Rugby man defends first aid effort

Press, 29 January 1986, Page 64

Rugby man defends first aid effort

PA Dunedin The effort of rugby clubs to support first aid campaigns has been defended by a New Zealand Rugby Union councillor, John Dowling, who is also the Otago union’s chairman.

He was replying to criticism of rugby clubs by Ken Treanor, director of training for St John Ambulance in Wellington.

Mr Treanor said rugby clubs were least interested in accepting responsibility for first aid. He was speaking on a new

campaign by St John and the Accident Compensation Corporation to get sports clubs seriously involved in first aid. “His statement is contrary to that made by Dr Hugh Burry, the medical controller of the A.C.C., that rugby alone appeared to be taking the matter seriously,’’ Mr Dowling said. “The Otago union has indicated total support for the efforts of the A.C.C.” He said his union had “a close working liaison with the A.C.C. and St John Ambulance.” At a recent meeting, the

management committee of the Otago union decided to write to clubs in Otago and ask them to support the scheme proposed by the A.C.C. and St John. A St John Ambulance Association report last month said sports injuries in Dunedin had declined significantly during 1985, he said, and it was mainly the result of fewer rugby injuries. "This is significant because in 1985 more games of rugby were played by more players in the province than ever before,” Mr Dowling said.