2025 Serious Injuries WHAT IS A SERIOUS INJURY? Serious injuries have the potential to result in permanent disablement to players. These are reportable incidents: 1. A head or spinal injury or medical event (e.g. a heart attack) that results in the player being admitted to the hospital. 2. An injury or medical event (e.g. a heart attack) that results in the death of a player during match play or rugby training. 3. An injury that is expected to result in some permanent disability (e.g. loss of use of a limb, loss of an eye). WHAT IS A NEAR MISS? A serious injury of a player in the above categories who fully recovers. Rugby’s a great game. Just ask the thousands of people who pull on their jerseys every weekend – no matter what the weather may be. Most games, players walk off the field, sometimes quite muddy, and very happy. Every so often, someone is very seriously injured. Occasionally, the injury can be life changing. That is why we’re here. There were 65 serious injuries in 2025, and we acknowledge the players, their parents, grandparents, partners, siblings, friends, and children who were affected. We understand that it’s a challenging and stressful time. We also know that every single journey is different. Our support is what is required, sitting alongside the health system. We are proud to have provided as much mental health support as we have and also acknowledge our funders and donors who have supported us in this specific area. SURGERIES Surgery – Spine Surgery – Face Surgery – Head Surgery –Internal Injuries Surgery – Other Head Spine Heart Internal Injuries Deceased Other Serious – Eye 27 30 0 6 1 1 65 42% 46% 0% 9% 2% 2% 100% NEAR MISS 2025 numbers Male Female 52 13 65 80% 20% 100% 2 5 2 4 1 14 “Thanks for checking in. Leo (and us all) doing much better than we last spoke. In his words, he’s a 7/10 now. He’s still often sensitive to loud noises, bright lights, etc. The loops you sent were his game changer in coping! Back to school last week for half days and he wanted to stay longer each day. Hardest part now is getting him to remember to slow down sometimes! Laura Ferguson and OT in touch each week, so working through exercises to get sign off for full-time school/ play etc.” A lovely note of thanks from a Near Miss family. 14% 36% 14% 29% 7% 100% 12 ANNUAL REPORT 2025
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