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Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
British youths warned not to take part in trend after Kiwi teenager is killed in controversial game - but UK stars 'support it'
British teenagers have been warned not to take part in a dangerous trend that has led to the tragic death of a New Zealand teenager. The rugby-style tackling game has become popular online in recent months but with deadly consequences. In the game, two players charge head first towards each other over a 20-metre 'battlefield' without any protective equipment or kit. It has become a social media sensation, with organisers touting it as 'the world's fiercest new combat sport'. The aim of the game involves one player trying to tackle and take a rugby ball that their opponent is holding. The rules of the controversial game state: 'Victory belongs tot he one who dominates the collision', but for some players, it has resulted in their premature death. On Monday night a 19-year-old Kiwi man died after suffering a serious head injury in a game inspired by the controversial 'Run It Straight' trend. Ryan Satterthwaite from northern New Zealand passed away on after taking part in the full-contact collision game on Sunday afternoon. Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, (pictured) from New Zealand died after suffering a serious head injury in a game inspired by the controversial 'Run It Straight' trend Manawatū Police Inspector Ross Grantham confirmed the young man was playing an impromptu tackle game with friends when the injury occurred. He was taken to hospital by his friends, but could not be saved. The game has been championed by former England rugby player George Burgess, 33 who won £9,500 after competing in a tournament in Australia, according to The Mirror. Burgess who played his last game in the NRL for St George Illawarra three years ago and won 15 caps for England between 2013 and 2018, squared off against giant former winger, Nadolo, who stands at a towering 195cm and weighs approximately 136kg. Nadolo, who was born in Fiji, was capped 30 times for his home country, scoring a whopping 206 points and was renowned for his physicality. Neuroscientist Dr Helen Murray has called the game unacceptably risky. 'There is clearly a high risk of head injury in this event. There's no attempt to reduce head acceleration, so I do not support it,' she told the NZ Herald. Professor Patria Hume, an expert in sports science and injury prevention, said the sport is 'a step backwards'. 'This is a reckless and dangerous spectacle,' she said. 'The science is clear – repeated head impacts increase risk of long-term brain damage.' Run It Straight's founder, Christian Lesa, said community support remains strong despite backlash and stated the game should only be played under strict conditions. Sports star Burgess defended the concept, calling it a safe simulation of past combat. Event spokesperson Billy Coffey said organised competitions involve waivers, pre- and post-medicals, and on-site ambulances. He claimed it gives former athletes a chance to 'get off the couch' and reconnect with their competitive spirit.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Teenager dead after taking part in latest collision sport that health experts want BANNED for being too dangerous
A 19-year-old New Zealand man has died after suffering a serious head injury in a game inspired by the controversial 'Run It Straight' trend. Ryan Satterthwaite from Palmerston North passed away on Monday night after taking part in the full-contact collision activity on Sunday afternoon. Manawatū Police Inspector Ross Grantham confirmed the young man was playing an impromptu tackle game with friends when the injury occurred. He was rushed to hospital by his mates, but could not be saved. 'This was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event,' Grantham told the NZ Herald. 'While this is not a criminal matter, police will continue to make inquiries on behalf of the Coroner.' The tackle format, based on the rising 'Run It Straight' phenomenon, involves two people charging at each other with no protective gear. It has become a social media sensation, with organisers touting it as 'the world's fiercest new combat sport.' One defender and one runner meet at high speed on a narrow 20-metre field. 'Victory belongs to the one who dominates the collision,' the sport's website claims. Despite the hype, the death has sparked renewed calls for the sport to be banned. Health professionals say the event ignores decades of head injury prevention research. Neuroscientist Dr Helen Murray called it an unacceptable risk. 'There is clearly a high risk of head injury in this event. There's no attempt to reduce head acceleration, so I do not support it,' she told the NZ Herald. Professor Patria Hume, an expert in sports science and injury prevention, said the sport is 'a step backwards.' 'This is a reckless and dangerous spectacle,' she said. 'The science is clear – repeated head impacts increase risk of long-term brain damage.' Australian neurologist Dr Alan Pearce echoed that sentiment. 'It's insanity. You're removing the skill and strategy and replacing it with blunt force.' Run It Straight-style events have recently been staged in Auckland and Melbourne, drawing significant crowds and online attention. At one recent Auckland event, three of eight competitors left injured, including two with concussion symptoms. Clips of brutal hits and knockouts have gone viral, fuelling online popularity. But the death of Ryan Satterthwaite has thrown a sharp spotlight on safety. His name has since been shared widely online, with tributes flowing from friends and family. 'Rest easy brother Ryan Satterthwaite,' one wrote. Another added: 'So sorry to hear this, especially for the beautiful family I know going through this tragic event.' Satterthwaite worked at Mainfreight Transport in Palmerston North and was described as kind and humble. Meanwhile, a planned Run It Straight event in Auckland was cancelled after organisers failed to secure permits. Local board chair Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich said safety fears played a key role in the decision. 'The local board opposes this event for reasons of safety,' he said. Organisers had not applied to Auckland Council for formal approval. Auckland Council later confirmed that the event would likely not have been approved. Run It Straight's founder, Christian Lesa, said community support remains strong despite backlash. 'When the community's there, loving it like I do, it means a lot,' he said. But many experts remain concerned about the risks. Dr Pearce said hundreds of retired footballers now suffer the effects of brain trauma. 'To take the most violent aspect of sport and glorify it – I was speechless,' he said. Despite criticism, some athletes and public figures have endorsed the event. Former NRL star George Burgess defended the concept, calling it a safe simulation of past combat. Event spokesperson Billy Coffey said organised competitions involve waivers, pre- and post-medicals, and on-site ambulances.
RNZ News
7 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Head knocks and ultra-violence: Viral games Run It Straight and Power Slap put sports safety back centuries
By Christopher Yorke, Jeremy Sleiman and Michelle O'Shea * of A Run it Straight round. The dangers of the controversial new high impact game are being considered across the ditch. Photo: runitstraight24 Opinion - Created in Australia, 'Run It Straight' is a new, ultra-violent combat sport. Across a 20 x 4 metre grassed "battlefield," players charge at full speed toward one another. Alternating between carrying the ball (ball runner) and defending (tackler), victory is awarded via knockout (a competitor cannot continue), or a judge's decision based on an athlete's dominance during the collisions. Despite neuroscientists issuing grave warnings about the brutal sport's risks , Run It Straight's viral popularity, including endorsement among high profile athletes, is accelerating. This month, Melbourne hosted the inaugural RUNIT Championship League event. Footage showed some participants convulsing after their collisions as the winner celebrated, surrounded by children. Drawing hundreds of spectators and millions of online views, the full-speed collision challenge is already turning its violence and social media footprint into commercial success abroad, securing interest in the United States. The sport held some events in New Zealand this week, but one was was halted by Auckland Council due to safety concerns and failure to secure necessary permits. In ancient times, symbolic cultural displays of power and physical dominance featured in combat sports such as wrestling, boxing, pankration (a mixed martial art combining boxing and wrestling) and even armoured foot races. This brutal entertainment is reflected in contemporary collision sports such as the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australian Football League (AFL). In recent decades however, the danger of concussion has resulted in most contact sports changing rules and regulations to protect athletes from head injuries. Various measures have been implemented to mitigate, eliminate and treat head trauma. The Australian government is exerting influence and committing material resources to support athletes living with brain issues such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Considering this multi-pronged effort to make contact sports safer, the violence of Run It Straight is jarring. With its origins as a social media challenge, Run It Straight is perfect content for short-form social media platforms: an entire competition can be distilled into a 30-second highlight. Run It Straight's accessible and minimalist format is also attractive to fans compared to many collision sports that have complex rules and strategies. This can be a barrier to interest, engagement and commercial returns. Run It Straight and other emerging, violent sports such as Power Slap (a fight sport where contestants slap each other so hard they can be knocked unconscious) are simplistic and brutal. But athletes in most traditional collision sports use their physical ability and skill to evade contact. Similarly, boxing is not just about strikes to the head, it is punch evasion, physical fitness and point scoring. Two men were knocked out during a Run It Straight event in Auckland on 21 May. Photo: RNZ screenshot / Jonty Dine But the visual spectacle and shock of two people running toward one another for an inevitable collision is a form of violence that appeals to an increasing number of sport fans. Run It Straight is a new sport, and to our knowledge there is no empirical peer-reviewed research focusing on it. But many neurologists have expressed concerns about its total disregard for scientific evidence showing repeated head trauma damages brain health . With Run it Straight appearing to lack the medical resources and infrastructure of professional sports organisations, and with the competition's expressed intent to have participants collide at high speed, the risk of significant injury is high . Power Slap, though, has been the subject of empirical research . A 2024 study reported many of the sport's combatants showed visible signs of concussion (motor incoordination, slowness to get up and blank and vacant looks during bouts). The rise of Run It Straight and Power Slap creates a unique opportunity for the governing bodies of contact codes such as AFL, NRL and rugby union to highlight what sets them apart. Key to this is athlete safety. For years, governing bodies in these codes have invested time and resources to implement concussion management protocols at professional and community levels. Currently, the tournament-based format for individual adult participants allows Run It Straight to operate without the broader governance responsibilities of football codes. However, it is because of those governance responsibilities that the football codes can amplify their athlete well-being credentials to reassure participants and parents who may be nervous about concussion risks. Second, the football codes are organised team sports played with multiple players on a team, facilitating skill acquisition, teamwork, mental well-being and physical fitness. While there appears to be a degree of camaraderie during Run It Straight events, it is evidently a one-on-one competition. Ultimately, the rise and evident popularity of Run It Straight and Power Slap provides a stark reminder there will always be a section of society that is drawn to high-risk behaviours. In turn, the football codes should look to highlight the value of balance and their athlete well-being credentials. This story was originally published on The Conversation. * Christopher Yorke is a lecturer in sport management at Western Sydney University; Jeremy Sleiman is a lecturer in Sport Management at Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) and a research assistant at Western Sydney University; Michelle O'Shea is a senior lecturer at the School of Business at Western Sydney University Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
