tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post8152497337744925412..comments2023-10-30T00:51:36.361-11:00Comments on Diary of a Desperate Exmoor Woman: Should children play rugby?Exmoorjanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09230395732150659356noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-46804773614901016312012-09-18T04:17:30.000-11:002012-09-18T04:17:30.000-11:00I have a 15 year old who plays for school and club...I have a 15 year old who plays for school and club rugby. He is absolutely mad about it! He has played since he was eleven and as the years have progressed the matches have got faster and more furious and the tackles a lot harder. Of course I worry he will get hurt but all mothers at the club have the same fears and I really couldn't stop him playing because it keeps him fit and strong and learns lots of things like respect and discipline and team work! All sports have risks, life has risks, children who sit around not playing sports risk damaging their health so I think weighing it all up the benefits outweigh it all. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-80662994508343488922011-07-07T00:17:46.708-11:002011-07-07T00:17:46.708-11:00I adored watching our boys play rugby and was ofte...I adored watching our boys play rugby and was often to be seen running up and down the touchline screeching like a banshee – I’m sure that’s what helped them win all their matches!<br />There was never a prouder mum when my son won the try scoring record year after year. The skill of a good team is amazing to watch and in their day, the First XV were never beaten except at Rosslyn Park National 7’s tournament.<br />I much preferred watching rugby to football, but admit to always having worried at the same time so know how you feel as a mother.<br />My son bit through his tongue in one match and although very nasty he kept p[laying till the end. He boasts about it like an old war wound these daysLorrainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03602862078387251621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-12057180869390583222011-07-07T00:13:02.654-11:002011-07-07T00:13:02.654-11:00My son was told he wasn't allowed to play Rugb...My son was told he wasn't allowed to play Rugby ( medically not wise, he only has one kidney ) He played football,cricket, basketball,tennis some at county level and also football for Bristol, he always begged to play Rugby and at the age of 17 he played for his school twice without my knowledge and on both occasions won man of the match, I don't believe he's played since but has spent 3 season skiing and ski jumping , I have spent its seems years in and out of casualty units in the Uk and in Europe,Boys will be Boys and if they have a need for adrenalin there will be no stopping them even when they are men.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10624767707167052328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-19553252686232716322010-10-16T08:16:03.138-11:002010-10-16T08:16:03.138-11:00Guess what - after my rant above - my son came hom...Guess what - after my rant above - my son came home early from school on Friday.<br /><br />Broken collarbone from a rugby tackle.<br /><br />Nuff said.The bike shedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05195882998271591934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-60366511064363092352010-10-08T10:22:08.871-11:002010-10-08T10:22:08.871-11:00In almost any other context, rugby would be unjust...In almost any other context, rugby would be unjustified. The injury count is ridiculous- I read somewhere that 40% of players in the five nations will sustain an injury - and that is top level, properly regulated play. At lower levels it is poorly supervised, aggressive with a tendency to violence. It is interesting that very few players continue beyond early thirties - not like, say, running or cycling or climbing..<br /><br />Of course there are loads of middle class self -justifying cliches to defend it, but they don't really stand scrutiny. <br /><br />I remember our games teacher saying that rugby players got out their aggression out on the pitch and not off it (as if that somehow justified it!)<br /><br />Perversely I am not against dangerous sports as such - I have kayaked huge rivers in Nepal and climbed many extreme rock routes. But the point here is that the risk is controlled and the choices largely your own. You are not prey to some idiot oaf taking it on themselves to collapse a scrum or gouge your face.<br /><br />Compare our attitude to rugby to those adds on the TV about work related accidents. Have you had a trip or fall recently? You could claim compensation. Call ....<br /><br />If schools had the same liability there is no way it would be compulsory.<br /><br />Rant over.The bike shedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05195882998271591934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-81326183348533685452010-10-05T06:53:05.861-11:002010-10-05T06:53:05.861-11:00Diney: yup, I wonder if James will keep up his in...Diney: yup, I wonder if James will keep up his interest for so long. I suspect he will - though his other love is cricket.<br /><br />Snippet: aaaghhh, no (shoves hands over ears)... But yes, totally agree - love that there is no need for segregation in rugby..and no banning of alcohol either...just seems more sportsmanlike somehow.<br /><br />Optimistic: funny, isn't it? I often wonder how i produced such a sporty son when I barely have a sporty bone in my body (squash is about it as far as I'm concerned). I'm glad he does get the exercise and the bonding that being in a team gives.Exmoorjanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09230395732150659356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-5270217872689972292010-10-05T06:12:10.347-11:002010-10-05T06:12:10.347-11:00Neither of my two boys are particularly sporty des...Neither of my two boys are particularly sporty despite the fact that both of us were very sporty and competitive when young. They both love skateboarding though. I wish they did more physical sport.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11590219307373743016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-85971856142090160902010-10-05T02:15:59.108-11:002010-10-05T02:15:59.108-11:00Rugby is completely different to football,I mean c...Rugby is completely different to football,I mean can you imagine supporters not being segregated in football?<br />I suppose as with everything you have to not be too overly protective.Having said that,the injuries that are possible in rugby are far more serious than you would be likely to sustain playing football.<br />Also rugby is such an impact sport that most players do have problems later in life.<br />I used to work in pro rugby and remember a couple of horrendous accidents.One a local lad paralysed,scrum collapsed.<br />Sorry, I'm sure you knew all that not trying to put you off.My sons played at school too!Northern Snippethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07207173438875166390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-29287206954084803912010-10-05T00:27:49.471-11:002010-10-05T00:27:49.471-11:00My son started rugby at 7 and is still playing occ...My son started rugby at 7 and is still playing occasionally now at 28, though he stopped his twice weekly training just before he married (sensible!). I used to wince and cover my eyes, but if was a game that defined him somehow, and he adored it. As you say, alien species!! It also kept him very fit, and gave his life a structure (Match on Saturday, Training younger ones on Sunday (when he was 18), training twice a week...).dineyhttp://oldermumsarefun.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-6290546224607399662010-10-04T21:56:11.663-11:002010-10-04T21:56:11.663-11:00Bear: ice-hockey would probably be my greatest nig...Bear: ice-hockey would probably be my greatest nightmare - hockey AND ice!!!<br /><br />Posie: interesting. I was talking to a dad at school recently about this and he was saying that somewhere (could have been NZ come to think of it) children played according to size, rather than age...and that it cut down injuries immensely. Does make sense.Exmoorjanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09230395732150659356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-47906553847063878542010-10-04T21:49:06.800-11:002010-10-04T21:49:06.800-11:00The Scottish rugby union made a ruling something ...The Scottish rugby union made a ruling something about matching age and size to rugby games, so grown adults can't play teenagers, and this has led to a reduction in the accidents, in particular the neck injuries that were occurring. I am not completely sure what the rule is, but did read that so far it has seemed to have made a difference. We have a fab beach rugby tournament here each year, sponsored by the distilleries. It is becoming really popular. My son is in the football club though, he is footie mad just now, phew, like you I am a tigress around my children, although instead of being beady eyed on the pitch I tend to have to not look...eldest is into horse riding and show jumping....Posiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12844732200803572416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-87031750179645580502010-10-04T18:08:10.487-11:002010-10-04T18:08:10.487-11:00We're not quite so "into" rugby here...We're not quite so "into" rugby here in the colony. But I did get to play when I was in University. <br /><br />Had we been able to do that in high school, I would have been into it faster than you could blink. <br /><br />It can be "brutal and downright dangerous," particularly if not officiated properly. But if you know the rules and stay within them (or are made to stay within them), it's good. Fast. Exciting.<br /><br />Actually, though, I preferred ice hockey. But what would you expect of someone living in Canada, eh?Rob-bearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00171692478879522588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-64639681112844218422010-10-04T10:08:27.118-11:002010-10-04T10:08:27.118-11:00Legend: yup, my son plays for school AND club - s...Legend: yup, my son plays for school AND club - so that's every day of the week at the moment! :)Exmoorjanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09230395732150659356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-42738592822372390242010-10-04T07:11:30.128-11:002010-10-04T07:11:30.128-11:00I went to a school that only played Rugby and love...I went to a school that only played Rugby and loved it. I would play for the school on Saturday morning, then for the local club in the afternoon. I had ny fair share of injuries, but non as bad as falling out of trees or crashing bikes over railings.Wally Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05992375461165449990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-41890784097625036472010-10-04T06:01:52.596-11:002010-10-04T06:01:52.596-11:00Sheena: oh go ON.....must hear that story. I kno...Sheena: oh go ON.....must hear that story. I know, I know, shouldn't tar all footies with the same brush...just that many of those I did meet made me just horrified.<br /><br />Oonagh: now hockey can be vicious too. I was banned for concussing two girls!<br /><br />Judy: oh, you and me both....just LOATHED hockey. So so much. *shudder* It's a tough one re sport at school. I think all the boys at James' school have to play rugby but the ones who really loathe it do the bare minimum and avoid the matches. In the junior school, a few of them used to do tennis instead. <br />I would have traded all my pocket money not to have endured gym!Exmoorjanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09230395732150659356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-46670175518986049192010-10-04T05:57:08.095-11:002010-10-04T05:57:08.095-11:00I think rugby is horribly dangerous but many child...I think rugby is horribly dangerous but many children love to do dangerous things so they might as well do them under sports supervision.<br /><br />What I'd hate is for any child of mine to be at a school where it was compulsory to do rugby. If they loathed it, dreaded it, were terrified to be at the bottom of the ruck then they really shouldn't have to.<br /> <br />(Long ago but still awful memories of hated hockey here..*shudder*)Judy Astleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-91738030849328231722010-10-04T05:44:24.950-11:002010-10-04T05:44:24.950-11:00One reason I always thanked God that I never had s...One reason I always thanked God that I never had sons was the fact that Rugby is a dangerous game, and your description of the beady eyes Mum would have been apt as a description of me...it was bad enough two girls playing hockey!Irish Eyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14042737813267994620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-28666225870501481282010-10-04T05:01:22.233-11:002010-10-04T05:01:22.233-11:00Ah , I see, yes, Hubby played five a side for a fo...Ah , I see, yes, Hubby played five a side for a football club years and it's really violent.<br />Hmmm in that case we must ourselves this. Football related violence is more to do with working class men finding a place in society. There's some really good stuff done by Leicester Uni on football sociology- fascinating really- have a few essays myself.<br />Funnily enough, I live just across a field from Moseley rugby club and as we came home on Sat, I thought it might be quite fun to go. <br />And as for the posh thing , I have a hilarious stry about a date with a rugby player, but I am not posting it here! LOL!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-46676583986359920662010-10-04T04:46:27.777-11:002010-10-04T04:46:27.777-11:00Tara: aha, great minds think alike... Tag is so ...Tara: aha, great minds think alike... Tag is so sweet... Off to read yours now.<br /><br />Sheena: I think it's different in school sports from clubs. James used to play football at a local club and I grew to loathe the matches - mainly because the parents were, frankly, maniacal. One parent screamed at his son for letting in goals. They were like a baying mob. Dunno, different somehow. At rugby you clap when the other side gets a try or conversion or applaud good play, whoever is doing it. But, basically, the more sport children play, the better (though I wouldn't have argued that when I was at school!)Exmoorjanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09230395732150659356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-57226638606049298772010-10-04T04:36:36.521-11:002010-10-04T04:36:36.521-11:00I have worked in about 50 schools and nearly all o...I have worked in about 50 schools and nearly all of them play rugby as well as football. Boys who are in football teams are often well behaved- they can't play up else they'd be chucked out!<br />The problem is inclusion - even if every school had a rugby team, not all boys would be able to join it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4677133322409652783.post-65027365070987792010-10-04T04:36:10.902-11:002010-10-04T04:36:10.902-11:00So funny. I've just posted about this very sub...So funny. I've just posted about this very subject too, although my son is only 7 and not yet onto contact rugby.<br />My husband was a rugby player all his life. He adored it. Loved the team spirit, being that fit. But yes, he had some quite awful injuries and now gets his fix by coachingTarahttp://www.stickyfingers1.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com