AIG is stepping up its global campaign for greater safety awareness in rugby with the signing of new global ambassadors Sir Clive Woodward, Michael Lynagh and Sean Fitzpatrick.
The campaign launched in Dublin last year and involves a commitment of €35,000 towards individuals and clubs who can show initiatives they are undertaking at every level of the game to make it safer for the players involved.
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility,” said Woodward.
“World Rugby, the Unions, coaches, referees and parents all have an obvious role.”
“For major partners like AIG to promote awareness of the issue illustrates their belief in and support for, the game. As a sport we should lead on safety and make ground breaking strides.”
“To do that takes everyone involved in the game to do it.”
Concussion was the central theme of the Sports Surgery Clinics 5th annual Sports Medicine conference at the weekend.
“The focus in public debate about the issue of concussion to date has been on the recognition of players with concussion on the field and potential severity of concussion within sport,” said Professor Paul McCrory, Chair of the Sports Surgery Clinic Research Foundation.
“Successful campaigns from sporting bodies, including the GAA and IRFU in Ireland, have highlighted the need to ‘Recognize and Remove’. What we are saying today is that research into recording both the baseline and subsequent post concussion injury rehabilitation data will improve our knowledge and inform the development of a care pathway that can be used internationally.”
The closing date for entries to the 2015 AIG Rugby Safety awards is June 26th. Winners will travel to London in September to meet current members of the All Blacks squad and see them prepare for the defence of their Rugby World Cup crown.
