âBritish Bulldogâ, another rough contact activity, is increasingly outlawed in
risk-averse schools. So why not rugby too?
This is the crucial question posed by a soon-to-be-published book: Tackling
Rugby: What Every Parent Should Know, by Professor Allyson Pollock, from
Queen Mary College.
In it, Prof Pollock, whose son suffered concussion playing rugby, makes the
startling claim that school players have nearly a one-in-six (âat least 17
per centâ) chance of injury during the season.
Surely this is one statistic guaranteed to grab the attention of any player,
parent or coach. With fifteen players in a team, two or three will be
crocked â suffering pain and injury in the process.
And yes, like most coaches, Iâve seen teenagers flat out on the pitch after a
ferocious tackle. Iâve heard the sickening snap of broken teenage bones.
Iâve witnessed the sad sight of teenagers trying to hold back the pain of a
blow, tears welling up all the while.
Safety. The sport is already hugely aware of its paramount importance.
Indeed the need for safety is the mantra drilled into school players and
coaches from Day One: âSafety is more important than winning and losingâ.
Coaches are increasingly trained in safety procedures, like using uncontested
scrums. No school fixture now takes place without attendant medics â though
we all pray, each Saturday, theyâll never be needed. Yet unscheduled trips
to hospitals still happen on too many match days.
So should we ban the game, as Professor Pollock argues? Clearly the risk of
injury will never be eradicated from such a high-contact sport. But I still
believe the many benefits rugby brings outweigh the undoubted risks.
Rugby offers teenagers increased confidence and self-respect, as the ultimate
character-building sport. It fosters courage, fitness, team effort and
togetherness, bringing together boys and girls from all backgrounds.
It teaches great sportsmanship â shaking hands with an opponent â even after
being hurt by them in some crunching tackle. It applauds skill and
commitment. Cheating is almost unheard-of. And this is one game where the
word of the referee really is law. Never once have I heard a player argue
with a referee or feign injury.
What other game can boast all this?
So we certainly need to be aware of rugbyâs risks â but not blind to the
gameâs many benefits. In my view, rugby should have a healthy future in
schools.
The author teaches English at a top independent boarding school @BoardingBeak.
Also by the author:
Common sense returns to English GCSEs
Nobody likes GCSEs, but they’re the best we’ve got
Results Day 2014: spare a thought for teachers
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"School rugby brings more benefits than risks"
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