Powell

Director of Rugby - Sharks.

Andries Coetzee

Lions

Courtnall Skosan

Springbok / Northampton Saints

Stedman Gans

Blitzboks / Bulls

Marcel van der Merwe

London Irish

John Plumtree

Ex All Blacks assistant coach

Faf de Klerk

Canon

Manu Tuilagi

Sale

Our Team

Check our awesome team members who always work hard to provide quality products.
Jo Hollis
Jo Hollis
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Client Manager

Jo was Team Manager with Leicester Tigers from 1997 – 2015, working with Bob Dwyer, Dean Richards, Martin Johnson, Pat Howard and Heyneke Meyer during the Club's years as European Champions in 2001, 2002, in 2013 winning the Premiership for the 10th time. She administered the team liaising with the governing bodies and the Home Office to obtain and maintain appropriate paperwork, managing the teams' commercial appearances, ensuring their and their families welfare while training and in competition.


jo@internationalplayermanagement.com
Matt Ginvert
Matt Ginvert
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Managing Director

Matt played with Leicester Tigers and Nottingham from 1992 to 1999. He then embarked on becoming an agent and Marketing Manager joining SFX Sports Group in 2003, the worlds largest Football Agency representing David Beckham, Michael Owen, Alan Shearer as well as Global Sporting Icons, Andrea Agassi, John Daley and Michael Jordan. In 2005 Matt left SFX to set up Arruga Sports taking with him his players amongst whom were Gavin Henson and Shane Williams, 10 years later Matt has developed his boutique agency to be one of the most successful and respected Rugby Management companies in Europe representing Premiership Players of the Year Vereniki Goneva and “Castro” amongst others.


matt@internationalplayermanagement.com
Rod Labuschagne
Rod Labuschagne
South Africa
South Africa
Director

Rod turned professional in 2003 and played most of his professional rugby in New Zealand, England, Italy and France. He retired in 2010 after a final season with Boland and chose to remain involved in rugby and become an agent. Rod besides his role in South Africa looks after Italy.


rod@internationalplayermanagement.com
Lean Schwartz
Lean Schwartz
South Africa
South Africa
Director

Lean played for South Africa at U19 and U20 level before turning professional at the Bulls in 2010 He elected to pursue a degree in law and qualified at the end of 2016. Born into a rugby family he elected to become an agent and made a name for himself for his knowledge of the game. Lean besides his role in South Africa looks after Japan.


lean@internationalplayermanagement.com
Rex Tomlinson
Rex Tomlinson
South Africa / United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Director

Rex has had an extensive corporate career having served as an executive director on the boards Illovo Limited, Nampak Limited and Liberty Holding Limited as Deputy Group Chief Executive. He currently serves as a non-executive director of listed companies, is Chairman of unlisted companies and is a business advisor to corporates.


rex@internationalplayermanagement.com
Bianca Coates
Bianca Coates
South Africa
South Africa
Administration Manager

Bianca joined the team as Player Administration Manager at International Player Management. Bianca has been involved in the establishment and growth of International as a business and is well positioned to assume this important support role for the team. She has overall responsibility for administration of the business, account related queries, travel including visa applications and the website.


bianca@internationalplayermanagement.com
Tiaan Coetzee
Tiaan Coetzee
South Africa
Client Manager

Tiaan played junior provincial rugby for the Bulls before going on trial with Agen and Stade Français in France. 

Coetzee returned from France and rejoined the Bulls under a Manager Internship agreement assisting the Super Rugby & Currie Cup sides. 

He studied Project Management & Public Relations through the University of Cape Town’s GetSmarter online course and is busy studying Marketing & Sales Management through the Digital School of Marketing. 

Tiaan oversees IPM’s social media platform & marketing division. 


tiaan@internationalplayermanagement.com
Hanco Venter
Hanco Venter
South Africa
Client Manager

Hanco played rugby for South Africa at U20 level, before turning professional at the Sharks in 2012. Hanco was a candidate attorney since 2018 up until 2021. He is in his final year of studying LLB law. Born into a rugby and sport family, Hanco is currently doing his internship at IPM to became an agent and to use his extensive rugby knowledge to make a name for himself in the industry. Besides his role to become an agent, Hanco will also be looking over all IPM’s legal disputes.


hanco@internationalplayermanagement.com

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