‘There is another way’: how schools are tackling rugby’s head injury crisis

Concern is mounting over dwindling playing numbers caused by safety fears as schools explore ways to depower rugby

Rugby union’s rapid and seemingly inexorable transition from “contact” into “collision” sport began around 1995 with professionalism and the change to its concussion and injury risk profile has led to serious questions about the game’s long-term viability.

Nowhere are these questions being asked more vociferously than in schools. While World Rugby, the sport’s global governing body, released figures last September reporting participation in rugby union is rising globally, this does not correlate with evidence from junior clubs and schools in England. There is mounting anecdotal concern over dwindling playing numbers caused by safety fears once they graduate from minis to playing contact rugby. Continue reading...


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