Rugby Codes Research Group (RCRG) - Interdisciplinary Research
Established in February 2010 to integrate rugby-related research findings and inform holistic advancement of practice within the rugby codes.
Interdisciplinary with collaborators from injury prevention, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, coaching, psychology, performance analysis, management and business, epidemiology, physiotherapy, medicine, nursing.
- Global Rugby Health Research Group focuses on sport originated brain injury (SOBI) (see Traumatic Brain Injury Network for details), and musculoskeletal injury – led by Professor Patria Hume, Dr Doug King, and Dr Karen Hind.
- Navigating Two Worlds project focuses on Pacific contribution to leadership within the New Zealand rugby system – led by Professor Lesley Ferkins and Gaye Bryham.
Our research
- We are part of the Traumatic Brain Injury Network and are researching ways that are contributing to brain health.
- Concussions and impact studies for rugby code - Dr Doug King
- Head gear impact studies - Dr Elizabeth Bradshaw
- Psychology and social aspects of New Zealand League Academy players - Dr Sarah-Kate Miller
- World Rugby/NZR/AUT NZ RugbyHealth project - Professor Patria Hume et al.
- Navigating Two Worlds: Pacific Contribution to Leadership within the New Zealand Rugby System - Associate Professor Lesley Ferkins et al. - Pacific Island Experiences and Contribution to Non-Playing Rugby - Ferkins et al.
- UK Rugby Health study - Dr Karen Hind et al.
- Neuromuscular function and musculoskeletal health in retired rugby players - Ian Entwistle
- Neck strength and spine an neck injury prevention in rugby union and league - Mike Hopkinson
- Keoi University Rugby and Blues Rugby research project - Dr Sayumi Iwamoto et al.
- Meaning and sensemaking in high performance sport - John Paul Alder
- U.S. Rugby 7's injury - Dr Victor Lopez Jr
- Lower-extremity symmetry and ACL injury - Dr Scott Borwn
- RuFIT study - Dr Ralph Maddison
- Wearable resistance training - Kim Simperingham
- Japan rugby codes research presentations - Professor Patria Hume et al.
- Rugby Club Capability: Developing Rugby Club Capability across Wider Auckland through Board Leadership and Governance - Scott Crawford
- Secondary School Rugby: Testing actions to redress declining participation - Chris Barron
- Hume PA, Theadom A, Lewis G, Quarrie K, Brown SR, Hill R et al. A comparison of cognitive function in former rugby union players compared to former non-contact sport players and the impact of concussion history. Sports Medicine. 2016:1-12. doi:10.1007/s40279-016-0608-8.
- Lewis GN, Hume PA, Stravric V, Brown S, Taylor D. NZ Rugby Health study: Motor cortex excitability in retired elite and community level rugby players. New Zealand Medical Journal. 2017;130(1448):34-44.
Grants gained
- A 2-year prospective injury epidemiological analysis of Rugby Sevens in North America
Awarding body: National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE)
Amount and duration: US$250,000 for 2 years)
Principal investigators: Answorth Allen, Victor Lopez, Robert Cantu, Patria Hume, Richard Ma, Meryle Weinstein, Arun Gupta
- Rugby Codes Research Group (RCRG) governance and technology expansion programme
Awarding body: Auckland University of Technology Strategic Research Investment Fund
Amount: NZ$250,000 gained of $540,000 requested
Principal investigators: Lesley Ferkins, Patria Hume, Matt Brughelli. Associate investigators: Roy Nates, Stephen Reay, Enrico Haemmerle, Doug King, Coral Ingley, Nic Gill, Alice Theadom, Gwyn Lewis, Anna Lorimer
- The IRB/NZR/AUT RugbyHealth project
Awarding body: World Rugby (previously International Rugby Board)
Project aim: to better understand the longāterm physical and psychological effects of rugby
- IRB/AUT IRB/AUT/USC/UOA rugby player equipment review
Awarding body: World Rugby
Project aim: to identify products suitable for playing rugby by those who are visually impaired, have hearing disabilities or require prosthetics.
Awards
- AUT University Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences New Emerging Research Team Award in 2012 and commended in the Vice-Chancellor Research Awards
Using research to inform best practice
The Rugby Codes Research Group (RCRG) is part of our interdisciplinary research groups with a common aim: to bring together expertise from varied sport-related disciplines to inform best practice for organisations, teams and players around the world.
Other interdisciplinary research groups
Our people
Co-leaders
Member roles
- RCRG membership
Lesley Ferkins (Chair)
Patria Hume
Doug King - RCRG postgraduate liaison
Lesley Ferkins - RCRG e-Magazine editor
2012-2016 Patria Hume
2017-2018 Nic Gill
2019-present Hannah Wyatt - RCRG grants
Matt Brughelli (Chair)
Lesley Ferkins
Doug King - RCRG media liaison
Andrea Malcolm (AUT media)
Ian Long (NZR) - RCRG liaison with NZ Rugby
Ken Quarrie (NZR)
Nic Gill
Lesley Ferkins - RCRG liaison with NZ Rugby League
Simon Mayhew (NZRL)
Patria Hume
Doug King - RCRG liaison with World Rugby
Ken Quarrie
Become a member
If you would like to become a member of the Rugby Codes Research Group, use the template below (type over the example) and send to patria.hume@aut.ac.nz
RCRG Bio Template Example