By Canadian Press

Rugby again approved as high school sport in Nova Scotia by governing body

Sep 17, 2019 | 8:22 AM

HALIFAX — Rugby is again being approved by the administrative body for high school sports in Nova Scotia after the organization instituted a short-lived ban last spring over safety concerns.

Stephen Gallant, executive director of the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation, says the board of directors voted Friday to reinstate rugby with some changes aimed at making the game safer.

Gallant says the federation worked with Rugby Nova Scotia over the summer to implement changes that include requiring all players to attend a safe-tackling seminar before taking the field.

Other changes include requiring a health professional to be on the sidelines at games, reducing the number of games from 16 to 12, and requiring students to be in Grade 10 before they are allowed to play.

The federation abruptly cancelled the rugby season in April, but received significant resistance from players, officials, and some doctors who questioned the insurance data used to justify the move.

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The sport was reinstated in May after Education Minister Zach Churchill intervened, although it was administered for the remainder of the high school season by Rugby Nova Scotia.

The Canadian Press