Player dies after rugby head injury

[collybs]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-35040216

A 23-year-old rugby player with a history of concussions has died after suffering a head injury during a match. Lily Partridge collapsed by the side of the pitch after being injured at North Tawton's ground in Devon on Sunday. Her life-support machine was switched off in hospital in Exeter on Monday night, her family confirmed.
Her club said she had suffered "a couple" of concussions previously, but had taken out the recommended time from playing and had consulted a doctor. "She took a month off and was symptom free before she returned to playing," said Katie Lunnon, captain of the Topsham-based Exonian Ladies team.
The RFU is investigating the circumstances of the injury, which happened during the women's development tournament.
Ms Partridge, who was a part-time teacher and also worked at Shaldon Zoo, had played for Exonian Ladies for about 18 months. She was also the club's social secretary. Her parents Jeff and Liz, from Exeter, said: "No-one ever had a bad word to say about Lily. She was the glue that stuck everyone together. "She was stubborn and would say, 'I can do this and I can do that'. She was her own person and that is what we loved about her. "She broke down barriers. She was a brilliant star in our lives for 23 years."
They added that her organs had been donated to help other people. "Hopefully one, two, three or more people will have a better quality of life thanks to Lily," they said. Reports of concussions in rugby have doubled in five years and both the English and Scottish rugby unions have said they are trying to increase awareness of concussion.
RFU guidelines state that adult players should have at least 19 days off after suffering concussion and after being cleared by a doctor.
Topsham Rugby Club called Ms Partridge a "talented, vivacious and universally-loved founding member of Exonian Ladies rugby team", adding that members were "utterly heartbroken".
More than 150 people have sent tributes to Lily on the BBC Spotlight Facebook page.
Among them, Bud Rosewall wrote: "Very sad news from a tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the family, friends and the club at this very sad time. The Roseland RFC, Cornwall."
Naomi Gruitt wrote: "An absolute beaut of a girl and amazing friend and player."
In October 2014, a 23-year-old female rugby player died from brain injuries a month after she was injured in a tackle in a match.
Sarah Chesters, a full-back with Longton RFC, walked off the pitch and declined medical treatment. But a month on she felt sick and dizzy and died in hospital a week later.

 

[Taffy]

My local club - 5 mins drive away. Very sad. Naomi who is quted in the piece I see every week at Tag Rugby. I am reffing at Honiton tomorrow and all clubs will hold a 5 minute applause for her. I had one on Saturday and insisted he went off for a check. He came back on and was fine, but this has reminded me - alway, always check.

 

[Dixie]

I had one on Saturday and insisted he went off for a check. He came back on and was fine, but this has reminded me - alway, always check.

SO what is the current grass roots protocol? I'm guessing that there was no neurosurgeon on the touchline, so who does the check and what do they do? I can (just about) accept that a highly qualified medical professional might allow an international player back to a pro game after a professional diagnosis, but I really struggle with the idea that the part-time sponge man might make a neurological diagnosis that a ref can rely on.

 

[didds]

for england at least

www.rfu.com/headcase

in particular, here's what the RFU say for match officials wrt concussion

http://www.englandrugby.com/my-rugby/players/player-health/concussion-headcase/match-officials/

didds

 

[didds]

SRU - http://www.scottishrugby.org/sites/default/files/editor/docs/files/concussionreport_final.pdf
IRFU - http://www.irishrugby.ie/concussion
WRU - http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/development/medical/concussion.php
NZRFU - http://www.coachingtoolbox.co.nz/rugbysmart/concussion/
ARU - http://www.rugby.com.au/coaching/SmartRugby/ProgramFeatures/ARUConcussionGuidelines.aspx
SARU - http://boksmart.co.za/content/concussion

I am sure other NGB's advice is also available online

didds

 

[beckett50]

I read this story with a heavy heart, as this is the 2nd case this season I believe. However tragic though this case is, it shows that all types of person can play our beautiful game - female and male.

I hope that the "powers that be" and coroner do not insist on some swingeing requirements that will be mandatory at all levels of the game, such a qualified medic at all matches. This would be hard to accomplish, to say nothing of expense that would have to borne by the hard pressed clubs.

 

[didds]

I read this story with a heavy heart, as this is the 2nd case this season I believe. However tragic though this case is, it shows that all types of person can play our beautiful game - female and male.

I hope that the "powers that be" and coroner do not insist on some swingeing requirements that will be mandatory at all levels of the game, such a qualified medic at all matches. This would be hard to accomplish, to say nothing of expense that would have to borne by the hard pressed clubs.

one would presume then they would also have to insist on similar measures being taken in amateur horse racing?

didds

 

[didds]

pcoket concussion recognition tool
http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/47/5/267.full.pdf

 

[Ian_Cook]

one would presume then they would also have to insist on similar measures being taken in amateur horse racing?

didds

I cannot speak for England or anywhere else but in New Zealand, in ANY One Day Event, whether it be an ENZ (equivalent to the BHS in UK) Event from one-star to four-star, or even just a Pony Club event, an ambulance and a paramedic MUST be present, and if the event has a height of 1.05m or over in the Cross Country phase, a doctor must also be present.