World News for Students of English

16-08-2023 15:00

More than 70 doctors and medics signed a letter to the British government, warning that children are suffering head and spinal injuries from playing rugby and they called for a ban on tackling.

In the open letter to ministers, the medical experts argued that two-thirds of injuries and most concussions come from tackles, and they want schools to switch to touch and non-contact rugby.

When it comes to parents, they are divided on whether the game is too rough. One mother said that boys are bigger than ever, and it is awful when you hear them bashing together. Another one said that tackling is a part of the game, and she could not just see how it could be the same without any tackling.

Surprisingly, David Ross, who became paralysed by a rugby injury is against the change. He said people freely choose to play rugby because they want to have that element of contact and physicality.

Difficult words: tackle (to run into another player to knock them over), concussion (when you hit your head very hard), bash (hit), element (a part of something), physicality (touching other people).

You can watch the video news lower on this page.