RUGBY RISK & SAFETY
The Texas Rugby Union is grateful to the East Pen Rugby Union for addressing this aspect of the rugby game and we have used their comments and recommendations as the basis of this section on safety and risk
This section addresses safety and it is about how how to lessen the chances of players getting injured. The material addresses the ways to manage the risks of playing rugby. It reflects the current needs of the sport by providing important suggestions and recommendations, as well as established policies by USA Rugby and the International Rugby Board, in an attempt to make rugby safer for all involved. In addition, the applicable contents of the previously issued East Pen Rugby Union document “Safety Precaution Recommendations” are linked into this section.
This section is also about another kind of safety – safety from legal entanglements for the coach and administration. The litigation explosion in America has not skipped the world of athletics. The EPRU’s Safety/Risk Management officer is Dr. Richard Borkowski, who has has prepared a series of articles which are a kind of defensive game plan to lower the chance of injury to players and litigation problems for coaches. That is a “win-win” situation. The key to good risk management is preparation, fore-seeability and vigilance. Understanding and applying the simple safety strategies in this section is most important. It is your coaching duty.
Risk Management and Rugby Football
a series of articles by Dr. Dick Borkowski
Richard P. Borkowski, EdD, CAA, is a sport safety consultant based in Narberth, Pa. The former Director of Physical Education and Athletics at the Episcopal Academy in Merion, Pa., his second book is titled “The School Sports Safety Handbook”, published by LRP Publications, in Horsham, Pa. His third book, “The Athletic Administrator’s Scheduling Book,” was published in March, 2001. It is a book for people who have the duty to schedule games, refs, buses and organize athletic contests.
Rugby Safety
- A Rugby Safety Checklist
- Example Warning Form
- Communicable Disease Procedure
- If an Injury Happens on the Pitch
- The Daily Dozen, A quick safety “Check it out” list’
The Legal Duties of a Coach
- The Legal Duties of a Coach: Part 1
- The Duty to Offer Appropriate Instruction
- The Duty To Properly Condition
- Legal Duties – Post Care
- The Duty to Warn and Inform
- Supervision and the Rugby Coach
- Hazard Management – It’s Part of Rugby Coaching
- Additional Safety Information
Fitness & Nutrition Articles:
“Fitness Suggestions for Rugby”
“Nutrition Tips and Suggestions”
by Dr. Kevin Tipton, U of Texas
AORFA’s articles on medical & safety topics:
“Cervical Spine Injuries, Concussions, Fluid & Dehydration, Cuts & Abrasions, Thigh Contusions, Knee Injuries: The Menisci, Shoulder Injuries, Hand Injuries: Fractures, Hand Injuries: Dislocation & Ligament & Tendon Injuries.
Other Safety Articles:
The Need for a Certified Athletic Trainer