Latest news with #Satterthwaite
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
New Zealand Rugby issue statement after teenager dies in 'freak accident' during game
New Zealand Rugby issue statement after teenager dies in 'freak accident' during game The 19-year-old died in hospital after suffering a 'serious head injury' New Zealand Rugby have stepped in following the death of Ryan Satterthwaite (Image: Clive Rose - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images ) New Zealand Rugby have issued a statement after a teenager died in what his family says was a "freak accident" while playing a rugby-style tackling game. Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, died in hospital on Monday after suffering a "serious head injury" while playing a game of 'run it straight' with friends in the city of Palmerston North. The game - which has recently gone viral online - sees two players, one with a ball and the other the tackler, charge at each other at full speed with no protective gear, in order to try and knock each other down. While it has been played casually in Australia and New Zealand for years, videos of the game have recently clocked up tens of millions of views on TikTok and Instagram and has been endorsed by some professional rugby players. Official tournaments have also been held, with one such event - the Runit Championship League - being held in Auckland earier this month, with a prize of around $20,000 up for grabs. Now, New Zealand Rugby have stepped in to not only extend its condolences to Mr Satterthwaite, but urge others not to take part in the viral challenge. 'New Zealand Rugby extends heartfelt condolences to Ryan Satterthwaite's whānau and community,' a statement from the governing body read. 'We urge people not to take part in Run It Straight games or competitions as they carry significant risk of serious injury. 'Those wanting to play contact sports should register for a school or club team and learn in a controlled and safe environment how to tackle safely and the art of evasion.' All Blacks star Ardie Savea has admitted that he used to play the game with his brother growing up, but has urged those considering taking part in the challenge to "be safe". '(My message) first and foremost is condolences to the young brother that passed away and his family. It's never nice hearing that, obviously,' he told reporters. 'I just obviously don't want anyone getting hurt and losing lives. I'm just encouraging everyone to be safe and condolences to our brother and his family.' 'It's a tough one. I don't know the precautions they take in terms of the head side of things and you can see the other side and understand why they're doing it and whatnot," Savea added. 'It's hard because it's kind of made me the rugby player I am – I used to do run it straights in the backyard with Bus (his brother Julian) – so you kind of see both sides." Mr Satterthwaite's uncle, Peter Satterthwaite, told the Herald that his rugby player nephew was a "top kid" who 'would do anything for anybody" as he paid tribute to him. 'Pleasant and polite, one of those kids that would open the door for you, say please and thank you - and it's hard to come by on some of the teenagers these days,' he said. '[He and his friends] knew about the game, thought it'd be good fun to play. It was just a freak accident and he hit his head. 'They got concerned for he was conscious at the start, and he was talking to his friends, and then he just, as such, started going downhill," he added. Article continues below In a statement made earlier this week, Manawatu Area Commander Inspector and police spokesperson Ross Grantham said: 'This young man's death is an absolute tragedy and my thoughts are with his family and friends. 'The tackle game … was based on a social media-driven trend, where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear. "While this was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event, this tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity."
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks to Newstalk ZB's Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills
Christopher Luxon is joining Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills live in studio as he reaches the halfway point of his three-year term as leader. The Prime Minister will be live on air from 10am. You can listen here: Luxon was sworn in as Prime Minister in November 2023, after National secured 38% of the vote at the general election. He negotiated a three-way coalition agreement with New Zealand First and ACT. As part of that agreement, the leaders of the two parties, Winston Peters and David Seymour, are sharing the deputy prime minister role for half of the parliamentary term each. This week marks the midpoint for the three-year parliamentary term. Mills is expected to ask Luxon how he feels he's tracking in the top job, as well as how his government is addressing Wellington-specific issues. The pair will also discuss the recent death of Palmerston North teenager Ryan Satterthwaite, who died after taking part in a private 'run it straight' game on Sunday. The 19-year-old was taken to Palmerston North Hospital with severe head injuries. His life support was turned off on Monday. Satterthwaite's grieving family say his death was an 'accident waiting to happen' and have urged others to stop taking part in the social media-driven trend. Speaking to the Herald, his uncle Peter Satterthwaite said Ryan was a 'top kid' who loved his mates, enjoyed playing rugby, and 'would do anything for anybody.' He said 'run it straight' was simply a 'stupid idea'. 'Just don't do it. A little bit of fun has lifelong consequences.' Satterthwaite said it was 'disgraceful' the events are being promoted as a sport, and is calling on the All Blacks, Warriors, and other high-profile sportspeople to publicly speak out against it. 'People don't listen to us, we're just Joe Bloggs, but they [the public] idolise our sportspeople.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Teenager dies after taking part in rugby-inspired ‘Run it Straight' craze
Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, has died as a result of his injuries - Instagram A teenager has died in New Zealand after taking part in a rugby-based craze that has been described as 'bull-rush on steroids'. Ryan Satterthwaite, who was 19 and from Palmerston North, suffered a serious head injury after being tackled during an impromptu version of the 'Run it Straight' challenge. Advertisement Satterthwaite, an employee of Mainfreight Transport, was taken to hospital by friends but died on Monday night. 'This young man's death is an absolute tragedy and my thoughts are with his family and friends,' said Ross Grantham, the area commander for Police Manawatu. 'The tackle game played by the group of friends was based on a social media-driven trend, where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear. 'We would urge anyone thinking about taking part in a game or event like this to consider the significant safety and injury risks. While this is not a criminal matter, police will continue to undertake inquiries on behalf of the coroner.' Advertisement Recent weeks have seen a rise in the number of organised Run it Straight events in which competitors face off in high-octane, one-on-one tackle situations. The intensity and violence led to The New Zealand Herald describing them as 'bull-rush on steroids'. Perhaps the highest profile event is the RUNIT Championship League, which has given away 20,000 Australian dollars in prize money at various events in Australia and New Zealand. Players begin at either end of a 20-metre runway before charging towards one another, with the victor determined as the one who judges believe to have prevailed in the collision. Advertisement RUNIT staged an exhibition clash in Melbourne between Nemani Nadolo, the former Fiji and Leicester Tigers wing, and George Burgess, the ex-England rugby league international and brother of Sam. Videos have circulated of competitors appearing to be knocked out and there has been vehement criticism from medical professionals and researchers. Patria Hume, an injury prevention expert and sports scientist at Auckland University of Technology, lamented Satterthwaite's fatal accident as a 'preventable' milestone. 'It is very clear from the number of concussions from the small number of 'running-at-each-other events' that have occurred, that this is going to result in death,' she said. Advertisement 'Unfortunately it takes a death to make people take notice and to stop these high-injury-risk activities. 'Ryan's death was preventable. We need people to stop participating in activities where the intention is to hurt someone.' A spokesperson for RUNIT called Satterthwaite's death 'a tragic event'. 'Any contact sport like boxing, martial arts or combat-style activities should only be held in highly controlled environments, which include professional medical supervision and support,' they told The New Zealand Herald. 'All RUNIT events follow established protocols including screening of participants for suitability, strict guidelines around where and how to tackle [between the shoulders and hips only], with qualified medical support and medical assessments conducted both during and after competition. Advertisement 'We do not encourage any copying of the sport as it should only be done under the strict conditions outlined above in sanctioned RUNIT events.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
New Zealand teenager dies playing ‘run it straight' challenge linked to viral trend
'Teenagers aren't good at assessing risk and consequences, and he was just having fun with his friends. It's just an absolute tragedy.' Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham said Satterthwaite suffered a serious head injury when tackled and was taken to hospital by his friends. 'The tackle game played by the group of friends was based on a social media-driven trend, where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear. While this was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event, this tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity.' Grantham said police urged anyone thinking about taking part in a game or event like this to 'consider the significant safety and injury risks'. 'While this is not a criminal matter, police will continue to undertake enquiries on behalf of the coroner,' he said. 'Born to go viral' The run it straight game originated overseas, through the Australian-based RUNIT Championship League competition. 'Born to go viral, built to break limits, it has taken social media by storm with tens of millions of views,' RUNIT's website says. The competition is built around actions seen in rugby union, rugby league, the NFL and AFL. Opposing individuals – a ball runner and a tackler – stand at each end of a 20m x 4m field, and run full speed at each other with the goal of trying to bowl each other over. 'It is very clear from the number of concussions from the small number of running-at-each-other events that have occurred that this is going to result in a death.' Patria Hume, AUT RUNIT Championship League released a statement to Stuff on Tuesday afternoon after news of Satterthwaite's death was made public, saying it did 'not encourage any copying of the sport as it should only be done under the strict conditions'. 'This is tragic news, and our hearts go out to the family and friends of Ryan. Any contact sport like boxing, martial arts or combat-style activities should only be held in highly controlled environments, which include professional medical supervision and support.' The statement went on to say 'all RUNIT events follow established protocols including screening of participants for suitability, strict guidelines around where and how to tackle (between the shoulders and hips only), with qualified medical support and medical assessments conducted both during and after competition'. Two RUNIT trials were held at Trusts Arena in West Auckland last week, which saw one man's body convulse on the ground after being hit, and another knocked out. Loading Patria Hume, professor of Human Performance at AUT, said those organising 'run it straight' events were buying brains and bodies for entertainment with 'no thought for the healthcare of the athletes'. 'It is very clear from the number of concussions from the small number of running-at-each-other events that have occurred that this is going to result in a death.' Two similar events, called Run It Straight, were expected to be held in Mangere and Mt Albert in Auckland, but were cancelled after organisers failed to secure any permits, despite telling social media they were not allowed by 'council' and 'parliament'.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Teen Rugby player dies after "run it straight" game: Why is it important for players to follow safety rules?
A 19-year-old New Zealander, Ryan Satterthwaite, tragically died after sustaining a severe head injury during a game known as "run it straight." This viral challenge, popularized on social media, involves two individuals charging at each other at full speed without protective gear, mimicking rugby-style tackles. The incident occurred in Palmerston North, and despite immediate medical attention, Satterthwaite succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. "We would urge anyone thinking about taking part in a game or event like this to consider the significant safety and injury risks," police spokesperson Ross Grantham said in a statement on Tuesday. "While this was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event, this tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity," he told BBC. What is "run it straight"? "Run it straight" has long been played casually in Australia and New Zealand but has recently gained traction online, with videos showing young men and students engaging in the risky activity. Some clips depict participants passing out after collisions, raising concerns about the game's safety. Despite warnings from critics about potential head trauma and brain injuries, the challenge has been endorsed by some professional rugby players. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo "Run it straight" might look like harmless fun to some—a test of toughness where two players charge at each other, no sidesteps, no hesitation, just full-on collision. But it's exactly this kind of setup that makes it extremely risky, especially without the proper safety measures in place. For rugby players, or anyone tempted to try this viral challenge, following some critical safety rules is non-negotiable if you want to protect yourself and others. First and foremost, protective gear is essential. In professional rugby, players wear mouthguards and, in some cases, soft-padded headgear. Even though 'run it straight' often happens in casual settings, the impact force in such challenges can be just as intense as in real matches. Wearing at least a mouthguard and some head protection can significantly reduce the risk of concussions, knocked-out teeth, or jaw injuries. Warm-up is another non-negotiable. Charging full-speed into another person with cold, stiff muscles is a recipe for torn ligaments and strains. Like any high-impact sport, proper stretching and mobility exercises should be done beforehand. It's not just about performance—it's about injury prevention. Consent and communication are key. Both players must be fully aware of what's going on and agree to the terms. Surprising someone or forcing them into a challenge without proper preparation or willingness is dangerous and irresponsible. Set clear boundaries—how hard you'll go, what techniques are allowed, and when to stop. Technique matters. Rugby players are taught how to tackle and be tackled safely. Keeping your head on the correct side, using your shoulders, bending your knees, and engaging your core all help absorb the impact while protecting the neck and spine. Random 'run it straight' matches often ignore technique, which dramatically increases the risk of spinal injuries and concussions. Supervision and environment play a big role too. These challenges shouldn't happen in random fields, parking lots, or concrete surfaces. If you're going to do it, make sure you're on soft turf or padded areas, and ideally under the watch of someone experienced in first aid or sports medicine. Lastly, know when to stop. One hit too many can cause long-term damage. If someone looks dazed, dizzy, or hurt after a hit, stop immediately and get them checked out. It's not about showing off—it's about staying safe while playing hard. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
