This is a story every parent of a rugbly playing child should read. But be warned - it's very sad. Not an easy read at all.

[NorthernLebkuchen]

here

This is something that parents should be aware of as their children get involved in rugby - so that you can engage proactively and ensure they are protected whilst enjoying this fantastic sport.

When I was in school, one local lad died and another was completely paralysed playing rugby. And still we were forced to play the stupid game.

From Rugby Board Concussion Guidelines

Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, "feeling in a fog"
Physical signs: Loss of consciousness, vacant expression, vomiting, inappropriate playing behaviour, unsteady on legs, slowed reactions
Behavioural changes: Inappropriate emotions, irritability, feeling nervous or anxious
Cognitive impairment: Slowed reaction times, confusion/disorientation, poor attention and concentration, loss of memory for events up to and/or after the concussion
Sleep disturbance: Drowsiness

DO THEIR ONLINE TRAINING PACKAGE. Get your rugby club to do their online training package. All referees, coaches, trainers, everyone, should do it!

The school my sons go to seems to be on the ball. Ds1 had a head injury recently. Actually from a hockey stick rather than rugby. They didn't let him play rugby for a few weeks after; not just because of the wound but to make sure he was entirely right again.

place making to show dh. my dcs play in the minis, dh have up playing himself after he ruptured his cruciate and had surgery but he coaches the minis. Will ask him what the club is like. The video link is good.

This has made me more aware to be more vigilant of my own son and his team mates each Sunday. They are now 13/14 and I am noticing how the tackles are getting harder as they all grow.
I also realise now there was a match at the end of last season where I should of pulled my DS off the pitch, as when he stood back up from a tackle and ruck he stumbled shook his head (in hindsight as if to clear it) and joined back in the game. Not sure if the ref or coach saw this.

On a related point does anyone know how much protection scrum hats give? I always made my DS wear one until this season as he is getting older so I thought it could be his choice. After reading this I will be insisting he wears it again.

stella You need sneaky psychology. DS didn't like wearing his scrum cap and ended up with an injured ear. If it hadn't been treated he would have got cauliflower ear (and not been quite so gorgeous to the opposite sex). He got treated but it meant he missed several weeks' games and probably delayed his place in the First XV. Is that what your DS wants?

I know that mine didn't like his scrum cap because he said it impaired his hearing so he couldn't hear his team-mates' instructions.

Dh doesn't like scrum caps. He used to tape his ears to avoid cauliflower ears. Apparently there is something about the brain being more able to cope with a sharp knock than it is a low that is dissipated over the whole brain which is what a scrum hat does. I don't know the facts/lack of etc behind it. I'll have to educate myself once my lot get past minis and into contact but I've a while to go!

He has come back from school run and read article. Said the head Dr of Rubgy board thingy resigned over arguments about concussion and the 5 min retesting rule. Dr was saying 5 mins wasn't long enough before retesting to see if a player could go back on. Dh is confused by article and the holding fingers up, says what he was taught on Rugby Ready was asking what day it is, asking the score etc as signs of concussion. If player can't follow your fingers then yes they have issues but there are other things to do to test for concussion!

My sons are very little but I know of kids the same age who have started playing rugby (league). What a sad story, it has left me in tears. That poor family.

It's very interesting to read people's different experiences. If Ben's parents ever see this thread then they will know their story is reaching people.

I spent 15 years in Oz. The serious injury rate among amateur rugby and Aussie Rules players was far higher than amongst professionals; every year several young men are rendered quadriplegic by collapsing scrums. I used to perform the MRI scans that would determine, vertebral level by vertebral level, whether they'd ever breathe unaided again let alone have any hand movement.

You only need to look at the professionals: Solid, wide, squat, 'neckless' men to a bloke. Then look at your gorgeous, tall, graceful-but-muscled sons and ask... Hmm.

There's no way I'd encourage my sons to play rugby.

My nephew plays rugby & it does worry me. That story surprised & shocked me. We are a horsey family, and it is now the FEI (international equestrian body) rule that if you fall off in competition, you cannot remount & are eliminated. This is a big change from my Pony Club days, but was brought in due to the dangers of hidden concussion, among other things. I am surprised rugby players are allowed to continue to play after any heavy tackle/blow to the head.

Horse riding & rugby are both risk sports but the governing bodies should seek to minimise risks to young participants

Yes the tragedies involving concussion need to alert everyone. Childrens brains are not fully formed at 8 Parents need to be involved with schools

honestly schools are talking to us about 'child protection' and then sending them out to play rugby? have thought about this long and hard prior to this thread.....

Interestingly when I played rugby they were very hot on dealing with concussion. I had it once and wasn't allowed to play for a mandatory 3 weeks.

I wouldn't have any problem with my child playing rugby.

Team sports safely played are brilliant for children. I don't see any conflict with the messages school give out. They just need to keep the kids safe when playing. The tragedy in the article I linked to resulted from ALL the actions taken on the field of play.

Football seems more alert to head injuries than rugby. Parents at schools should have a say. After all, parents have their child for life. Not
just a few years

My DS is involved in rugby - he is only 7 so it's no contact, but I do have my worries about the sport as he gets older.

However at least rugby gets him outside doing exercise, rather than sitting at home in front of a screen. Yes there is a potential that he might have an injury, but also a reduced chance hopefully of heart disease, obesity and diabetes in later age.

Every parent has to weigh the balance in their head and decide what they want to do, but the article is important as it highlights the importance of insuring that the organisers are geared up to understand how to handle injuries on the field.

If your child suffers a concussion thy need 3 months away from contact sport, not a few weeks.

When I played rugby, they were very hot on concussion. I wonder what happened, or if the lack of interest was only in the men's game. I never wore a scrum cap, but did tape my ears, it didn't stop me getting cauliflower ears, but I think, probably lessened them, as a second row though, it was unlikely I was going to end up looking particularly beautiful anyway!

I have actively encouraged both my DS's to play, older one plays for his regiment and my younger DS, who has some fairly serious disabilities has been helped enormously by playing. Both love it. DH also played until he bust his ACL skiing for his regiment.

It is extremely important that clubs know and understand how to deal with concussion.