News

Rugby Players Ireland & IRFU Produce Online Concussion Training For Players

Rugby Players Ireland and the IRFU have joined forces to develop an on-line training course for Ireland’s professional rugby players. The course, in video format, is compulsory and designed to educate our members on the importance of concussion awareness and inform them of the medical science informing concussion protocols.
Player welfare is Rugby Players Ireland’s absolute priority. We recognises that the implementation of concussion protocols are helping to identify and manage suspected incidents of concussion but firmly believe that it is the practical implementation of these protocols is key to player safety. Here at the Players’ Association we feel that there needs to be real buy in from the players and their support staff to ensure the protocols are implemented in full.
As part of the video John Fogarty, who played with Munster, Leinster, Connacht & Ireland, details his own personal experience of dealing with the effects of concussion. Paul O’Connell also features explaining the workings of the Graduated Return to Play Protocols.
Rugby Players Ireland is delighted to be working with the IRFU and other key stakeholders in rugby in leading a real cultural shift amongst professional players, coaches and medical personnel in relation to peer pressure to play.
Concussion remains a big issue for all contact sports. IRUPA will continue to fight for improvements in player safety. Rugby Players Ireland CEO Omar Hassanein said
“There has been a marked shift in the attitude towards concussion in professional rugby. Whilst we have come a long way in the past few years there is further progress to be made. Our players rely on the proper implementation of the protocols and must also take personal responsibility to protect their health and well-being.”