Viral sport run it straight ‘here to stay' despite teen's death
Organisers of controversial new contact sport RUNIT have declared they are 'here to stay' despite widespread backlash after a teenager died from head injuries suffered in a casual 'run it straight' game with mates.
Ryan Satterthwaite was critically injured while playing an impromptu tackle game with friends last week in Palmerston North, New Zealand.
According to Ryan's uncle, Peter Satterthwaite, his nephew and his friends decided to try it at a 21st birthday celebration on Sunday after seeing the big hits on social media.
'They decided to give it a go because of what they saw on social media and on the news last week about it,' Satterthwaite told Stuff.
Footage of the tackle that resulted in the injuries that would later take the life of Ryan, was given to police.
The video of the tackle in question reportedly didn't even hit his head, instead, it was the jolting motion of the hit that proved fatal.
For years the 'run it straight' trend has sporadically gone viral on social media platforms.
But in recent months it has transformed from a viral social media trend to a fully-fledged sport, with 'Run it Straight Official' and 'RUNIT Championship League' turning it into a business and holding competitions in Australia and New Zealand.
The 'sport' continues to be increasingly controversial due to the violent nature of some of the tackles and the backlash has only intensified after Satterthwaite passed away.
But Melbourne-based organisation RUNIT – the most high profile and well- of the several organisations staging 'run it straight' challenges – distanced themselves from the tragic incident and declared they aren't going anywhere.
'We do not encourage any copying of the sport as it should only be performed under strict conditions,' a RUNIT spokesperson told Code Sports.
'RUNIT is planning future events over the coming months and will continue to educate our followers on the risks associated.'
And as calls intensified for the sport to be banned RUNIT founder Rennie Lautolo-Molimau wrote 'We're here to stay' in an Instagram story.
The caption was on a screenshot showing that UFC commentator and podcast behemoth Joe Rogan was following their page.
New Zealand government moves to crack down on controversial spot
However, the future of 'run it straight' at least in New Zealand hangs in the balance, with their Government seeking advice on what they can do about the controversial sport.
Sport NZ group chief executive Raelene Castle told the New Zealand Herald it was concerned about the emergence of the sport, 'which clearly comes with significant health and safety risks'.
'Both Sport NZ and High-Performance Sport NZ (HPSNZ) are committed to fostering safe and inclusive activities and events for all New Zealanders.
'We are working to facilitate a cross-agency discussion with those who have an interest in this area on what a Government approach to the operation of combat sport, including the emergence of activities and events like run it straight, in New Zealand could look like.'
Castle strongly advised people against participating in run-it or any activities that encourage high-speed collisions.
While New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon labelled Satterthwaite's death an 'absolute tragedy' on Friday morning and said competing in the viral trend was 'a dumb thing to do'.
'When it's happening at a 21st birthday party unofficially, that is not something the Government can solve through legislation or through regulation,' Luxon said.
'All I can say to young adults who are participating is you've got some personal responsibility in this. You're hearing the advice from the police, from the medical fraternity, from the Government, from principals saying don't do it.
'To the adults that are involved in the more formal organisation of it and are influencing it and leading this out on social media, I think you need to stop and I can't be any clearer.
'The evidence is that it's a dumb thing to do and you should stop.'
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