Female rugby players in action on the pitch

Player welfare support to Women’s U18 Six Nations from Bangor researchers

Members of Bangor University’s Rugby Knowledge Exchange (RuKX) have been running player welfare clinics for national teams taking part in the Women’s U18 Six Nations.

Pic: Omega Photography

Women now make up a quarter of the global rugby playing population, but when it comes to injury risk and welfare, they cannot be viewed simply as smaller versions of men. Rather than impose existing welfare strategies that have been developed for men onto the women’s game, we need to understand the specific injury and welfare risks affecting women. That will enable us to develop tailored prevention strategies for female players.
Dr Julian Owen,  School of Psychology and Sport Science, Bangor University