Kimmy’s Garden

A devastating event at a High School Rugby Game this week: a young man was lifted up and thrown to the ground on to his head by an opposition player; this young man died today. The parental units of the young unfortunate (alleged) killer say that the charges should be dropped because it happened during a rugby game, and as you know “They were not playing volleyball”, implying that rugby is by nature a violent sport.

My friends, in the game of rugby violence is absolutely NOT allowed. Unfortunately, the game of rugby is too misunderstood in North America by not only people who are not familiar with the game, but also by a few who are actually players of this intense sport.

Rugby is, yes, a physical game. This is not volleyball or checkers, no, but it is also not an hour long hockey fight, or UFC cage fighting. And that being said, I am quite sure that head-into-ground spear-tackling is not allowed even in cage fighting.

This was not a freak accident, this was not rugby, and the charges of manslaughter should not be dropped. As the original article states, on Wednesday the young attacker lifted the other boy off his feet, drove him into the ground, and beat him until he was unconscious; this assault was an intentional violent act, and the young offender needs to be held accountable for his actions.

I do have one question. What have the coach and the parents been teaching this young player who has just ruined his life?