Coach opposes tackling ban in schools
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TEACHING the techniques of tackling safely in rugby is vital in ensuring players do not get seriously injured while playing the game, according to the sport’s development officer in Caithness.
Colin Gemmill said tackling should not be banned from school rugby and insisted education is the most sensible precaution to preventing injury.
His views come after more than 70 doctors and academics sent a letter to the UK Government calling for tackling to be banned at school level in rugby amid concerns high-risk manoeuvres could have an impact on children’s mental health in later life.
In Scotland full contact is not coached until children have started high school. Between the ages of five and eight no contact is allowed and tackling is only permitted below the waist from eight to 12 years old.
Gemmill, who works closely with youth development at primary and secondary schools in Caithness, said safety is always the priority when teaching young players the game.
He is not in support of banning contact rugby in school but is dedicated to teaching students of the game how to tackle before they are allowed to take to the field in a competitive match.
He added teaching players how to tackle safely will ensure less risk to players when they become adults.
Gemmill said: “Player welfare always has to come first. We’ve got coaches in place who are qualified to teach contact rugby in a safe environment.
“That is why it is so good to have contact at primary seven level because the build up is incredibly slow in making sure their technique is correct.
“If you’re doing your technique right it is unlikely that you will get injured as everything you’re doing is safe. The rewards you gain from contact rugby far outweigh the possible negatives.
“I think it would be a lot worse if we were not to educate them at 18 years old and put them out into a field against players twice their size and they do not know what they are doing. Teaching the technique as early as possible and as safely as possible is of great benefit.”
Player concussion has become a high-profile issue in recent years with many medical experts attributing dementia in former rugby players to high collision tackles sustained during playing days.
The sport’s governing body, World Rugby, condemned the campaign to ban tackling at UK schools, stating it is committed to ensuring all national organisations are teaching how to play the game in a safe manner.
A World Rugby statement said: “This letter, which criticises the UK Government’s drive to boost school participation in rugby, comes at a time when inactivity is reported to be responsible for more deaths than obesity and that eliminating inactivity in Europe would cut mortality rates by nearly 7.5 per cent. While the safety of children is an important part of the debate, it should not overshadow the benefits of children taking part in this team sport.
“Our number one priority is player welfare and this includes head injury prevention. As a global governing body, our responsibility is to minimise the risk in our sport and we continue to be committed to making rugby as safe and enjoyable as possible for all ages through education and promotion of correct preparation and playing techniques, prevention strategies and minimising and managing the risks associated with one of the world’s fastest-growing team sports.”
