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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Full Contact Rugby

15 replies

spababe · 07/10/2014 16:46

Do your DCs play contact rugby and if so, what position and how often do they get injured.

My DS seems to see minor injuries as a badge of honour and I hate the fact he might get seriously injured but he loves the sport and it's impossible to take that away from him. He plays front row and I have bought body armour and a scrum cap.

OP posts:
dexter73 · 07/10/2014 17:26

My dd plays contact rugby as a fullback. She hasn't been injured too often. One trip to A&E for concussion and one for a suspected broken hand. She always has bruises and scrapes from studs. She loves it too and has played for the county for the past 3 years, which she is very proud of. She now plays for the ladies team as well as U18s.

Maryz · 08/10/2014 11:08

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TheGirlFromIpanema · 08/10/2014 11:26

DS plays league so has been full contact since age 6, he plays prop forward.

He's 11 now and has had a few minor injuries over the years including breaking the same thumb twice.

I have just had to get over my fear of injury i suppose. Well, he wouldn't ever know I'm scared of serious injury, even if I am iyswim.
I've seen a few serious incidents over the years so am aware they can and do happen.

Maryz · 08/10/2014 11:33

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Hobnobissupersweet · 09/10/2014 22:13

I agree with MaryZ, minor injuries, knocks etc common, major injuries fairly rare, and even having had one son, ( out of 4), permanently injured out of the game I am still more than happy for the others to continue playing. There really are loads worse things for youngsters to be getting up to than being based on the rugby field. Mine are all forwards as well so more risk ( mostly hookers/props with some flanking going on)
I can't really talk anyway as I still event and that continues to have a horrific attrition rate.

notquiteruralbliss · 12/10/2014 21:34

DDs play. Injuries have ranged from from black eyes, bruises etc (most notable being when 12yo DD ripped the ball in a match and the boy she ripped punched her in the face) to eldest, who plays at uni getting bursitis after a drop tackle and needing intensive physio. None have had any really serious injuries and they do love playing. TBH they do other things that are probably more dangerous.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 12/10/2014 21:38

We had an ambulance out to an U12 match the other week, we were on a different field so not sure what happened

Travelledtheworld · 12/10/2014 22:59

DS plays second row for U15's.
There seems to be one injury every game. Mild concussion. Split lip, cut cheeks, broken fingers.
Gets worse as they get bigger and heavier...

But I agree with Mary Z better them playing supervised team sports than drink driving etc.

stealthsquiggle · 12/10/2014 23:07

Yes, U13, prop or second row depending on team selection, and it depends what you mean by injuries. He always comes home sporting a selection of stud marks and other bruises, and occasional sprained muscles or fingers that have been hyper extended. Had to take him to A&E to check a wrist (just sprained, not broken), but, so far nothing worse yet. He did tackle another boy in training a week or so ago who ended up with a broken collar bone, though, which really upset him even though he did nothing wrong.

Ehhn · 12/10/2014 23:07

I play to a decent standard as does my oh. He's broken his wrist and I've dislocated my thumb but apart from that (touch wood) only minor injuries ina combined 32 years of rugby. Knees are the worst, seen a fair few of those during matches over the years. But then, my mil has double knee replacements after 5 surgeries since the late 1960s. She buggered them playing netball.

The benefits to confidence, maturity, teamwork and - particularly for some adolescent boys - a way of working through negative emotions, all outweigh the risks.

prettydaisies · 12/10/2014 23:14

DS plays now as an U18, both at school and club. Has been playing since he was tiny. He's in the front row and no serious injuries. Hope it continues.

whattodoforthebest2 · 12/10/2014 23:35

DS1 is 22 and plays at county and league 2 level and 7's. He's addicted, plays/trains 4 times a week and has had more minor injuries (cuts, sprains, ligaments etc) than I can count. It never stops him. He's got an odd-shaped shoulder now but won't get it seen to as it'll interfere with his season! He plays on the wing. I'm glad he's so enthusiastic, his health and fitness are paramount, so smoking and drugs are a no-no unlike the beer.

Theas18 · 13/10/2014 14:24

DS played full contact rugby from aged 11 to 17 ( wisely, but sadly bowing out as A 2 year was too much to risk).

No 8 what ever that is.

Apart from the 1st season he had a significant injury every blooming year and didn't complete the season 3 out of 5. By significant I mean needing more than 1 day off school or a hospital visit.

He had a neck injury and was told to finish the game " as it's nearly over" and allowed to go home on the bus..... when I got home he couldn't raise his head to play playstation. Took him to A+E and the spinal boarded him and threatened to cut his clothes off! bit late by then. I did complain but apparently he didn't make enough fuss basically. Over a week off school and a course of physio to settle that.

He tore a calf such that he couldn't walk to the bus stop and I had to pick him up off the wall outside school by car.He was off school nearly a week till he could safely move around school. Again he didn't make enough fuss...

when will they get it that teenage boys full off " battle adrenaline" don't want to make a fuss infront of mates, even if they can accurately asses their injuries ( which I'm sure they can't).

And the club match when he fractured his collarbone..about the 1st match of the season. noone realised the ground was frozen solid as it was unseasonably freezing and very dry.

Strains/sprains/studmarks/cuts/blackeyes all very much normal. My question even before the score was " what have you damaged today then"

But then again he seems to have a permanent duck pout after the hockey ball to the face in the one and only hockey match he played (year 11 house match) so that doesn't seem any safer! At least it proved the worth of a quality mouthguard, he still has teeth!

Can't wait for him to start playing again at uni Sad but at the moment apparently he's working on his fitness in the gym Grin]

Original poster
spababe · 15/10/2014 17:46

Yes my lad has been spine boarded, neck blocked and ambulanced to hospital. When we arrived there were a few other lads there in the same condition. I'm grateful that the coaches were so serious about the injury and very very grateful he was OK.
He seems to pick up minor injuries all the time but he loves the game and won't stop or even consider it.
He is solid muscle so plays front row.

OP posts:
Feckbloodypets · 16/10/2014 17:34

Rules up in Scotland were a little different so DS has played full contact since 4 years old, now plays u15's as either hooker or openside flanker and has had multiple cuts and bruises but only 1 concussion and I am an evil mum who doesn't allow scrum caps or any padding. I also play to a decent standard as hooker and touch wood at 35 I have never had what anyone would call a serious injury even though both achillies and 1 cruciate are hanging on by a thread

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