The RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) played a key role in the recent World Rugby Medical Commission Conference in Lisbon.
The Conference, which is held annually, provides an opportunity to share knowledge on improving player welfare, World Rugby’s number one priority. This year Chief Medical Officers from rugby’s national governing bodies, global leading academics and player representatives were also joined by colleagues from the NFL, football and rugby league.
IPF Director, Karen Hood presented to the medical commission on the existence and work of the various catastrophically injured players charities from across the game as well as the wide-ranging support, expertise and experience that they can provide to the unions in the rare event of a catastrophic injury within their territory. She also spoke about the work they do to manage the reputation of the sport and promoting the overwhelming benefits that come with being part of the rugby family.
She commented: “Player welfare is the main priority within rugby and everything we are working towards centralises that focus. I was really pleased to be able to share the great work that my team does at the IPF with the unions and other charities – sharing knowledge means ensuring all of our players are able to live the life they wish to lead, regardless of geography.
“The catastrophically injured players charities group provides us with the forum to share our experiences and expertise and to have had the opportunity to establish our strategic direction means we are all focused in the same direction and able to provide improved support for all injured players. We’ll continue to collaborate and work together outside of the annual conferences to make sure all of our players are provided with the best support possible.”
Alongside the conference, the newly-formed injured players charities sub-committee set out their strategic direction, identifying their aims over the coming 12 months. The group, which comprises the charities from a number of the Unions who support catastrophically-injured players, was established a year ago and has been working collaboratively to share expertise and knowledge on the best ways to approach and support these players.
The strategic direction that the group will deliver includes:
- Injury recording: providing World Rugby with insight and information to encourage the reporting of catastrophic injuries globally.
- Insurance provision: submitting a summary of the global insurance provision to World Rugby in order that National Governing Bodies (NGBs) can understand the needs of injured rugby players and the best practice approaches to meet gaps in provision.
- Support for other unions: preparing a short, accessible resource to help those unions currently without a charity dedicated to this support, with the necessary and relevant information, so that they are able to respond to a potential catastrophic injury.
- Research: the coordination of charity-funded research projects and charity-led strategies, alongside the World Rugby scientific committee, to ensure alignment and awareness of the different work areas globally and to provide access to relevant expertise.
With the IPF encouraging all injured charities to now work together in a more formalised capacity, rugby continues to lead the way in sport by putting player welfare firmly front and centre.
To watch recordings from the World Rugby Medical Commission Conference, please click on the links below:
