More than 70 doctors and academics have called for a ban on tackling in rugby matches played in UK and Irish schools. The proposals have caused a stir in rugby circles so we take a look at the views of players, coaches and medical professionals in the debate
Allyson Pollock, Professor of Public Health Research and Policy, has written an open letter to UK and Irish Government Ministers calling for a ban on tackling in rugby matches played in UK and Irish schools.
Over 70 academics, doctors, and public health professionals have signed the letter which calls for a ban of the collision elements of rugby within school systems, so that children play touch and non-contact rugby.
The letter states that there is evidence showing a 28% risk of injury for a child rugby player over a season but critics claim that when taken in context of other sports and activities rugby is actually a relatively safe sport.
The rugby community has reacted strongly to this proposal and we have published the views of current and former players, as well as coaches and scientists on both sides of the debate.
We give our thoughts on the debate in our latest Podcast so have a listen and be sure to let us know what you think on Twitter and Facebook.
Open letter: preventing injuries in children playing school rugby – https://t.co/3acXAD2fdY
— Allyson Pollock (@AllysonPollock) March 2, 2016
Not a ban. Remove contact and prevent injury. Put children first before the corporate game. https://t.co/YLKwLqT05X
— Allyson Pollock (@AllysonPollock) March 2, 2016
2) It's strategically irrelevant – adult rugby WILL have contact so removing X cannot have long term benefits. @BBCSport
— Ross Tucker (@Scienceofsport) March 2, 2016
Oh & 4) The "Oops" effect – tackling won't go away in adult rugby,so all this will do is cause a spike when 1st exposed as adults @BBCSport
— Ross Tucker (@Scienceofsport) March 2, 2016
World Rugby response to ‘Ban on Rugby tackling’ petition in the UK: https://t.co/86bzlTzNYq pic.twitter.com/ceqjsGQx1r
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) March 2, 2016
92% of parents think that the benefits of children playing sport outweight the risks #rugbybuildscharacter pic.twitter.com/X95MPvlT5K
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) March 2, 2016
Rugby continues to get safer. Read more here: https://t.co/e5XCX9m8DU pic.twitter.com/TDiERThsND
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 2, 2016
Incensed at RFU's lazy dismissal of research on pain/injury? Feel free to RT. https://t.co/sVQfvWR18t pic.twitter.com/jjzUBg6GTI
— Dr. Katie Liston (@kliston14) March 2, 2016
Banning contact rugby till age 18 effectively precludes full rugby after; it's more dangerous to start unskilled, powerful adults tackling.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) March 2, 2016
Perspective needed on kids rugby.Rugby shapes lives,promotes activity. Injuries minimal+proportionate to other sports #RugbyBuildsCharacter
— Brett Gosper (@brettgosper) March 2, 2016
Let's not give these 70 so called experts the time of day. 70 are outnumbered by 1000's of ppl with real knowledge on the benefits of rugby!
— Richard Wigglesworth (@rwiggy9) March 2, 2016
I disagree with the campaign to ban tackling in school rugby. Looking forward to going onto @SkyNews @itvnews @channel5_tv today to discuss.
— Maggie Alphonsi MBE (@MaggieAlphonsi) March 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/JonThom82/status/704952743383928832
A lot to be said for limiting contact in school's rugby. Time to work on skills and technique. But to stop contact altogether? No.
— Sam Peters (@Sam_sportsnews) March 2, 2016
I had school friends who picked up worse injuries playing cricket and hockey, than tackling in rugby.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) March 2, 2016
A hockey ball/ rounders ball/ cricket ball in the face is pretty dangerous.
Ban balls from schools ☺
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) March 2, 2016
Rugby continues to make the game safer!! Context is needed before some medics blame the game for injuries. What about child obesity issue?
— Matt Dawson (@matt9dawson) March 2, 2016
Absurd talk of no tackling for U18s rugby. Coach it right and let them play the game. 18yo doing it for first time would be carnage.
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) March 2, 2016
I've been contacted by a doctor who works in rugby – has some fairly scathing views on @AllysonPollock's panel of experts/signatories.
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) March 2, 2016
Interesting RFU response inc news that from Sept 2016, "Full 15-a-side rugby will begin a year later at Under 14." https://t.co/2xJYprfO6k
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) March 2, 2016
Good to see one parent taking appropriate care for his child ahead of rugby training today… ??? pic.twitter.com/ExiitqzE1E
— ugo monye (@ugomonye) March 2, 2016
Experts warn schools that tackling in rugby can lead to cognitive impairment and diminished verbal abilities. pic.twitter.com/Ynd0A9VtOh
— HaveIGotNewsForYou (@haveigotnews) March 2, 2016