From A&E To The Touchline I Dr Tina Newton I ForceField Podcast

What really happens when rugby injuries walk through the doors of A&E? In this powerful episode of the @ForceField Podcast, Joanna Fletcher sits down with Consultant Paediatrician Dr Tina Newton from Birmingham Children's Hospital to connect two worlds that don’t often speak to each other: the emergency department and the rugby pitch.From broken bones to concussions, Dr Newton shares what she sees day in, day out in A&E… and what it reveals about how we prepare (or don’t prepare) young athletes for contact sport.But this isn’t just about injury. It is about something deeper. 👉 Why young players feel invincible—and why that can be dangerous 👉 Why concussion is still misunderstood 👉 Why physical fitness alone isn’t enough 👉 And why the brain—not just the body—needs to be trained for rugby Together, we explore a shift that is starting to happen in sport from focusing purely on power and performance… to recognising the missing piece: protection. You will hear real stories, honest reflections, and practical insights on: Injury prevention in youth rugby Concussion awareness and brain health The role of mental readiness and focus Why breath and nervous system regulation matter on the pitch How coaches, parents, and players can work together to reduce injury risk This conversation is for: 🏉 Players who want to perform better and stay injury-free 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents who feel quietly anxious about rugby 🏫 Coaches looking to build safer, smarter training environments 💡 Anyone interested in the future of sport and athlete wellbeing Because rugby isn’t going away. But how we prepare for it… can and should change. 🎧 Listen now and be part of the shift.