MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
|
|
Ed Said - Wrong place at the wrong time for JordanWith grandsons approaching the age of young rugby player Jordan Kemp, one can only imagine the range of emotions his family must be going through at this time following his sudden death due to an unfortunate rugby injury.
To have an aging family member suffering a terminal illness is one thing, but to wave a fit, young vibrant lad off to join what was a normal weekend rugby game and not see him return home is something else and I’m sure the whole district mourns with his siblings and family. As usual there will be ongoing analysis as to the whys, hows and what ifs connected with this tragedy but how careful can one be in such an intense contact sport? If we translate ‘contact sport’ to ‘dangerous’ then compare the rigours of rugby league along-side rugby union. Cricket also throws up it’s share of broken teeth, broken noses, cheekbones and even the odd eye socket. Netball, too, while not in the same category, is more physical and faster nowadays resulting in numerous knee and ankle injuries and frequent black eyes from errant elbows. Skateboarding along with snowboarding is also fraught with danger and not without fatalities. Add to this base-jumping and a heap of extreme sports including such antics on motorbikes and jetskis that, while incredibly exciting for the spectator and participant alike, all carry varying degrees of a death wish. American football is, in fact, the most dangerous sport in the world in regard to head injuries, despite players wearing copious amounts of protection. However the changes in the game over the past 40 years or so mean gym workouts figure highly in fitness regimes. Players now are anything up to 20kg heavier than those of yesteryear yet are now faster. The object of American Football is to play the opposing man, not the ball, to make the way clear for the ball carrier. Head knocks are common. And head gear, thanks to modern technology, has actually become lighter but not necessarily stronger. Trauma only reveals itself weeks, months or even years later. Heaven forbid that rugby should ever lose its status as our national sport, but accidents are going to happen from time to time. Skin heals, bones mend but in the odd case, as with Jordan Kemp, his fitness, youthful exuberance and love of the game ironically, in a split second, had him at the wrong place at the wrong time with the worst possible outcome. His family have been stoical in recognising his talent as a family member, as a rugby player and a young man of potential and it is treasured memories such as these that they must carry through the mourning period and into the future with the pride of having Jordan as a part of their lives, albeit for far too short a time. Sobering thoughts. - Rob |