Tackling ban at high school level?

Editor

A call to ban tackling at high school level has been issued in the form of a letter written to the British government from a group of UK medical professionals.

These concerns are based on the repercussions that is associated with injuries that stem from dangerous tackling.

"The majority of all injuries occur during contact or collision, such as the tackle and the scrum," the letter stated, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report.

"These injuries which include fractures, ligamentous tears, dislocated shoulders, spinal injuries and head injuries can have short-term, life-long, and life-ending consequences for children."

The former head of the Australian Medical Association, professor Kerryn Phelps has come out in support that contact in sport should not be banned completely, but that authorities should look at evidence on injuries to junior players objectively.

"I think there shouldn't be a knee-jerk reaction to what's being proposed in the UK," said Phelps.

"They're basically saying it should be touch football, but my daughter plays touch and I've seen broken arms and ankles in her team. I don't stop her playing because of it."

Phelps has not veered away from the dangers around the contact situation.

"If you play sport, every so often you'll get a sports injury," she added.

"You just have to accept that there will be the risk of injury if you are involved."

Phelps also highlighted that should tackling be banned at this level, children will find it challenging to transition to senior rugby.

"There is so much to be gained by being involved in particularly team sports as a young person that I wouldn't like to think that parents would remove their children from something that is so beneficial for the risk of a possible injury."