Amateur sport needs a safety shake-up, says ex-Tigers man
MATT IN CALL FOR MORE GRASSROOTS PROTECTION
A FORMER Leicester Tigers rugby player who was paralysed during training has called for greater safety at grassroots levels of the game.
Matt Hampson, a former Leicester and England under21s prop, made the comments after receiving his OBE from the Princess Royal for his work in helping others who have been seriously injured while playing sport.
While acknowledging that great strides had been made in the professional game, Mr Hampson believes more can be done to protect those at the lower levels.
He was paralysed from the neck down during training in 2005, and in 2010 set up the Matt Hampson Foundation, a charity which supports young people who are injured during sport.
The foundation has helped turn a former aircraft hangar near Melton into the Get Busy Living Centre, a state-of-the-art facility for those who have suffered lifechanging injury through sport
Asked whether safety in sport had improved since his injury, he told the Press Association (PA): “In rugby, definitely. I’d say the protocols are better and I think the scrummage rules have improved in rugby and the game as a whole is a lot safer.”
However, he said there remained dangers for those at grassroots levels.
“On the grassroots level, I’d say the knowledge of what scrums are doing and what the tackle laws are needs to improve,” said Mr Hampson,
who is from Oakham, in Rutland.
Calling for better refereeing and coaching at the level, he said: “We should introduce protocols that are in place in the professional game, like having ambulances on site and people with knowledge about what to do in the case of a spinal injury.”
Mr Hampson said he was “really, really chuffed” about about being made an OBE.
“I would just say that I think my family have been a great support to me, my friends, and beyond – the rugby community has been a great support to me,” he added.
“I’m in a situation where you could say I’ve been very lucky or very unlucky in life, and I feel very honoured and privileged to be here.”
During his investiture with the Princess Royal, whom he described as “a very approachable, down-to-earth person”, Mr Hampson said the pair spoke about his foundation and how supportive the rugby community had been during his recovery.
“It’s an amazing day for everyone at the foundation and everyone who supports it,” he said.
On the grassroots level, I’d say the knowledge of what scrums are doing and what the tackle laws are needs to improve