What is Rugby Canada PlaySmart?
Putting Players First.


Rugby Canada PlaySmart is a Player Welfare program that aims to educate players, parents, coaches, match officials and administrators on the safety of rugby across Canada.

The health and safety of every player across the country is of paramount importance and Rugby Canada strives to ensure a safe playing environment at all levels. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that all players are protected and ensure that the game is played safely.

As of February 1st 2016, in the interest of player safety, Rugby Canada will be implementing the Rugby Canada PlaySmart program, which recommends that everyone involved at all levels of the game complete the following:

  • World Rugby RugbyReady
  • World Rugby Concussion Management for the General Public

It is a requirement of Rugby Canada and its Provincial Unions that all club coaches and match officials are registered with Rugby Canada. As a registered member of Rugby Canada, the following modules must be completed online every 12 months:

Rugby Canada Registered Club Coaches

  • World Rugby RugbyReady
  • World Rugby Concussion Management for the General Public

Rugby Canada Registered Match Officials

  • World Rugby RugbyReady
  • World Rugby Concussion Management for the General Public
  • World Rugby Laws of the Game

Coaches and their associated medical therapists are encouraged where possible to complete Rugby Canada’s online player injury forms so that injury trends can be recorded and managed to make the game safer.

Rugby Canada recommends that everyone involved with youth rugby have a current criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check as required by his or her provincial unions.

To support an enhanced player welfare program Rugby Canada will offer World Rugby Level 1 First Aid in Rugby courses across the country. This course is designed to familiarize participants on the management of injuries associated with rugby.

In addition, to promote safe on field rugby techniques, Rugby Canada will offer core skills training in the form of Professional Development workshops for coaches and match officials by trained facilitators.

On field management of concussion or suspected concussion at training or during a match

Any player with concussion or suspected concussion should be immediately and permanently removed from training or play. Appropriate emergency management procedures must be followed especially if a neck injury is suspected. In this instance the player should only be removed by emergency healthcare professionals with appropriate spinal care training.

Once safely removed, the injured player must not return to any activity that day and should be medically assessed.