The Ba Rugby Union (BRU) has announced a significant partnership with Aspen Medical to enhance player welfare and safety in rugby competitions across the region. This collaboration aims to improve medical services from grassroots club games all the way through to the Skipper Cup level. Gaby Kautoga, the secretary of the BRU, noted that under their constitution, every club is required to have a medical officer trained in First Aid In Rugby (FAIR), but Aspen Medical will provide a more professional level of medical support, including the availability of a doctor or nurse with Immediate Care in Rugby (ICIR) qualifications at every game.
Kautoga emphasized that this agreement represents a trailblazing initiative for medical provision at the provincial level in Fiji, aligning with the standards set by World Rugby. Gavin Whiteside, the chief executive of Aspen Medical in Fiji, expressed pride in cooperating with the local community, stating their commitment to keeping medical personal close to rugby events, thus ensuring prompt care for any medical incidents.
The BRU is gearing up for its club games, which are set to commence on March 8th at Vinod Patel Park, featuring around 36 clubs from across the province. This partnership represents a crucial step towards ensuring a safer playing environment for athletes and could serve as a model for other rugby unions in the region looking to enhance their own player welfare protocols.
In addition to enhancing player safety, this partnership underscores the commitment of Ba Rugby Union to overcome challenges related to logistics and finances that have been a concern for the sport’s growth in Fiji. The collaboration with Aspen Medical provides a hopeful outlook for more systematic and professional medical support in rugby while setting a positive precedent for player safety initiatives.
This comprehensive approach highlights Ba Rugby Union’s broader goals of improving player experiences and creating a stronger, more supportive rugby culture in the region.
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