Why Schools Need Rugby More Than Ever

It was inevitable. In a culture so risk averse, it is perhaps only surprising that it took so long for Rugby to come under attack from the safety politburo. Recent publicity has highlighted the danger of the game to children, frequency of injury (claimed to be 18%), risk of concussion and catastrophic injury. The impact of this will continue to be felt in schools, and compulsory rugby will come further under attack.

 What is the answer? Fewer schools will maintain their appetite to challenge parental demand, and more "exceptions" will be made to the previously inviolate requirement for all pupils to experience the game. It is inevitable that compulsory rugby will disappear, after a primacy of position in British schools which has gone relatively unchallenged for nearly 150 years.

 Probably, contact rugby should not be compulsory. And, clearly, many schools have hidden some pretty shabby provision behind the wall of compulsion - especially for the less able players - for more than a century. Many middle aged men recall an unattractive experience of the game in school: on wet, windswept fields at the hands of sadistic bullies who seemed to feel that unpleasantness and pain were an essential educational experience. The game never did appeal to everyone, and the way it was often presented did little to widen its appeal. Until relatively recently, the disenfranchised felt it necessary to suffer in silence.

 The risk lobby has mobilised itself more effectively than its benefit counterpart. The game has responded with evidence-based mechanisms for promoting player welfare, which are laudable. However, the risk will never be reduced to zero. Everyone who ever played the game understood that there is risk attached. And most conducted their own, unconscious analysis in which the benefits appeared to outweigh the risks. But the game has never been very good at articulating its positive impacts. This is the challenge it now faces.

 What can rugby contribute ? Why is it so valuable that it still commands a significant place in the programmes of so many schools? In the highest performing schools, pupils can spend more time in a week than professional teams on on-field practice! At its best, rugby can offer unique developmental experiences. The challenge of facing apprehension, and the fundamental human satisfaction of overcoming this and feeling better equipped to face future adversity. The development of self control, which science identifies as a transferable quality, which is a predictor of wider success in life. The demand for selflessness in promoting team goals. Exquisite moments of magic remembered for a lifetime. A deftly timed pass, an evasive run, a line breaking offload. The satisfaction of playing a part - however small - in a team triumph. Uniquely connecting with team mates through the ups and downs of mutual endeavour. The satisfaction of shared physical exhaustion. These attractions have stood the test of time. 

 The benefits of Rugby are not ability dependent. They are not confined to the strong, the fast and the skilful, but are potentially available to all children, regardless of size, ability or confidence. That is the justification for all pupils to take part in a form of the game, and for most to experience the contact version. Overcoming apprehension is a character forming experience. In the sedentary, carefully protected world of Twenty First Century children, these opportunities are rare. And therefore more valuable.

 However, these are only potential benefits. Without carefully thought out delivery, it is possible that the game can be an experience of valueless discomfort. Popular pressure to justify the place of the game in schools may be inconvenient, but may not be a bad thing, ultimately. School websites routinely refer to rugby programmes and their organisational details. Rarely do they present a rationale for their existence. The game needs to do more to promote its possibilities, especially its capacity for personal development.  And even more to ensure that these are consistently delivered.

 The benefits that Rugby can potentially provide have never been more important to children. Schools have the opportunity to revise, refine and redefine the delivery and objectives of their programmes. The game could bring enjoyment, satisfaction and character enhancement to future generations of children. Or schools can do the easy thing. And make it optional.