Matt Hampson: Make grassroots rugby safer, says paralysed ex-player
- Published
Matt Hampson said he was "really, really chuffed" to be awarded an OBE by the Princess Royal
An ex-player who was paralysed from the neck down has said more needs to be done to make grassroots rugby safer.
Matt Hampson, who was injured in an accident in training in 2005, made the plea after being awarded an OBE.
The former Leicester and England Under-21 prop founded the Matt Hampson Foundation in 2010 to help young people injured playing sport.
The 37-year-old said he was "really, really chuffed" to receive recognition in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Mr Hampson, from Oakham in Rutland, told PA news agency after the ceremony that although playing rugby at a professional level was now "definitely" safer than when he was on the pitch, issues remain for amateur players.
"We should introduce protocols that are in place in the professional game, like having ambulances on site and people with knowledge about what to do in the case of a spinal injury," he said.
Mr Hampson also paid tribute to the Princess Royal, who awarded him the OBE, saying she was "a very approachable, down-to-earth person".
Mr Hampson's charity supports young people who have been seriously injured while playing sport
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, external, Twitter, external, or Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk, external.
- Published31 December 2020
