Player Welfare
Sutton & Epsom RFC take the welfare of all players, coaches and support staff seriously. We want a healthy and happy environment for all to strive and enjoy our sport. Our coaches ensure players are properly prepared for the demands of playing rugby and we support referees adhering to the playing laws and the protection of our players.
We follow the recommendations and directions from the RFU (https://www.englandrugby.com/play/prepare-play/player-welfare) and World Rugby (https://www.world.rugby/the-game/player-welfare). Via these web resources you can find many links on health and well-being topics such as mental and physical health, exercise and nutrition etc.
INJURIES
When injuries happen Sutton & Epsom RFC want to ensure our players are able to receive appropriate emergency care pitchside, and then have the support to return to training & play at the earliest opportunity. We are incredibly lucky at SERFC as we have an excellent extensive medical team who are supported by a great team of first aiders.
Pitchside Care – when rugby activity is taking place SERFC will ensure there are suitably qualified persons and equipment (in line with the RFU regulations) to render emergency first aid. For adult games the club may also provide a member of the medical team to deliver a higher level of care as required by the RFU.
Injuries are all recorded on the clubs medical record system (online platform provided by an external company called ‘Return to Play’) by the person treating them, and for certain injuries the club may have to report information into the RFU – in these instances this is managed by the clubs medical team.
Depending on the injury the player may be able to immediately return to play, may require some time off field, or they may be removed from play (and for serious injuries required to attend hospital for medical care).
Ongoing Care (non concussion) – depending on the injury, players may be able to undertake some self directed care towards a full recovery. However, for injuries that require further assessment and treatment playing members can book an appointment with the medical team in the sports injury clinics by using the following link (https://calendly.com/suttonrugbymedical/sports-injury-clinic). These appointments are all inclusive as part of membership for club players. Further information can be viewed in the club communication here…
Ongoing Care (concussion) – any suspected concussion or confirmed concussion will be removed from play. At SERFC we commission the services of a company called ‘Return To Play’ (R2P) to manage all concussions, again this is all inclusive as part of membership for club players. Once the injury is recorded on R2P by the person treating the player the player or parent (for Minis and Juniors) will receive an email asking them to book an online appointment with an R2P clinician. At this appointment the clinician will make an assessment and concussion will be confirmed (or not), with advice and guidance being given as to the steps to return to activity and sport. All players will require a final ‘sign off’ appointment with R2P before being allowed to fully return to playing rugby. Parents are responsible for ensuring this medical advice is adhered to both in and outside of rugby for the welfare of their child. Further information can be viewed in the club communication here…
FIRST AIDERS
When injuries occur our players are often initially treated by a first aider to deliver basic emergency care. All of our first aiders are trained to the required RFU standard, have undertaken further training (concussion awareness, safeguarding etc) and are all DBS checked by SERFC.
The RFU stipulate that we must have a certain number of first aiders per number of players during any rugby activity. This number varies depending on age and activity. However, in a large club like SERFC, to be able to achieve requires lots of first aiders! Teams often have a mix of first aiders from managers and coaches, through to parents and helpers. So even if coaching is not your thing, there is still a volunteer role you can help with to support the club! Therefore, if you would like to volunteer as a First Aider – please speak with your team manager or get in touch with our medical advisor Steve Furnell. No experience is required, and courses are run at the club (free of charge!
MENTAL HEALTH
Players sometimes want to talk to someone, and both Eric Duey and Ellie Grove have offered to be players liaisons who are available to chat and not judge. They are both great listeners and will try to help, so please don’t hesitate to approach them.
It is estimated that one in four people will experience a mental health illness each year in the UK, but the links between good physical health and mental health are well recognised. We are a club that aims to look after each other, both on and off the pitch.
Mind is always available 0300 102 1234
WELFARE LEARNING
The RFU have a host of learning material for everyone from parents to players, and coaches to referees.
For club volunteers much of this can be accessed via the new England Rugby E-Learning Portal, that can be accessed via members login on GMS (please ensure you login to GMS first so your records are updated if this is a required aspect of learning). Modules related to welfare (first Aid Awareness, Concussion Awareness, Safeguarding are allocated to your specific profile).
For parents & players there are some other generic learning materials in relation to concussion that can be found on these two excellent resources – Concussion Animation Video and on the HEADCASE webpage. We fully encourage players and their families to take some time to view these materials.
FIRST AID KITS
Every section and age group at SERFC have a number of first aid kits. For minis and juniors the number of kits allows for age grade teams to attend multiple venues on one day. First Aid kits must only contain the items listed within the content list. A number of useful crib sheets to help first aiders are kept in the first aid kits. Ideally these should be printed on A5 card and laminated to be kept in first aid kits. These include:
01 Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool CRT6
02 Saltaps Assessment Tool & Maddocks Questions
03 HEADCASE_PitchsideCards_Nov_24
04 2026 09 Rugby First Aid Kit Checklist v5
First aiders in conjunction with team managers must periodically check the first aid kits to ensure the correct items are in there, and are all ‘in date’. For re-stocking of first aid kits please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SERFC_FirstAid_Items_Resupply_Form
Once received, the medical team will arrange a suitable time for you to collect this equipment.
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