Open letter tackles dangers: Schools rugby health warning

THERE is a growing consensus among health professionals as well as sportspeople that rugby as it is currently played in schools is simply too dangerous to continue unchecked.

More than 70 doctors and health experts from the UK and US have written to the Minister for Sport, the Chief Medical Officer, and the Children’s Ombudsman, calling for a ban on tackling in school rugby games. In an open letter, also sent to authorities in the UK, they warn of the high risk of serious injury among under-18s and urge schools to move to touch and non-contact versions of the game.

It describes rugby as a “high-impact collision sport” and states “children are being left exposed to serious and catastrophic risk of injury.