Study Labels Children's Rugby as Child Abuse, Sparks Debate

A controversial study claims that allowing children to play rugby constitutes child abuse due to the risk of brain injuries, igniting discussions on sports safety and consent.

A new study by academics from the universities of Winchester, Nottingham Trent, and Bournemouth argues that children playing rugby in schools is akin to child abuse, citing the risk of serious brain injuries.
The study suggests that neither children nor their parents can legally give informed consent for participation in such high-impact sports, challenging the cultural acceptance of contact sports for minors.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) defends the sport, emphasizing player welfare as a top priority and highlighting the physical and mental health benefits of playing rugby.
Researchers call for restricting contact in sports like rugby until adulthood, pointing to the long-term consequences of head impacts, including early onset dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The debate raises questions about the balance between the benefits of team sports and the need to protect children from potential harm, with suggestions for non-contact versions of rugby.