Rugby club and help needed?

Question

I'm trying to persuade my dad who's a Doctor to let me play. Watch it all the time and have played. Does anyone have any statistics that will work in my favor. Also do you have any ways for me to persuade him? Thanks.

Answer 1

Your dad is right to be worried, and it's not just because he's a doctor, although that is definitely part of it. He must of seen some horrific rugby injuries (I have and I only coach up to 18) and he's your dad. No parent wants their kid to be hurt, but on the other hand we don't want to wrap you up in cotton wool either.

Find a reputable club, with reputable coach's and you should be fine. You need to be playing with your age group so the guys you play with will all be around about the same height, weight and bulk.

Watching a game and playing a game are two completely different things. It's different being in a scrum to watching one, it's scary enough trying to ref one, I can't imagine what it must be like inside there and ruck's are just as bad.

You don't say whether you want to play league or union, look into them and then make a decision for yourself, both have upsides and downsides.

Your dad is right to be worried. I'm sure you've heard about Matt Hampson. Matt Hampson is known all over the country as the inspirational figure who has given hope to people going through a rough period in their lives, the guy who got injured but wouldn’t take it lying down.

Just over two years ago he was an emerging talent in the world of rugby, recognized by the respected as having the capability to go all the way. Matt had grown up in Rutland and was a typical boy – always dirty, always getting into trouble, always way too much energy for his own good. His mother Anne and father Phil were always there to support him, to help him on his way and always full of encouragement.



Matt attended King Edward 7th in Melton Mowbray and excelled in PE and in particular rugby. Enjoying the sport so much, he joined Syston Rugby club and was part of the team that achieved winning the Sanyo Cup national tournament at Twickenham, a team that also had a 5-season championship winning streak.

Tigers Academy soon took note of Matt and he was selected to join them at the Under 16 level. He then went to QE college in Leicester where he balanced college with training full time with the academy and quickly established himself as prop forward who was capable of holding his own in 1st team training - with the likes of British Lion Graham Rowntree, World Cup winner Julian White and England prop Darren Garforth at the club this was no mean feat.

Off the pitch Matt liked nothing more than relaxing with his mates, whether at the cinema or out on a Saturday night with the boys.

Matt was progressing nicely through the junior England levels notching up England U18 schools and England Under 19 caps. As the England U21 management were to announce the squad it was almost inevitable that he would make the grade. Make the grade he did and his performances impressed Nigel Redman and Jim Mallinder and lead to him being the number one prop in the team.

Then came the moment that changed his life. “He (Matt Hampson) remembers the call and he remembers the shove and he remembers the scrum collapsing, just as it had many times before. He remembers going down and his feet being lifted off the ground and feeling suddenly unable to breathe as his friends piled on top of him.” (The Times March 12th 2006). Matt suffered a dislocation in his neck which had trapped his spinal cord. It has left him paralyzed from the neck down and more determined than ever from the neck up. It is Matt’s spirit and bravery that has earned him such recognition and has pulled together the rugby world who want to take care of one of their own.

He was looked after by the wonderful team at Stoke Mandeville hospital who, after just over a year of care, ensured he was well enough to return home. Matt too has met some inspiring individuals on his journey back to normality such as Paul Tiana and Jonah Lomu. He returned home in june this year and is currently enjoying life in his re-renovated barn.

Matt is currently taking on different roles as he tries to regain his independence. He is now writing a column for the Leicester Mercury’s Sporting Green, helps out with coaching at Oakham rugby club and he hopes to one day contribute heavily to spinal research.

Without question, Matt is an incredible young man. He is an Inspiration and motivation to everyone who knows his story. It seems like nothing is too big a challenge for Hambo and with his determination and a little luck, the world really is still very much at his feet.

That is the sort of thing your dad is worried about, and it happens, injuries can be less worse than that, but their still injuries and they can still do serious and permanent damage, your dad is just being a dad.

If you really really want to get into rugby then I suggest first off you look at tigers training days, you train with professional coach's and they are aged 8 - 18 so you'll be with your own age group. They're a bit expensive, but well worth it if you can afford it.

Here's the link: http://www.tigers.co.uk/34_17.php

M

Answer 2

not sure what statistics you are after. if its to do with injuries then it will just give your dad ammunition. if its popularity then it will always come behind soccor globably  if its for enjoyment well how can you go wrong as any physical activity must help the obesity problem the world faces. Your dad shouldnt be able to dictate what sport you play