Our VIPs 

118 VIP on record, since records began in 1966.  21 have since deceased. We partner with 97 VIPs and their whanau. 

NZ Rugby Foundation - Annual Reports You can go to page 40 onwards; you can see all the VIPs names and years they were injured 

NZ Rugby Foundation - VIP Stories   some beautiful stories here too. Our VIPs and their whanau are our core reason to be. 

Of our 118 men, five were injured pre-ACC (1 April 1974) and 61 injured pre the All-Player Insurance policy initiated in 1998. 

106 suffered (SCI) Spinal Cord Impairment injuries, this included several walking tetra’s, three sight injuries, and three amputees.   

Seven of the 118 are TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries).  (including Semisi) 

It is so great to see the trajectory of SCI declining since the inception of Rugby Smart and law changes. 

Our Near Miss this year 

One of our ‘work ons’ with the global rugby charities group (more below) is to change this word, Near Miss. It’s a bit ambiguous. 

Near Miss 

(30 files still open) 

68 Reports (1 new VIP) 

M 49   F 19 

SCI / spine - 29 

TBI/ concussion - 23 

Other Serious - 11 

Cardiac - 1 

Surgeries - 19 

Deceased - 4 (1 TBI, 3 💔) 

What is a Near Miss? 

A player who suffers a serious injury, who makes a full recovery 

Discussing a better term, than Near Miss:  Potential Serious injury - an injury that doesn’t have a permanent functionally disabling impact on the player. 

What type of injury does this include?  

The following rugby-related injuries arising from a single incident whilst playing or training for rugby union in line with WR and NGB laws and regulations should be reported as soon as the union/charity is made aware of them: 

• Type 1: Spinal cord injuries [SCI]  (if known, those with an ASIA classification of A to D at 48 hours) 

• Type 2: Acute traumatic brain injuries [TBI]  (if known, those which have a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of ≤12 (i.e. graded as ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’) at 48 hours) 

• Type 3: Life-changing injuries [LCI] permanent significant loss of function of the key senses or of one or more limbs 

• Type 4: Fatalities which result from any rugby match or training activity 

•  

Our collaboration 

With NZR and the NZRPA 

The Brain Health and Concussion Risk Management Working Group was formed by NZR. We have worked hard together on the Brain Health and Concussion Plan.  This is a comprehensive piece of work which NZR will launch in the new year.   

The group’s vision is: Rugby is doing everything we can to keep every player as safe as possible from the risks of concussion. 

INTRODUCTION 

Rugby is a sport that brings excitement and camaraderie to players and fans alike. However, like any contact sport, it carries risks, particularly concerning brain health and concussions. New Zealand Rugby (NZR), the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA), and the New Zealand Rugby Foundation (NZRF) are working together to make rugby as safe as possible for all participants. 

This guide outlines key initiatives and developments in brain health and concussion risk management that you might not be aware of. Our vision is that rugby is doing everything we can to keep every player as safe as possible from the risks of concussion. 

With the Neurological Foundation and Auckland University Centre for Brain Research 

• Knowledge share, education and perceptions. We will share a panel discussion next year with them, NZR and the NZRPA. Intertest parties, stakeholders and media will be invited. 

• Brain donation for research. 

International collaboration 

In 2015 we initiated collaboration with our counterparts in South Africa and Australia. This has now grown to nine countries, and we meet biennially.  We are delighted that World Rugby has recognised this group as the Injured Players Charities Working group   

Purpose / Role of the Group 

• Unite Representatives: 

• Share best practices to harmonise global support for injured players. 

• Promote the needs and perspectives of injured players and their charities. 

• Coordinate roles between charities, governing bodies, player associations, and World Rugby. 

• Collaborate on Efforts: 

• Standardise injury reporting and recording practices. 

• Research efforts 

• Discuss Governance and Fundraising: 

• Identify and advocate for best governance practices. 

• Provide support for injured player charities in emerging rugby nations. 

• Raise awareness and endorse fundraising activities with World Rugby and other partners. 

In October this year, World Rugby invited us to attend the WR Medical and Science Meeting in Lisbon, Portugal. They covered all flights and accommodation.  

• Since inception Feb 2015, so good to be visible to all other National Governing bodies in the medical/science/player welfare / player CARE piece.  Equally so good to have visibility. 

• Invited to present to wider group on last day 

• Warmly welcomed and paid respect for our work. 

• All meals together created so much opportunity to meet people and network 

• The between sessions craic was awesome. Who has social anxiety? Brave faces when you’re really sad, intensity and letting it go. Emotional support of each other at this sharp edge of the game. 

Article added: Friday 13 December 2024