TRURO, N.S. – Coach Meghan MacEachern’s students will walk onto the rugby pitch once more after all.
The province ordered the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation Friday its previous decision to halt all high school rugby in the province.
“I’m thrilled,” said MacEachern. “I’m really excited for the players to have a chance to continue playing the game they love.”
The NSSAF banned rugby on the grounds of insurance costs and sport safety on May 2, provoking an outcry and even protests from rugby players and coaches in Halifax.
However, the experience left a bitter aftertaste for MacEachern and her students at Cobequid Educational Centre.
“It was incredibly frustrating having to explain to the players and having difficult conversations when we did not have the answer ourselves,” said MacEachern, who has coached rugby for 10 years.
She said rugby was banned as the NSSAF’s data showed an increased risk of concussion compared to other sports, even though medical professionals were skeptical of such a measure.
A rally supporting high school rally will held Sunday at the Farnham Mill Rugby Park, home of the Truro Saints.
The NS senior women’s team is still meeting New Brunswick as planned at 1:30 p.m. followed by a men’s match at 3:30 p.m. on May 5.
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