Doctors, academics and health experts have called for tackling to be banned in rugby played in schools in Britain and Ireland to reduce the risk of children suffering serious injuries.
In an open letter to ministers and chief medical officers, 73 signatories yesterday expressed concern about government plans to increase participation in rugby in English schools.
“The majority of all injuries occur during contact or collision, such as the tackle and the scrum,” the letter stated, calling for a switch to touch and non-contact versions of the game.
“These injuries, which include fractures, ligamentous tears, dislocated shoulders, spinal injuries and head injuries, can have short-term, life-long and life-ending consequences for children.”
England hosted last year’s World Cup and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) launched an “All Schools” programme in 2012 aimed at increasing the number of state secondary schools playing rugby.
The RFU has recently changed the rules of junior rugby with a graduated exposure to its physical aspects.
Until the age of nine, children play only tag, after which tackling is introduced. The following year they are involved in rucking, while contested scrums, lineouts and kicking come in for older age groups. — Reuters
Parents, doctors and academics want tackling to be banned in British schools rugby
In an open letter to ministers and chief medical officers, 73 signatories yesterday expressed concern about government plans to increase participation in rugby in English schools.
“The majority of all injuries occur during contact or collision, such as the tackle and the scrum,” the letter stated, calling for a switch to touch and non-contact versions of the game.
“These injuries, which include fractures, ligamentous tears, dislocated shoulders, spinal injuries and head injuries, can have short-term, life-long and life-ending consequences for children.”
England hosted last year’s World Cup and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) launched an “All Schools” programme in 2012 aimed at increasing the number of state secondary schools playing rugby.
The RFU has recently changed the rules of junior rugby with a graduated exposure to its physical aspects.
Until the age of nine, children play only tag, after which tackling is introduced. The following year they are involved in rucking, while contested scrums, lineouts and kicking come in for older age groups. — Reuters
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