Would you let your child/teen play rugby?

EdgarAllenPoo

My brother wants to start playing rugby, I've played before and have been thinking of taking it up again, I probably gave him the idea put let's not worry about that;)

I'm old enough and bold enough to make the decision for myself but he's still of an age(15) where he has to ask our parents and they say no because they think it's dangerous.

I prefer not to get in the middle with my own opinion (I'd end up being yelled at by someone one way or the other), what's your view?

Jonakin

If he wants to play let him play i started rugby when i was 8 im 13 now =p

damnyanks

He's less likely to get hurt now then if he started in a few yeras time. Most kids arent big enough to do any serious damage for a few years.

Nukem

Let him play rugby if he wants. Started at 11 and im now 24 and never had a serious injury. Have seen one serious serious injury in all that time. More likely to get hit by a car i reckon:eek:

Let him try out Tag or something first and get your parents to come around to the idea and also let him see if he likes it?

Sangre

Started around 11/12 myself with 11 man rugby. Tbh, I'd not only allow it, I'd probably encourage it. It would mean I might actually enjoy going to his games.

King.Penguin

Well put into some context. He wants to play rugby, does he already play soccer or Gaelic football? Has he lost interest in both/either of those sports?

Rugby is a very physical game, lots of contact, tackles, rucks, mauls, scrums etc. Also, plenty of running around. Sports like basketball and soccer and gaelic games have their fair share of injuries, cruciate ligaments, ham string tears, broken toes etc.

I think anyone that plays rugby will agree there is a certain amount of toughness it instils in you. For example, if you watch a lot of soccer and the TV and at the local club and you watch a lot of rugby on the TV and at the local club, you'll see the soccer players rolling around looking for treatment for things rugby players would just stand up and shake off.

So I think, with the territory, there is a certain risk of injury, but perhaps, not much more than other similar sports. But the advantages and benefits definitely out weigh the cons, good exercise, good team ethics, new friends, the list goes on.

U16 isn't a bad age to start training with the local club like Clontarf or whatever.

Do answer your question - In someone who I was responsible for showed an interest in rugby, I'd help them pursue that interest as much as a I can.

thebaz

Absolutly -- more chance of getting hurt in a car crash -- it will make him fit and team sport is great for teenagers -- far better than watching tv or playstation -- all positive -- everything in life is a risk -- but the enjoyment i got far outweighs any risk of injury ... even at 15 playing JCT rugby was a great buzz -- builds confidence as well !

poobum

if i have kids im going to hugely encourage sport! and i hope if i have a son he takes up rowing and rugby! im going to encourage it! it has such an affect on your life, it teachs hard wor, dedication...etc...and is highly enjoyable! and great place to make friends! sure its dangerous enough...but thats life!

besty

Sangre wrote:

Started around 11/12 myself with 11 man rugby. Tbh, I'd not only allow it, I'd probably encourage it. It would mean I might actually enjoy going to his games.

Living out the failed dreams of your own!

Seriously though, I've been playing since I was 7 or so and am still going strong 15 years later. It teaches a child alot about discipline, teamwork and not to mention keeps the little guy/girl fit and helps make friends!

crosstownk

Let him play if he wants to - I started when I was 7 years old and never once had a serious injury. Lots to be learnt about team work, etc. I've long since stopped playing, but sometimes wish I'd kept at it.

the_syco

Nukem wrote:

Let him play rugby if he wants. Started at 11 and im now 24 and never had a serious injury. Have seen one serious serious injury in all that time. More likely to get hit by a car i reckon:eek:

Never played rugby. Got hit by a car, though:eek:

damnyanks

So to conclude - do you really beleive someone would say no on this forum.

Amz

My younger brother started playing rugby in September, he had tried taking it up last year at 14, but was too small. He's now 15, is 6ft 3 and is finding it much easier to compete and play effectively, he's not even the biggest player.

I was the one who probably encouraged him to take it up, my mum wasn't happy, but I think she worries about me playing more than him, so that takes some of the pressure off him.

If I do ever have children I'll let them try any sport they want to because that's how I found out where my strengths and weaknesses are. I think if my parents had stopped me doing anything I'd have done it anyway, but for the wrong reasons.

komodosp

Is it really dangerous though? I mean I can't imagine I've ever heard of someone being really *seriously* injured in rugby (like wheel-chair bound or something), any more so than any other sport

thebaz

komodosp wrote:

Is it really dangerous though? I mean I can't imagine I've ever heard of someone being really *seriously* injured in rugby (like wheel-chair bound or something), any more so than any other sport

Injuries do occur mainly at under 18 and above , but i have heard of nothing serious at the under 16 level and below , primarily as there is more focus on safety, and the players arn't as powerfull .
My advice would be get as fit as possible, this will protect you , and don't hold back -- Peter Stringer is an example of a small player who gives it his all in the senior arena and i've never seen him hurt .

Chucky the tree

komodosp wrote:

Is it really dangerous though? I mean I can't imagine I've ever heard of someone being really *seriously* injured in rugby (like wheel-chair bound or something), any more so than any other sport

Kneck injuries would be more common in rugby then in Soccer, GAA or hurling due to the nature of rugby.

But its still a tiny risk. As people have said, its more likely to happen in a car crash.

Injuries like leg breaks, knee damage would probaly be just as common to happen in rugby as soccer, maybe even more so in soccer.

Considering most kids want to stay in a play PS2 or x-box to actually have a kid who wants to go out and get fit but have his parents stop is a joke.:rolleyes:

kenmc

Not only would I 'let', I'd actively encourage if not demand that they play rugby! When I have kids,the first present they're getting is a rugby ball!
It's the best game in te world, bar none. My only regret is that I started so late, at 11! Would love to have been able to play it at under 7s level or whatever.
That said, 2 years ago I suffered a seperated AC joint, which required surgery. I have not played since, various reasons, but am hoping to bulk up enough to get enough muscle around it to play again. I'm 30 now, so 17 years, 1 major injury, pretty decent result in my opinion...

Have read some statistic somewhere (reference escapes me sorry!) that there are less per-capita deaths or serious injurys in Rugby than in Skiing! (and a bunch of other sports)

Goodluck2me

skiing is by far the most dangerous sport ive participated in. Rugby i have played since i was U7s and played until now, and im Playing J1 after playing u20s and every group below, its a game which promotes manners and discipline, hard work, bravery and dedication. it also demands fitness and healthy living all things that younger peopel are losign focus on. he`ll thank you for it later on if your fight his corner now...

popebenny16

My two eldest (7 and 6) play tag Rugby in Primary School and the eldest is on the Thurles under 8's. It's very well controlled, they don't do anything like scrums or line outs, and they have fun, but there's still some hard tackles and the odd scrapes and cuts and that.

But one thing, even at the simpleist level its a game that the kids need to be able to understand and accept instructions from the coach in.

So its a yes from me.

peckerhead

I'm delighted my 12-year-old took it up about a year or two ago. And that he clearly didn't inherit my 'girl's blouse' gene — he's pretty damn good!

That said, he's going on to a 'rugby' school next September and I have to admit I'm kind of glad that, being of potentially Stringeresque rather than PO'C proportions, he's pretty sure to be playing in the back line and not among the forwards. I don't like the thought of him being forced to 'bulk up' to get a place on the team. I went to school with a lot of big rugby types and by forty a lot of them have turned into fat f*cks or have serious back problems...

Sangre

and if they kept up the rugby they would be grand...hurray for rugby!

shoegirl

When I taught in a boys school 10 years ago we were very careful of when and who played rugby. They were only allowed to play under the supervision of the rubgy coaches. Which is fortunate, since my brother's first and only rugby game resulted in a broken collarbone, which occasionally still bothers him 10 years down the road.

As long as he plays only under supervison and learns to play properly, there should be no issue. By the way the rules for junior games are altered to prevent the likelihood of injury (which is a good think as when I was a teenager something like 5 teenage boys per year were ending up permanently disabled as a result of schoolboy rugby).

Chucky the tree

5 per year? I call shenanigans.

Alex S.

GDM wrote:

My brother wants to start playing rugby, I've played before and have been thinking of taking it up again, I probably gave him the idea put let's not worry about that;)

I'm old enough and bold enough to make the decision for myself but he's still of an age(15) where he has to ask our parents and they say no because they think it's dangerous.

I prefer not to get in the middle with my own opinion (I'd end up being yelled at by someone one way or the other), what's your view?

Rugby is getting safer and safer. The rules like staying on your feet and scrum law changes etc. are all about safety. You won't get a serious injury at a younger age, people just aren't strong enough.
That said, if he is going to play, make sure he is fit and he is prepared to put the hits in and take them otherwise just play something like Soccer. Most injuries in Rugby at that age or beginners are because people don't know how to tackle or fall.

Snickers Man

As shoegirl says, the rules for under age players are different than they are for seniors. I have just completed the IRFU coaching course for mini rugby and the overwhelming emphasis is on safety. There are no contested scrums up till under 12 level. No lifting in line outs allowed until over 16 and the tackle is much more strictly refereed at mini rugby level.

For example, players must place the ball behind them immediately once they are tackled and are not allowed to "squeeze" it through their legs as the seniors seem to do almost without exception. The reason is safety. It's to prevent players being in a "heads down, arses up" position from which spinal or neck injuries are more likely to occur.

To answer the original question, absolutely let him play but try to ensure that he does so at a club or school where there are qualified coaches who take it seriously. That shouldn't be too hard. The Leinster branch (and I'm sure the others as well) is on a fairly insistent crusade to get as many keen dads as possible to complete the coaching course to teach kids the skills and techniques to play the game properly.

My 11 year old has been playing since he was six and has never had anything more than bumps and bruises. By contrast, my seriously sporty niece has had to temporarily curtail her athletics and hockey activities (at which she excels) because she recently fractured her ankle playing netball!!

Dangerous game that netball.

Amz

Snickers Man wrote:

To answer the original question, absolutely let him play but try to ensure that he does so at a club or school where there are qualified coaches who take it seriously. That shouldn't be too hard. The Leinster branch (and I'm sure the others as well) is on a fairly insistent crusade to get as many keen dads as possible to complete the coaching course to teach kids the skills and techniques to play the game properly.

They're looking for keen mums, or brothers and sisters too. There are a number of coaching course on around the Leinster area over the next couple of months.