Rugby Canada says sport has good safety record, despite two deaths in five years
Rugby Canada’s CEO says major traumatic injuries like one that killed a P.E.I. teenager are rare despite the lack of protective gear because players are trained to safely tackle opponents and respect each other’s safety.
Allen Vansen said Wednesday that he was incredibly saddened to hear about the death of Brodie McCarthy, an 18-year-old high schooler who sustained a fatal brain injury during a rugby tournament last Friday.
“We’re incredibly saddened to receive that news and all our immediate thoughts and prayers were on Brodie’s family, his friends and teammates, the entire community of Montague and his school,” Vansen said.
But he said McCarthy’s sudden death — five years after the death of Ottawa teen Rowan Stringer after multiple on-field concussions — should not deter other teens from playing the sport.