Aviva Premiership 2013-2014
Discussion
It looks spectacularly bad, but no major injury was caused. I have been on the receiving end of similar attempts to rearrange my features, by a former Bristol second row, which were unseen by the ref and without the benefit of qualified touch judges and TV cameras.
At least justice will be seen to be done in this case.
Tell the parents of the under 8's not to worry Derek.
At least justice will be seen to be done in this case.
Tell the parents of the under 8's not to worry Derek.
XCP said:
Tell the parents of the under 8's not to worry Derek.
Which is what I did. I said that the days of thuggery were past and with professionalism came a different attitude. It was a minute into the match, done casually and without thought.
The image often given of the parents being ignorant of the sport and only looking for somewhere to dump their kids while they go down the pub is wrong. Most seem to see it as a respite from the 'win at all costs' attitude that is, I am told, only too evident in football at all age groups, getting worse as they get older.
Fair enough, at our club the emphasis is on enjoyment for the kids but parents look to the future for them.
Seeing or reading about that stamp just puts the game's image back and risks loosing these parents.
Derek, I'd just typed out a long reply on the lines of your above post, echoing exactly what you've said.
I coach at U7/8 level, and the hardest part of attracting kids to come and play is getting past the parents belief that rugby is a dangerous and often thuggish game ( of course it can be dangerous, but controlled coaching takes a lot of the danger out).
It's images like Woods' stamp that can put grass roots rugby back - it's bloody hard enough recruiting players as it!
I coach at U7/8 level, and the hardest part of attracting kids to come and play is getting past the parents belief that rugby is a dangerous and often thuggish game ( of course it can be dangerous, but controlled coaching takes a lot of the danger out).
It's images like Woods' stamp that can put grass roots rugby back - it's bloody hard enough recruiting players as it!
Zyp said:
Derek, I'd just typed out a long reply on the lines of your above post, echoing exactly what you've said.
I coach at U7/8 level, and the hardest part of attracting kids to come and play is getting past the parents belief that rugby is a dangerous and often thuggish game ( of course it can be dangerous, but controlled coaching takes a lot of the danger out).
It's images like Woods' stamp that can put grass roots rugby back - it's bloody hard enough recruiting players as it!
My club, together with two other local ones, make visits to schools to chat to kids about rugby. What happens (evidently: it's not something I'm involved with) is that parents often contact the club and the first question is about injuries. There are stats that show rugby is generally less dangerous than football, and the clincher is to ask them what sport in the USA has most injuries per hour 'played'.I coach at U7/8 level, and the hardest part of attracting kids to come and play is getting past the parents belief that rugby is a dangerous and often thuggish game ( of course it can be dangerous, but controlled coaching takes a lot of the danger out).
It's images like Woods' stamp that can put grass roots rugby back - it's bloody hard enough recruiting players as it!
They seem quite happy once you are honest and upfront with them, and you can always bring in the argument about what else their kids might be doing when they are 15-19 is they don't have the ethos of rugby. The drinks culture is a bit of concern, as it should be I think, but our club's takings come from supporters and not the players.
There are still those who see it as a bit of babysitting but the under 9s had over 20 new players at our club this season from the school visits and when I went to the club on Sunday the place was packed with parents.
We've got some really great coaches and the old stagers, the ones you'd think would be a bit contemptuous of modern trends, are just the opposite. Chatting to one he said that the concerns he had a few years ago about youngsters coming through given that schools had all but abandoned the sport are now abating. We've got one or two who moan a bit but they are towing the line.
It was good to see. The car park was packed, the clubhouse bulging and a World Cup venue is just five miles from the us, so with any luck we'll get some teams training on our all-weather pitch. But much of this increase in attendance is the way the sport is viewed by parents and them encouraging their kids to come.
A stamp on TV in a Premiership match, by a prop, done casually and with evident forethought, is like a kick in the balls. The only good thing is that few people would have been watching it as it was only on BT. (Now there's another argument.)
I used to be able to put a bit of speed on when I wanted to. I once scored a try early on in one match and then ran most of the pitch to feed the 15 for a second try. Our coach had to move me behind one of the pack as he knew I'd get injured for being too clever by half. But they still got me and I couldn't do my work for nearly a week after having my hand stamped on. My boss, a nice enough chap, said that I had a choice, rugby or work. He couldn't afford to subsidise my injuries. That was my last rugby match.
The good old days: good that they have gone. Shame about the stamps on Sunday.
By the way, the sport that has most injuries per hour played is cheerleading. Not to be mistaken for pom-pom girls. If you've never seen it, and have a bit of a leg fetish, it is brilliant.
I used to go out with a girl who did the calisthenics at half-time of football matches (some weeks ago now). The smell of embrocation brings it all back. Great times.
In the adult game possibly. With the children it's pretty much handbags if it occurs at all.
Bites and punches rarely threaten a players career injury-wise.
Crunching tackles and getting buried at the bottom of a pile of bodies are far more likely to do that, and to be far more painful in old age
Bites and punches rarely threaten a players career injury-wise.
Crunching tackles and getting buried at the bottom of a pile of bodies are far more likely to do that, and to be far more painful in old age
My earlier post was a bit of a mish-mash....I was trying to do it on my phone whilst waiting a minor op at hospital, so missed things off...!
Anyway, I agree that injuries are part and parcel of playing rugby - indeed my son, who isn't yet 8 years old (and is in his 4th season playing!) had a front tooth knocked out.
Unfortunately it was knocked out by me, in a training session, throwing the ball at him rather too quickly for him to catch it - with the other parents watching.
Was a good one trying to explain, that......
With regards to punching/violence in the older children or adult game - I think after parents letting their kid play tag for a few years the concern for injuries, however inflicted, seems to abate somewhat.
They tend to realise their child doesn't mind a bit of physicality and are more relaxed about it.
One thing I've heard mentioned many times by parents though, is that how they've taken their child to play soccer on a Sunday morning only to be quite disgusted at the language used by coaches, other parents and other players.
On attending a few rugby sessions they're quite surprised just how genteel it can actually be, and to date I've only really had one match I've refereed where I've had to warn a child (not one of my players) about his behaviour to the opposition.
Now, if only I can stop the little buggers diving for a try - at U7 they're not allowed, but they all seem to have been watching a certain Chris Ashton too many times..
TV certainly has an influence, hopefully not to much in the way of yesterday's incident.
Anyway, I agree that injuries are part and parcel of playing rugby - indeed my son, who isn't yet 8 years old (and is in his 4th season playing!) had a front tooth knocked out.
Unfortunately it was knocked out by me, in a training session, throwing the ball at him rather too quickly for him to catch it - with the other parents watching.
Was a good one trying to explain, that......
With regards to punching/violence in the older children or adult game - I think after parents letting their kid play tag for a few years the concern for injuries, however inflicted, seems to abate somewhat.
They tend to realise their child doesn't mind a bit of physicality and are more relaxed about it.
One thing I've heard mentioned many times by parents though, is that how they've taken their child to play soccer on a Sunday morning only to be quite disgusted at the language used by coaches, other parents and other players.
On attending a few rugby sessions they're quite surprised just how genteel it can actually be, and to date I've only really had one match I've refereed where I've had to warn a child (not one of my players) about his behaviour to the opposition.
Now, if only I can stop the little buggers diving for a try - at U7 they're not allowed, but they all seem to have been watching a certain Chris Ashton too many times..
TV certainly has an influence, hopefully not to much in the way of yesterday's incident.
Matt172 said:
Have you seen that sarries are offering a full refund to bath supporters if Gavin Henson scores on Sunday. I'd be giving him the ball for any penalties close to the posts then 
I've seen that poster on twitter but I think its a fake? Nothing on their official fb page. If it is true its pretty funy. Henson looked woeful for Bath the other day. 
Zyp said:
A time and a place for everything?This was a photo op for those who want to pose with the greats.
The time was when Cameron wanted to get photographed with a successful sporting team to boost his approval ratings. Virtually all politicians only want to know those who compete in sports when they are successful, and even then only if it doesn't cost any money.
it was funny, and showed the degree of respect required.
Brian Moore, so well known for sensible behaviour after a win.
He was a good player and a good commentator. Just doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut.
They're all the same Derek.
Remember Blair and his fawning over the Gallagher brothers during the height of their popularity (sorry, not sure if you're young enough but the Gallaghers were members of a singing pop combo called Oasis. )
I also see it as just a bit of exuberance from a young man ( and I laughed at it), and even though harmless in nature, to some it may reflect the lack of respect and indiscipline similar to what we've been discussing further up this thread!
Remember Blair and his fawning over the Gallagher brothers during the height of their popularity (sorry, not sure if you're young enough but the Gallaghers were members of a singing pop combo called Oasis.
)I also see it as just a bit of exuberance from a young man ( and I laughed at it), and even though harmless in nature, to some it may reflect the lack of respect and indiscipline similar to what we've been discussing further up this thread!
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