I am trying to persuade my dad who is a Doctor to let me play. Watch it all the time and have played. Does anyone have any statistics that will work in my favor. Also do you have any ways for me to persuade him? Thanks.

not sure what statistics you are after. if its to do with injuries then it will just give your dad ammunition. if its popularity then it will always come behind soccor globably if its for enjoyment well how can you go wrong as any physical activity must help the obesity problem the world faces. Your dad shouldnt be able to dictate what sport you play

Your dad is right to be worried, & it is not just because he is a doctor, although that is definitely part of it. He must of seen some horrific rugby injuries ( l have & l only coach up to 18) & he is ur dad. No parent wants their kid to be hurt, but on the other hand we do not want to wrap u up in cotton wool either.

Find a reputable club, with reputable coach is & u should be fine. You need to be playing with ur age group so the guys u play with will all be around about the same height, weight & bulk.

Watching a game & playing a game r two completely different things. It is different being in a scrum to watching one, it is scary enough trying to ref one, l can not imagine what it must be like inside there & ruck is r just as bad.

You do not say whether u want to play league or union, look into them & then make a decision for yourself, both have upsides & downsides.

Your dad is right to be worried. l am sure you've heard about Matt Hampson. Matt Hampson is known all over the country as the inspirational figure who has given hope to people going through a rough period in their lives, the guy who got injured but wouldn’t take it lying down.

Just over two years ago he was an emerging talent in the world of rugby, recognized by the respected as having the capability to go all the way. Matt had grown up in Rutland & was a typical boy – always dirty, always getting into trouble, always way too much energy for his own good. His mother Anne & father Phil were always there to support him, to help him on his way & always full of encouragement.

Matt attended King Edward 7th in Melton Mowbray & excelled in PE & in particular rugby. Enjoying the sport so much, he joined Syston Rugby club & was part of the team that achieved winning the Sanyo Cup national tournament at Twickenham, a team that also had a 5-season championship winning streak.

Tigers Academy soon took note of Matt & he was selected to join them at the Under 16 level. He then went to QE college in Leicester where he balanced college with training full time with the academy & quickly established himself as prop forward who was capable of holding his own in 1st team training - with the likes of British Lion Graham Rowntree, World Cup winner Julian White & England prop Darren Garforth at the club this was no mean feat.

Off the pitch Matt liked nothing more than relaxing with his mates, whether at the cinema or out on a Saturday night with the boys.

Matt was progressing nicely through the junior England levels notching up England U18 schools & England Under 19 caps. As the England U21 management were to announce the squad it was almost inevitable that he would make the grade. Make the grade he did & his performances impressed Nigel Redman & Jim Mallinder & lead to him being the number one prop in the team.

Then came the moment that changed his life. “He (Matt Hampson) remembers the call & he remembers the shove & he remembers the scrum collapsing, just as it had many times before. He remembers going down & his feet being lifted off the ground & feeling suddenly unable to breathe as his friends piled on top of him.” (The Times March 12th 2006). Matt suffered a dislocation in his neck which had trapped his spinal cord. It has left him paralyzed from the neck down & more determined than ever from the neck up. It is Matt’s spirit & bravery that has earned him such recognition & has pulled together the rugby world who want to take care of one of their own.

He was looked after by the wonderful team at Stoke Mandeville hospital who, after just over a year of care, ensured he was well enough to return home. Matt too has met some inspiring individuals on his journey back to normality such as Paul Tiana & Jonah Lomu. He returned home in june this year & is currently enjoying life in his re-renovated barn.

Matt is currently taking on different roles as he tries to regain his independence. He is now writing a column for the Leicester Mercury’s Sporting Green, helps out with coaching at Oakham rugby club & he hopes to one day contribute heavily to spinal research.

Without question, Matt is an incredible young man. He is an Inspiration & motivation to everyone who knows his story. It seems like nothing is too big a challenge for Hambo & with his determination & a little luck, the world really is still very much at his feet.

That is the sort of thing ur dad is worried about, & it happens, injuries can be less worse than that, but their still injuries & they can still do serious & permanent damage, ur dad is just being a dad.

If u really really want to get into rugby then l suggest first off u look at tigers training days, u train with professional coach is & they r aged 8 - 18 so u will be with ur own age group. They're a bit expensive, but well worth it if u can afford it.

Here is the link: http://tigers.co.uk/34_17.php

M