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The HKRU Player Welfare Department is responsible for helping to provide an environment within our rugby community which nurtures both physical and mental wellbeing.
Player Welfare is anything which affects the physical or mental wellbeing of a player.
Mental Wellbeing means feeling good – both about yourself and the world around you and evidence suggests that there is a link between being physically active and good mental wellbeing.
With this in mind HKRU aims to be pro-active and focus on preventive measures by raising awareness and facilitating education around this essential area of health at all age groups from minis through youth and tertiary to senior leagues and national team players.
Below you will find valuable information and resources as well as links to other organisations who are able to provide further expert, specialist advice.
The HKRU Player Welfare and Medical (PW&M) team has created a new campaign, “SMARTRugby” to raise awareness in the community around key aspects of Player Welfare
Safe Guarding
Mental Health
Away From Injury
Return To Play
Team Spirit
Rugby is a collision sport that requires a fit, trained and skilled participant in order to reduce the risk of injury. In addition, the playing environment needs to be suitable and hazard-free, with the correct supporting personnel at hand in order to minimise injury and enhance safety. This document aims to give practical guidelines to coaches and referees to allow play to take place in a safe environment.
HKRU Safety In The Playing EnvironmentAs a Governing body, Hong Kong Rugby Union, takes player welfare extremely seriously and regularly make improvements to enhance safety while striving to ensure that all players can access the best care if injuries do occur. We recognise the concern of parents about risks associated with sport and contact sport in particular however we believe, our players are safer now than ever.
READ MOREActivate is a worldwide Injury Prevention Exercise Programme released by World Rugby. The programme was developed using scientific evidence and expert opinion, whilst feedback from active coaches helped to ensure that the programme is suitable to use across community-level rugby settings.
At HKRU we use Activate for club, community and junior rugby (including NAG).
LEARN MOREPlayers suffering from concussion may not return to play until:
All their symptoms have cleared They have followed the Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) protocol They have been medically cleared to return
Concusion 6R's
Concussion ‘Recognise and Remove’
World Rugby Concussion Guidance
HKRU places player welfare above all else in our game.
We are aware of the controversies regarding concussion in contact sports. As early as 2013 we set up a concussion working group comprising medical experts, coaches, referees and players.
READ MOREReferee / Club Protocol
Blue Card Concussion Protocol
It is the responsibility of all those involved with rugby in Hong Kong to provide a safe environment for children and young people to enjoy the game.
Download Hong Kong Rugby Union Safeguarding Policy
READ MOREThis form must be filled in as soon as possible after receiving information regarding and incident that may affect the welfare or protection of a child.
Please send the completed form to HKRU Safeguarding Manager - [email protected]
Our player welfare & medical department has a library of mental health resources available upon request.
Below are details of Hong Kong organisations with whom HKRU has ongoing relationships but please contact us for more detailed information or if you have any questions.
General enquiries: [email protected]
Or contact: [email protected]
The Samaritan Befrienders of Hong Kong
Suicide prevention and life education Emotional support hotline Suicide crisis intervention and counseling services
Hotline Tel: +852 2389 2222
Website: www.sbhk.org.hk
Prevention, education and harm reduction Positive youth development Advocacy
Hotline Tel: +852 2521 6890
Website: [email protected]
Mind Hong Kong is an initiative formed out of the Patient Care Foundation http://patientcarefoundation.com.hk/
They are committed to improving awareness and understanding of mental health in Hong Kong.
