Rugby Codes Research Group (RCRG) - Interdisciplinary Research
The Rugby Codes Research Group (RCRG) was established in February 2010 to integrate rugby-related research findings and inform holistic advancement of practice within the rugby codes.
Since its establishment, the group has expanded:
- Its focus - from injury prevention and strength and conditioning to now include coaching, psychology, performance analysis, management and business
- Its members – the group originally included Professors Patria Hume and Will Hopkins and their postgraduate students, specifically Dr Ken Quarrie, Dr Simon Gianotti and Dr Doug King. It now encompasses a diverse team of epidemiologists, biomechanists, physiotherapists, medical doctors, an emergency nurse, professors, senior lecturers and lecturers
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