Teddies Talks Biology - Fourth Edition

Should contact rugby be banned at school level? Tinka Hughes - L6th

Throughout the months of March and July 2016, medical officers and doctors called for tackling and other forms of harmful contact to be removed from school level rugby. Will Car- ling, former captain for England, suggested that, “organising children in weight categories, not age” should be an alternative, which is a system used previously in New Zealand. Contact in some sports can be a big risk, but it can also be something which is beneficial for some people, and this is why it is such a popu- lar sport. The negative aspects of contact in rugby: Rugby Union is the third most popular contact sport in the world, but has one of the highest number of reported incidents of injuries amounts in all sports. In the Welsh team there were 24 serious inju- ries during the season from 2010-11. Injuries such as shoulder injuries and concus- sion are highly risky in the sport of rugby. Con- cussion happens when your head is hit and passes your skull and the spinal fluid protecting your brain from being knocked, as it is a very soft tissue. It is a high risk during contact sports, especially rugby. This also means that more money is being spent on sport related in- juries instead of more serious problems which cannot be helped. Rugby is a highly competitive sport and this can be highly pressurising, causing anxiety and panic attacks for all ages, through the pressure of winning a game, to worrying about the team and how one plays in the game. This can lead to rare but more serious cases, like suicide or depression. Positives of it being a contact sport: Increases physical health, cardio vascular con- ditioning, strength and endurance. The physical contact of the sport can release endorphins and makes people want to play more, and this is why it is such a popular sport.

And clearly if people didn't like the contact, they wouldn't play rugby. So people who don’t like the contact sport don’t need to play it, as there are plenty of options of sport, as it is a loved sport because of the rough aspect of it. Because it is such a physically demanding and tactical sport, it also decreases the risk of obe- sity. It also shows children that they can improve their performance and skills though hard work and practice. As well as this, not only do children and adults learn to protect themselves, but they also gain confidence through having that physical contact they remain throughout school. Furthermore, for children who find it hard to socialise, it can be a release and a way for them to be free do- ing a sport they love. For example, some autistic people don’t feel physical pain and it is good for them to have that sport and area of school life or in general they can exceed in. Every sport that one plays has an injury and dangerous risk, so why should rugby be the main focus sport to be banned? Overall, in my opinion tackling in school rugby shouldn't be banned, as it is good for children to learn the physical and mental state of an ath- lete and how they should push through pain in life, even though it may cause some injuries. It is still one of the most popular sports in the world.

Issue 4 | Teddies Talks Biology

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