Rugby league is a form of “child abuse” study claims

According to a new study, rugby being played in schools – both league and union – is a form of child abuse as revealed by the Telegraph.

According to those at Winchester, Nottingham Trent and Bournemouth universities, The risk of serious injury carried by high-impact sports is contrary to child abuse laws.

They also claimed that neither children nor their parents are legally able to give informed consent to take part. Furthermore, they argue that sporting organisations have effectively groomed both groups into accepting brain injuries caused by the sports.

The paper is set to be published in Sports, Ethics & Philosophy: Journal of the British Philosophy of Sport Association.

However, it has now been seen in advance and reports claim it “draws a distinction between sports that are designed to involve physical impact and those that may result in injuries by accident.

“Its recommendations, which only apply to children, not adults, cite the view that “knocks to the head” can contribute to brain damage which can in turn lead to conditions such as dementia or Parkinson’s.

“The paper also argues that those who begin playing rugby as children are more likely to risk brain trauma than those who start later in life.”

Professor claims rugby is “abusive to a child’s brain”

A professor of sport at the University of Winchester who led the study, Eric Anderson, told the Times: “Sports for children should not intentionally harm their brains. They should focus on fun, health and social development rather than conditioning them to play elite-level sport.

“These collisions cause cognitive harm and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia; they are therefore abusive to a child’s brain. Cultural perception is that striking a child outside sport is abuse but striking a child in sport is somehow socially acceptable. We are trying to change that. It doesn’t matter what the social context is, the brain is damaged in both.”

This all comes at a time when the sport is facing a lawsuit from former players such as Nick Fozzard. Furthermore, there are reports that former Leeds Rhinos captain Stevie Ward is taking action against the club after his career ending head injuries.