Elite sportspeople pay for our entertainment
It’s to our national shame that sports heroes’ long-term
safety and wellbeing is almost
an afterthought.
The recent retirement from rugby league of former Leeds Rhinos captain Steviewardwasbarely mentioned innewzealand’s sports columns. But it should have been because it has serious implications for sport worldwide.
Steviewardis only 27 and should be at the height of his playing career. However, after two concussion injuries last year, he has struggled with ongoing symptoms.
In his statement, Wardmakes it clear howconcussion has blighted his everyday life.
“I struggle with migraines, dizziness, motion sickness, sensitivity to light and screens, short-termmemoryissues, slurred speech, and an inability to exercise or do daily tasks without irritatingmysymptoms.”
These debilitating issues forced Wardto conclude that retirement from thegamehe loveswas the only option.
“I cannot putmyhealth and brain to any further risk and detriment,” he said.
“Just want to thank everyone whohas taken their time out to send metheir messages and support. It’s truly humbling and appreciated.”
It’s a personal tragedy for Ward, but it’s also a tragedy for sport. In December, the Herald reported on a possible lawsuit involving 70 former rugby players, including several All Blacks, who experienced cognitive issues after battles with concussion. Both codes of rugby arenowfacing increasing scrutiny about the long-term effects of brain injuries. Former rugby player Ross Devlin has also recently spoken publicly about his fight with degenerative brain disease. Hesuffered multiple concussions while playing club rugby in the 1990s and 2000s, which he believes led to his condition.
Devlin’s experience shows the problem extends to every level of the game.
Stevie Ward’s young age and the severity of his symptoms should be raising alarm bells for sports administrators across the globe. According to Ward, morecould and should be done to better ensure the safety of players. He’s long been an advocate for changing the “culture and stigma” around concussion within rugby league.
However, there’s another fundamental issue at play here, too. Sport is ultimately about entertainment. Elite sportsmen and womenput their bodies on the line to entertain the crowds, whether in the stadiums or at home. Andsport is also about national pride. The whole country celebrates the achievements onthe world stage of, say, the All Blacks and the Black Caps.
Sport, and rugby, in particular, is an intrinsic part ofnewzealand’s identity. Therefore, it’s to our nationalshame that sports heroes’ long-term safety and wellbeing is almost an afterthought.
Sport is, after all, big business. And with countless other young players ready and willing to step into the boots of players such aswardand Devlin, it seems unlikely attitudes will change anytime soon.
As for Ward, he sees his future as speaking up for current and future sports stars.
“Iammotivated to help get our sport to a place where it can ensure the players’ long-term safety whilst keeping the beauty and grit of the game.”
Let’s hope Ward’s voice and those of other athletes similarly affected are heard sooner rather than later.