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. 2021 May 4;7(2):e001018. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2020-001018

Table 2.

Participants’ baseline characteristics

Question/demographic Response Coaches
n (%)
Players
n (%)
School type Private (independent) 87 (82%) 393 (69%)
State (government funded) 19 (18%) 178 (31%)
Participant age Mean Age 37.4 (±10.5) 15.3 (±2.0)
What is your role? Team staff 106 (100%)
 Director of Sport 9 (8%) -
 Head coach/Director of rugby 41 (39%)
 Assistant coach 36 (34%)
 Team manager 13 (12%)
 Conditioning coach 2 (2%)
 Medical practitioner 5 (5%)
Player 571 (100%)
If coaching, how many years coaching experience do you have?
Less than 2 years 13 (13%)
2–3 years 10 (10%)
4–5 years 11 (11%)
6+years 65 (66%)
What is the highest level you have coached?
School/club 54 (55%)
Regional junior academy 14 (14%)
County/constituent body 12 (12%)
Divisional 8 (8%)
Professional 3 (3%)
International 7 (7%)
What is the highest coaching qualification you hold?
RFU level 1 16 (18%)
RFU level 2 38 (42%)
RFU level 3 19 (21%)
RFU level 4 5 (5%)
Other 13 (14%)
When did you obtain this qualification?
Less than 2 years ago 20 (26%)
2–3 years ago 12 (16%)
4–5 years ago 18 (23%)
More than 5 years ago 27 (35%)
What age group do you coach/play in?
Under-12/13 16 (13%) 107 (19%)
Under-14/15 34 (27%) 167 (29%)
Under-16 9 (7%) 26 (5%)
Under-18/19 42 (33%) 271 (47%)
Multiple age groups 5 (4%)
Have you previously played competitive rugby?
No 9 (8%)
Yes 97 (92%)
If yes, what is the highest level you have played?
School 12 (12%)
Age group community club 4 (4%)
Junior academy Rugby 3 (3%)
University 11 (11%)
Adult community club 47 (48%)
Professional 13 (13%)
International 7 (7%)
Do you have a current medical or first aid qualification?
No 30 (28%)
Yes 76 (72%)
Have you ever used a specific programme to reduce your/players injury risk?
No 65 (61%) 401 (70%)
Yes 41 (39%) 170 (30%)
In the past 12 months, have you experienced a rugby injury that caused you to miss a game or training session?
No 244 (43%)
Yes 327 (57%)
If yes, did it cause you to miss school or work for at least 1 day?
No 218 (67%)
Yes 109 (33%)

RFU, Rugby Football Union.