Experts urgent warning on Australian kids' sports: ‘we need to rethink mid-week training'
A leading neurologist is sounding the alarm on the risks of repeated head knocks in junior contact sports, sparking a fierce debate between parents, coaches and fans.
Dr Rowena Mobbs warns that the long-term brain damage caused by repeated impacts is preventable, but only if training methods change drastically.
'Ultimately CTE is preventable and minimisable… If kids especially learn to tackle later or are exposed to repeated head injury later… we'll be on a winner,' said Dr Mobbs, referring to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a devastating degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head trauma.
Her stark warning is fuelling conversations across communities where parents want their kids to be safe, but fans and coaches worry about the impact of reducing contact on player readiness and the culture of the game.
Dan Hadchiti, a suburban NRL coach from the Bankstown Bulls who mentors a local junior team, believes contact training is essential, but agreed it needs to be smarter and safer.
'The first 20 minutes of every session is contact and safe contact… making tackles effectively but also safely,' he explained.
He worries that cutting back too much on contact training could backfire.
'Repetition is the best way of learning… if you're going to lessen the amount of tackling happening out at training in a controlled environment, what are you going to do when you're out on the field?'
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Dr Mobbs isn't calling for the end of contact sports, but said governing bodies must urgently revise training guidelines, especially for younger kids.
'It may be as young as age 12… or age 14… to limit that early exposure when the brain is developing,' she said.
She believes simply halving midweek collision training could dramatically reduce the risk of brain injury, especially in higher-risk positions.
'If we halve contact collision training, we may halve CTE, particularly for the higher risk positions,' she said.
Her call comes as the AFL continues to confront its growing concussion crisis.
This week, West Coast Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern announced his retirement after being advised to step away from the game by the AFL's concussion panel.
McGovern, who played 197 games for the Eagles since debuting in 2014, was a key figure in the club's 2018 premiership win over Collingwood.
While he admitted he was 'gutted' not to play again, he said he accepted the panel's decision and prioritised his long-term health.
For many parents, this warning is an alarm sounding, sparking a search for more information.
But for some fans and families, it feels like an attack on sporting traditions they love.
The clash between safety concerns and love of the game has sparked tough conversations in club rooms and living rooms across the country.
Dan Hadchiti believes there is a middle ground.
'We should be welcoming contact at training in a safe environment. It doesn't need to be 100 per cent, but just enough where the boys can understand what they're doing, why they're doing it,' he said.
The Bankstown Bulls have a proud history of developing tough, talented players — including NFL star Jordan Mailata — who began his sporting life with the Bulls before launching his professional career in the United States.
But as concerns around brain injuries grow, even clubs with deep traditions are beginning to question how much risk is too much.
At 6PM tonight, 7NEWS will explore the science behind CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) and speak with veteran NRL star Trevor Crow's wife, Sandra, who speaks passionately about the toll the game has taken on their family.
The full story airs tonight, 6PM.
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