Coming to Border’s aid
28 May 2009
SA Rugby have sent out a task team to investigate the tragic death of a rugby player in the Border region.
Lihle Ntsepe, 24, died during an Easter rugby tournament in King William’s Town as little or no medical advice was at hand. The task team, that included Clint Redhead (SA Rugby’s medical manager), Mahlubi Puzi (SA Rugby’s Manager of Game Development), Dr Wayne Viljoen (BokSmart National Rugby Safety Programme Project Manager) and Gail Ross (Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Players’ Fund General Manager), held a workshop to ensure the tragedy isn’t repeated.
‘We identified that little, if any, medical assistance was available at the majority of matches played in the Border region,’ said Redhead. ‘In addition, almost none of the tournaments had an emergency action plan in place while very few clubs had access to basic emergency medical equipment such as spinal boards and neck collars.’
Dr Viljoen said the emphasis was on preventing such injuries in future.
‘This is the first of many of these type of workshops to ensure the game within the region becomes safer,’ said Viljoen. ’We want to develop potentially sustainable solutions, but in the meantime, if practical solutions are followed, it should have a significant impact on the management of such injuries.’
9 Comments
28 May 2009, 09:15 am
If there’s little or no rugby development in these areas, injuries and deaths will continue.
This damage-control exercise is all a little last-minute, isn’t it?
28 May 2009, 09:16 am
Oh, before I forget: Wake Up, Saru Dragons!
28 May 2009, 09:43 am
Tragic, the goings on in that region.
(Btw, what’s the difference between SARU and SA Rugby, is the latter the holding company?)
28 May 2009, 09:53 am
This is completely unacceptable.
The investigation should start with the referee because as far as I am aware, he is not allowed to start a match if basic medical facilities are not available at the match.
28 May 2009, 09:53 am
#3 Pietman, die pas-toegelate trotse Blou Bul!:
One is the amateur arm the other one the PTY
28 May 2009, 10:15 am
always reacting after the fact, never pro-active…every year we here that saru is whatever million in the black, how about spending that money where it is needed? How come nobody found it imperative to make sure that @ every tournament that is played under saru’s auspices medical equipment is there? Does andy marinos travel to dublin for meetings without having made hotel/ accommodation reservations, ibet not, so why let playersa play without proper medical facilities…they’re going to do “workshop” for a month or two and the disappear to the plush offices until another tragedy happens…
28 May 2009, 10:52 am
this is like trying to put the toothpaste back in the tube..
28 May 2009, 11:19 am
what a disgrace! The Border Union should be sued for this as they have a responcibility to ensure that standards are upheld and improved upon in their area of operation!
28 May 2009, 12:18 pm
#7 gunther: LOL, never tried that…
In my experience of club rugby, it should be the responsibility of the club as well to make sure their players are taken care of and are provided with sufficient medical care when necessary.
The club should not escape scrutiny either, neither should the organisers. But then again, the only thing they can organise in the EC is a proper piss-up.
All of you are right though, it’s a little late.
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