Over 70 health experts and doctors called for the ban of tackling in rugby games in UK schools. The group issued an open letter detailing the increased risks of serious injuries minors can get while playing rugby.
In the letter, the experts advised schools to employ non-contact or touch versions of rugby to avoid injuries amongst underage students.
The letter referred to rugby as a "high-impact collision sport." Most of rugby-related injuries happen during collision or contact such as the scrum and tackle, the expert explained. Injuries include dislocated shoulders, fractures, spinal and head injuries and ligamentous tears.
Experts highlighted in the letter that these injuries can result in short- and long-term consequences for the under-18s. Some cases can also be life-ending. The letter was addressed to ministers, children's commissioners and chief medical officers in the UK.
The experts also criticized the government's initiative that fosters rugby participation in English institutions by connecting them with popular rugby clubs. Experts highlighted the United Nation's advisory on children's rights that obliges governments to ensure children are well informed about the high injury risks.
The open letter is part of a larger campaign that will have a petition on the government's website. Upon receipt of 100,000 signatures, the issue will be considered for debate by MPs.
In majority of boys' schools in UK, especially in the independent sector, rugby is required in the physical education curriculum starting age 11. According to the health experts, recurring concussions are linked to cognitive damage, memory loss, depression and reduced verbal capacity.
"School children should not be forced to collide with other children as part of the national curriculum for physical education. A more sensible approach is to play tag rugby," said one of the signatories, University of Winchester's Professor Eric Anderson who teaches sport, masculinities and sexualities.
Anderson emphasized that the signatories don't have a problem with the sport per se, rather, the sport-related collisions.
"Rugby is a high-impact collision sport and given that children are more susceptible to injuries such as concussion, the absence of injury surveillance systems and primary prevention strategies is worrying," added Queen Mary University of London's Professor Allyson Pollock who also signed the letter.
