Rugby League’s acceptance of 44 recommendations from the sport’s Brain Health Committee to take effect from the 2024 season was a new focus for the RFL’s 16th Annual Safeguarding Conference in St Helens at the weekend.
More than 120 delegates attended the Totally Wicked Stadium from all sectors of the sport, and even including representatives from other sports who are considering following the RFL’s lead.
Dr Gemma Phillips, the RFL’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer and a member of the Brain Health Committee, gave a keynote speech outlining the background to the law changes and other recommendations for 2024, covering protocols, risks, symptoms and last year’s Academy laws trial.
Liam Moore, the RFL’s Legal and Compliance Case Manager who is better known as one of the sport’s Full-Time Match Officials, updated on the impact that has been made since officials in the community game began wearing head cameras in 2023.
The scheme, which was initially trialled in the National Conference League and has received significant support from BARLA, the Yorkshire Junior League and the North West Men’s League, has involved 250 GoPro cameras distributed across the community game – and led to significant reductions in reported match official abuse cases (46%) and of poor touch-line behaviours (28%) during 2023.
Liz Ward, a facilitator and consultant specialising in matters relating to equity, diversity and inclusion in sport, delivered a two-part workshop on unacceptable language and behaviour.
Kerry Simmons, the RFL’s Safeguarding Manager, said: “The Annual Safeguarding Conference is an important event for the sport, and as ever I’d like to thank our speakers and all the delegates for their attendance.
“We always aim to focus on areas that have been prevalent in the sport in the year just gone, looking at how we can further educate and inform clubs.
“This was an opportunity for Gemma Phillips to provide a clear and thorough explanation of Rugby League’s journey in terms of the scientific and medical knowledge around head contact and injuries, and the measures being taken to address the issue.
“It was great to hear Liam Moore describing the positive impact made on touch-line and on-field behaviour following the sport’s investment in head cameras, and Liz Ward provided in-depth and specialist knowledge in the key area of unacceptable language and behaviour.”
Tony Sutton, the RFL Chief Executive, added: “I’d like to thank and congratulate Kerry and her team, including the speakers, for another excellent and important event. It was great to see so many people attend, it was also valuable and engaging to catch up with delegates both from around our sport and beyond.
“It’s powerful to assemble so many people from different parts of the sport, some of them travelling significant distances, and this year including representatives from outside Rugby League who had been recommended to have a look at what we’re doing.
“With two conferences for community Match Officials being held over the weekend at separate venues, and also focusing on the key issues around brain health, it’s another reminder of what Rugby League means to so many people, in terms of the commitment they show to the sport.”
For more information on safeguarding within Rugby League, email Kerry.
