Rugby!

You’re not the odd one out, Aveline.

Of course they’ll do what they love and we just have to accept that, and there’s a good chance of injury in any sport, but I’m pleased that my DGS (so far) have opted for football over rugby as they’ve got older.

Individual choices. These days more attention is paid to safety and at very junior level touch rugby is great fun.
I love football and would love the more gentlemanly conduct of rugby behaviour to be seen there. Not the incessant whining to referee and rolling around trying to gain an advantage.
But children I love to see follow and take part in all sporting endeavours.

Both my grandsons play aged 8 & 12 they love it. They found the Rugby club much more inclusive than football where everyone is given a chance to join in however good they are. I was a little concerned to begin with but as my son advised me the little game is much different than that played by older players. The younger one plays no contact Rugby and certainly no scrums for the older one.

I used to hate Saturdays when we lived over 200 miles away and our youngest was playing.
He had a few visits to A&E.
He now lives overseas and plays, it is his passion so there is nothing we can do.
As an ex pat in two different countries now it is how he has made so many good fiends and no doubt so many hangovers!

As we say, 'It is his choice'. If he doesn't enjoy it, he will give it up. But almost any sport is potentially dangerous. I broke an arm playing rounders, my sister, as a child, broke her thigh running don a garden path and tripping over a doormat.

To be fair, I do not know many rugby players but one of them was my son and none of them ever come to any harm. Rules have recently been introduced to protect all rugby players, but especially children from damage in scrums.

I think you just have to grin and bear it.

No you are not! My children attended a rugby playing school. The eldest boy hated it and tried to avoid it at all costs. The younger one really enjoyed it and I can’t remember how many times we had to take him to A&E as a result. Fortunately our daughter at the same school did not have to play. Maybe they do now. One day I returned home to see my son’s friend leaving our house ( they must have been about 16 ) and I commiserated about his visible injuries. Wait till you see D he said!! It should not be compulsory in my opinion.

I totally understand how you feel. My GS chose to be in goal at his football training. I have similar reservations about that.