Union angered as young players health put at risk

Gary Macdonald.

The Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union is appalled that some coaches and managers risked the safety of children in defying its edict last week to ban all practice and play due to the gastro crisis.

"It's very disappointing. In a situation like this there possibly could have been bad consequences," union club development officer Gary Macdonald said, soon after sending out emails to all the Hastings and Napier clubs that the HBRFU and the Intercity Junior Rugby Board (IJRB) had lifted the ban in the region.

The decision was reached after the union consulted the Hastings District Council and IJRB but cautioned all that it was best to use only bottled water and to ensure players did not share them.

Mr Macdonald said the decision to pull the pin on all rugby last week was not an easy one and only made after considerable deliberation over the health of children.

He saluted the lion's share of coaches and managers who complied although he was made aware that some did not play ball.

"To those who felt they were exempt from this blanket ban because they were so special and important, you weren't and aren't.

"Frankly, Hawke's Bay Rugby [is] appalled that you would threaten the health of your young players just for your own ego," Mr Macdonald said.

Mr Macdonald said nothing should ever override the health and safety of youngsters in the province.

"People have to realise that a game of rugby is not important in the scheme of things when we're talking about health and safety."

He preferred to think there would "never be a next time" with a crisis of the stomach bug proportions for the union to test the resolve of such people.

"It's been a bit of a learning curve for us as well," he said.

"At the end of the day, we're relying on common sense and decency of people to [deal with] what is potentially a health problem.