St George Illawarra Dragons captain Ben Hunt’s immediate future at the club is up in the air as it was reported he was given permission to negotiate with rival clubs for the 2026 season. Ironically this time last year, it was Ben Hunt who wanted to move home to Queensland to finish his decorated career, before Head coach Shane Flanagan stepped in and insisted he finish his contract at the Red V. The club’s decision comes after the Dragons failed to reach their first finals appearance in six years despite being in poll position to qualify with three weeks remaining…
Author: Jack Rothfield
The cost-of-living crisis is hitting community sports hard, with families struggling to pay for extra-curricular activities for children. Saturday morning sports are a huge part of growing-up in Australia, with children getting a chance to improve their gross motor skills, exercise and learn the values of teamwork and comradery by participating in a range sports. However, the financial pinch is impacting junior and local sport with many struggling to make ends meet. Despite the recent decline in participation numbers, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has estimated that Australians spent $18.7 billion on sport and physical pursuits in the 2022-23 financial year,…
Head injuries and concussions are continuing to rise in Australian sport, leading to calls from medical experts for significant rule changes to minimise potential harm. According to the Australian institute of welfare, 83 per cent of all hospitalised intracranial injuries are concussions. In between 2020 and 2021, there were almost 3100 hospitalisations from sport related concussions. The National Rugby League competition has been in damage control for a few years in relation to serious sports injuries. It is constantly experimenting with rule changes and has introduced independent doctors to every match day, however in 2023 there were 12 more concussions…
With more than 90 deaths on NSW’s roads already recorded this year, the recently announced NSW Road Safety program could not come at a better time for drivers in the state. In addition, last year there were 354 fatal road crashes, according to Transport NSW, a 28 per cent increase since 2021, when there were just 275 fatalities. In a statement, The Australian and NSW Governments announced a $540 million investment to improve safety and reduce crashes on NSW roads. “The Program seeks to improve road safety by minimising the occurrence of severe injuries and fatalities, with a focus on…
Rugby league lock forward Kevin Harbridge has had more than his fair share of contact in the sport, suffering a staggering seven concussions over a two-and-a-half-year period. The last one was a tackle he had made numerous times – but it all went horribly wrong when his head turned in the wrong position. Harbridge was left badly concussed and stumbled to the ground, dizzy and disorientated. Looking back on that moment, all that he remembers is the fear and uncertainty. Would this be the end of his days in a football jersey, or worse, could it impact his life in…