Protection for players

Press, 12 June 1984, Page 12

Protection for players

Sir,-On a visit to your city I was walking through Hagley Park on a Saturday and spent the afternoon watching some entertaining rugby. The Canterbury Rugby Union has some up-and-coming young players. One thing that horrified and amazed me was that not one of the many goal-posts had pads or protection of any kind. With so much news on rugby injuries and how to prevent them, also the attention focused on South Island rugby in Canterbury, surely this important aspect of rugby should not be overlooked. — Yours, etc., R. J. LEGGETT, Invercargill. May 27, 1984. [Mr D. J. Cunningham, secretary of the Canterbury Rugby Football Union, replies: “Hagley Park, although used by the Canter-

bury Rugby Union, is hired from the Christchurch City Council and as such is patrolled by their rangers. Unfortunately, we suffer continuing vandalism to posts and gear at the park. Consequently, it would be a colossal job to provide protective gear on each post. Fortunately, through co-operation and common sense, the referees quickly act to avoid any dangerous play near the posts, e.g., by not putting scrums down directly next to them or in line. We agree with your correspondent that prevention of injuries is a major platform of the Canterbury union and, to this extent, your correspondent will be aware that on all grounds directly owned by us, protective padding is placed on grounds. We trust that your correspondent will appreciate the high degree of vandalism that public parks are subject to, and at certain times during the year, rugby receives more than its fair share of attention by vandals.”]