Safety and gear
SAFETY
Hydration: Water is best
Water is the recommended hydration fluid for all age groups. As a guide:
- water breaks at training should be provided at 30 min or less intervals. Less if the intensity of training is high or the temperatures are to warm.
- During a match. Water should be presented to players:
- before running on;
- after a try is scored;
- during injury Breaks; or
- at half time/After full time.
Coaches should be attentive to the signs of dehydration and pull players from the field for rehydration. Signs included diminished stamina, dry lips, headaches etc. Dehydration can adversely affect a player and a team’s performance. It is important that the coach and manager ensure that water is available and presented to the players regularly at training and during games.
Players and parents are encouraged to ensure adequate hydration is undertaken in the few days before training/games.
TVJRUFC position on soft drink, juice and cordials is they are not appropriate for training or games. TVJRUFC encourages parents and players to avoid the use of soft-drink, juice or cordial immediately before and during training and games.
Sports drinks or Electrolyte drinks such as Hydrolyte, Staminade, Lucasade, Powerade, Gatorade etc. can be useful only when dehydration is suspected post training or games – especially when it has been particularly warm or hot or when pregame day hydration has been inadequate.
TVJRUFC do not actively recommend, supply or endorse Sport Drink use. Energy drinks (V, Mother, Redbull etc.) are to be avoided by all players.
Energy Drinks are not allowed on Club trips away (coach/bus/carpool) outside of the ACT and on the u14s Tour.
RugbyAu Medical Policy
All registered Viking Junior Players and volunteers are covered by RugbyAu insurance and the medical policy.
Viking Juniors will meet all requirements of the RugbyAu First Aid and Medial Policy, including qualifications, accreditation. Vikings Juniors require the following:
- Team Officials (Coaches, Managers, First-Aid, Manager)
- SmartRugby
- WWVP Card (ACT)
- Concussion & Serious Injury Management; and
- Rugby Australia Member Protection & Inclusion
- First-Aiders
- SmartRugby
- World Rugby First Aid in Rugby (FAIR)* OR alternatively, the individual has uploaded a valid First Aid Certificate);
- First Aid Attendant Kids Rugby Accreditation (for all U12 and below matches); or
- First Aid Attendant Level 1 Accreditation (for all U13 and above matches)
- Concussion & Serious Injury Management; and
- Rugby Australia Member Protection & Inclusion
Reference: RugbyAu First-Aid and Medical
RugbyAu First-Aid and Medical Requirements (PDF) RugbyAu requirements
Injuries
Injuries can occur in any sport, the data collected by the RugbyAu in terms of the nature and seriousness of injures in Rugby is covered in Registered Rugby training courses like Smart Rugby.
These courses are critical for coach’s awareness in how to prevent, treat and respond to injuries. There are mandatory levels of formal coaching qualification that must be achieved to ensure the safety of players. The club funds the necessary training needed by coaches to satisfy the training standards set out by the ACTJRU.
The following are important safety measures that the Coaches and Managers of a team must attend too for training and games. It is important to understand that Injuries are just as likely if not more likely to occur at training than in the game.
There are two reporting requirements expected of First-Aid officers and Coaches/Managers:
- Mandatory serious injury reporting required by RugbyAu.
- General injury report for all injuries sustained at training and in play.
* Both must be submitted each week to the First-Aid Coordinator and VP-Admin.
First Aid
Since 2015, Vikings Juniors have led the way amongst ACT Junior Rugby clubs through the provision of trained first aiders for all individual Vikings teams. It is source of pride in our club that having seen the initiate work for Viking Juniors the ACTJRU adopted and implemented the practice across the ACTJRU competition.
Vikings First Aiders cannot provide strapping services or strapping tape. Any player requiring strapping be strapped by their own Physio and only play if cleared to do so by their health care provider.
All our first aiders are volunteers who have received First Aid accredited training along with completing SmartRugby, hold a WWVPC and have completed World Rugby Online modules for Rugby First-Aid, Concussion and Member protection.
Vikings First Aiders have the authority to remove players from play where they believe an injured player’s continued participation in the game would be detrimental to the player’s health and wellbeing. Coaches and Managers are not able to override this.
Strapping
Vikings First Aiders should not provide strapping services or strapping tape, unless specifically qualified to do so. Any player requiring strapping should be strapped by their own Physio/health professional provider, noting the club policy is:
- Players with injuries or medical conditions are encouraged to not play until passed fit/recovered.
- Any strapped player may only play if cleared to do so by their health care provider/Physio/health professional.
- Younger players (under7s-u12s) should not play if they require strapping.
- Players in under 13s and above can play with strapping if cleared to play by health care professional and parent/guardian.
Concussion Management
It is a requirement that all players who suffer a concussion seek the highest level of medical care reasonably available and follow Rugby Australia’s return to play policy to ensure concussion is managed appropriately.
A concussion is a brain injury and must be taken seriously. All players with potential head injuries or concussion must be removed from the field of play immediately.
Viking Jrs First Aiders and Sports-Trainers have the authority to remove players from play where they believe an injured player’s continued participation in the game would be detrimental to the player’s health and wellbeing. Coaches and Managers are not able to override this.
Reference: RugbyAu Concussion Management
Blood Policy
Key points:
It is the responsibility of all Players/Parent/guardians to maintain strict personal hygiene by covering any cuts or abrasions with an impermeable waterproof dressing before training or games.
Open cuts and abrasions occurring during a match or training must be reported and treated immediately. Bleeding players must be removed immediately from the field of play (during games and training) until the bleeding is controlled and the wound covered with an impermeable waterproof dressing.
Individual disposable wipes should always be used in preference to the communal sponge. Blood soaked equipment (jerseys, shorts etc) should be replaced by fresh clean equipment, and put through a hot detergent wash)
First aid kits should include disposable gloves
Players with a recent history or who are known carriers of infectious disease should discuss the potential hazards of participation in contact sport with a doctor
Personal and environmental hygiene should be maintained at a high level at all times.
Reference: RugbyAu Blood Policy
Position Selection
Players should only be selected for positions appropriate to their physical build and stature. Players should be physically fit to play rugby when selected and those that are unfit should not be selected.
Players should not be selected to play in the front row unless they have recent experience in the front row or have been coached in specialist front row play and are able to demonstrate good technique, core and upper body strength (appropriate to age).
All players should be encouraged to regularly carry out special exercises that strengthen their neck, limbs and body. This is especially applicable to those in the scrum who should build up their neck and back muscles as well as upper body strength
Mouth Guards
Viking Juniors Players are actively encouraged to wear/use mouthguards for all training sessions and games, however it is not compulsory.
Mouth guards are a great idea – not only for the teeth and smile but also (and mainly) helps minimize concussion. Pharmacy ones are ok.
Noting: over the years we have seen some serious damage to teeth, lips and gums from players who have not been wearing a mouthguard at training or games.
Scrum Cap / Headgear
Viking Juniors Players are actively encouraged to wear/use players wear headgear for contact training and games. however, it is not compulsory.
Coaches will encourage the use and proper fitment/sizing of headgear. Scrum caps must conform to World Rugby standards.
Rugby Boots
Players must wear Rugby boots to all training sessions. Molded plastic studded boots (blades or studs) are generally fine for u7-U9s. Screw in studs (plastic, metal tipped or full metal) are recommended for forwards in age groups u10 and higher as it increases grip, control and stability for rucks and scrums.
Other optional gear
Shoulder Pads/ Padded vest. however, these are not compulsory. Scrum caps and shoulder pads should conform to World Rugby standards (note these are generally thinner than Rugby League style pads).
