A study of the knowledge that school rugby coaches have in the management and prevention of serious neck injury.

The following study is an analysis of the knowledge school rugby coaches responsible for Senior Cup Team in Leinster, have in the area of neck injury prevention and management. When serious neck injuries affect schoolboys it is particularly tragic and deserves special attention. The study targeted all the coaches of Senior Cup Teams in Leinster. Results showed that coaches lack vital knowledge in the area of neck injury prevention, recognition and management. Only 50% (n = 18) of coaches have a first aid qualification and only 47% (n = 17) carry first aid equipment to deal with neck injuries to matches. More than half of the schools in the study sample do not have neck collars available and a staggering 83% (n = 30) of schools do not have a stretcher available to SCT players. The study highlights the need to provide better first aid facilities in schools and demonstrates the need for further education of school rugby coaches.