Rugby in schools is form of child abuse'

Head injuries could harm kids for life, say experts

- Emily Braeger

SCHOOL rugby is like child abuse and under18s should be banned from playing, a group of academics claim.

They say the risk of youngsters suffering brain injuries from the sport goes against child mistreatment laws.

A study by Winchester, Nottingham Trent, and Bournemouth universities found schools with rugby on their curriculum had not sought consent from children who could suffer injuries later in life professor Sport Eric Anderson, of Winchester University, who led the study, said: "Sports for children should not intentionally harm their brains.

"They should focus on fun, health, and social development, rather than conditioning them to play elite-level sport.

"These collisions cause cognitive harm and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia; they are therefore abusive to a child's brain.