Rugby, a popular sport at both professional and amateur levels, is often taught in schools, sometimes on a compulsory basis, to children as young as ten. Although school rugby matches can be great fun and undoubtedly foment team spirit and sportsmanship, they also pose a serious threat to the well-being of the players. As a high-impact collision sport, rugby involves the kind of tackles that can result in many types of serious injuries, including dislocated shoulders, ligament tears and head trauma. In fact, studies show that, on average, around 10 per cent of school-age players suffer a concussion every season and some rugby-related injuries can have lifelong or even fatal consequences.
Not surprisingly, the medical profession has called for a ban on tackling during school rugby matches. Sales of protective headgear for children to wear during training and matches have also increased. Although parents believe that this equipment will safeguard their offspring, research suggests that it could actually increase the risk of serious injury. While the headgear successfully protects its wearers from minor cuts or bruises, it often fails to reduce the incidence of more serious injuries like concussion. This may be due to the fact that players who are wearing protective headgear are less concerned about getting hurt and, therefore, more prepared to behave recklessly and engage in dangerous tackles. Experts have also expressed concerns about the effect that a ban on tackling in schools will have on the children who continue to play rugby as adults. They believe that, if not coached in safe tackling techniques when young, players will be more likely to sustain serious injuries when they are older.