Saru’s BokSmart ticking all the right boxes

Yesterday it was announced that BokSmart, the joint initiative rugby-saftey programme between the South African Rugby Union (Saru) and the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Fund, has been legislated by Saru at the annual general meeting that was held last week.

This is important for the following reason: Every year, pre-2009 before the programme was implemented, approximately 8 to 10 catastrophic rugby injuries occurred every year on these shores. The definition of a catastrophic rugby injury is one which leaves the victim disabled in some manner, especially since such injuries concern the spine and neck.

BokSmart was launched last year in July 2009, and since it’s introduction over 4 000 coaches and 1 000 referees country wide have done a BokSmart course. So what does BokSmart entail?

The emphasis on BokSmart is to coach correct and researched technique to the players, as using the proper technique when entering a tackle, making or a tackle or any other physical clash involving the players means the player is more effective, and from BokSmart’s perspective, and safer. I’m sure those of you who have attended school games have seen the results of poor technique being used when making a tackle, with either the tackle being too high, ineffective or dangerous, endangering the tackler and the tackled player. This is only a very brief explanation … more details below …

So yesterday’s announcement meant the following:

Provinces, clubs, rugby bodies and schools shall not be allowed to host any match without ensuring that all match officials and participating coaches are BokSmart certified.
Provinces, clubs, rugby bodies and schools must comply with these regulations and ensure that they inform all their members of the regulations and their obligation.
Provinces, clubs, rugby bodies and schools must ensure that all affiliated match officials and coaches are BokSmart certified and their details recorded.
As of April 1 this year, players younger than 18-years-old shall not be allowed to play senior rugby in any position, at any level of rugby under the auspices of Saru or any of its provincial unions, without special waiver.
As of April 1, players younger than 19-years-old shall not be allowed to play senior rugby in the front row at any level of rugby under the auspices of SARU or any of its provincial unions, without special waiver.
Only players who have been identified within the provincial or national structures with the potential to play at elite provincial level or above can apply for a waiver.

“These regulations have the potential to radically change the landscape of injury prevention in South African rugby for the rest of time,” said Dr Wayne Viljoen, Saru’s BokSmart project manager.

“The provinces have shown real leadership by embracing these changes and the onus is now on all of the rugby community to deliver. If we do, we’ll be making the game safer and more enjoyable for all the participants.”

All South Africa’s national panel referees have completed the five-hour training ‘course while Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu is the first of Saru’s national coaches to have attended the course.

“We estimate that the unions will be certifying approximately 20 000 coaches and referees between now and 1 January 2011,” said Viljoen.

“We acknowledge that it is a mammoth challenge but providing a safe game for our players is one of the core focus areas of Saru and the 14 provinces.”

I sat next to Dr. Viljoen at Craven Week in East London last year for a couple of days when the project first launched, and even then he had a vision of how the programme’s implementation should proceed and yesterday’s announcement is the culimination of the hard work he, and everyone else who has put their hand up for this initiative, have put in to make BokSmart a success.

Often, as bloggers/media, we moan about why this isn’t taking place or why this team is playing like rubbish etc. Sometimes, however, extremely good work is being done within the SA rugby fraternity that should be recognised. While the programme isn’t even a year old, it is making a difference. That is the most important thing.

If you are interested in finding out more, check out www.boksmart.com. Any drive that aims to make the game safer and more enjoyable is something I would always support, as I am sure other fans do. Let’s hope they keep up the good work. Now if only the Lions would actually win a game …