Player Welfare Action Plan

The Action Plan has a dedicated focus on eight key objectives which put player welfare at the forefront of on and off-pitch activity delivery, utilising an evidence-based approach for decision making.

The Action Plan has been developed by Scottish Rugby’s Welfare Manager, Dr Karen Barclay, Chief Medical Officer, Dr James Robson and Head of Game Development, Neil Graham.

Aligned to World Rugby’s six-point plan for player welfare, key areas the Action Plan addresses include pitch side care, concussion management, age banding, laws, education, research, wellbeing and coaching.

These key areas will be addressed through new minimum standards, enhanced training and education including new and refreshed courses accessible to coaches, players, referees, parents and volunteers, plus new policies and resources to support clubs and schools.

Below you can access the Player Welfare Action Plan document and a range of resources to support your club/school/society implement action on the eight key objectives of the plan.

Concussion Education Module

The new concussion module which makes up the wider RugbyRight course is now available for members of the wider rugby community to complete.

The course includes comprehensive support to help identify and manage concussion, and provides clear information on the graduated return to play protocols at all ages and stages of the game.

Scottish Rugby encourages all players, volunteers and parents to undertake it.

Click HERE to complete the course.

First Responder Course

Learn life saving skills with Scottish Rugby’s First Responder course.

This First Responder online course will help develop your understanding of basic principles for bystanders offering assistance in the event of a serious injury or illness until more skilled help arrives.

This course does not replace first aid training nor gives you skills to be appointed as a qualified first aider. It aims to help you recognise when an immediate response is required to keep a player safe and use the basic skills discussed. Some of these skills can be life saving, for example CPR and use of an AED.

This course is suitable for players, coaches, spectators, families and carers and requires no previous experience, and forms the first step in Scottish Rugby’s First Aid Educational Pathway.

Click HERE to take the course. If you are a physio, first aider, coach, match official or other volunteer at your club or school and you would like your completion of this module to be recorded by Scottish Rugby, then you should log into SCRUMS and access the module from the BROWSE COURSES page.

Similarly, if you are considering becoming a First Aider and completing the SCRUMCAPS Level 1 First Aid Course, then you should log in to SCRUMS to complete this module.