Rugby Club tackles the dangers of youth rugby

Monday 07 March 2016

Jersey looks to be ahead of the game and is tackling the dangers of youth rugby head on.

Doctors in the UK have been calling for a ban on tackling in youth rugby in schools because of the number of serious injuries they say can have lifelong and life-ending consequences for children.

They've written an open letter to Ministers and are urging UK schools to switch to playing touch and non-contact rugby instead.

But the Jersey Rugby Club’s doctor says it's not a particularly dangerous sport and there have been great strides to ensure the Island's schools know how to deal with any head injuries. Anyone suffering from concussion now has to take two weeks off before they can slowly return to the game while being monitored for another nine days to make sure they are fit to play contact rugby again.

Dr Adam Garnett said: “The inherent risks from playing rugby are very low, but a much greater awareness of these risks has developed in recent years, both internationally and in Jersey.

“There has been a particular focus on head injuries and concussion, and guidance on the latest concussion management protocol has been provided at presentations to Island schools, and to the Mini and Junior section at Jersey Rugby Club. This protocol now applies to all young rugby players.

“Great efforts have been made to ensure that the measures and training we have in place in Jersey are at least equivalent to, if not ahead of, the UK position.

“We will continue to monitor the latest developments in this area, and to heed the advice of the Rugby Football Union.”