I didn't think it appropriate that i broach this subject on the other topics. Whilst it may seem inapproriate i do feel that it needs to be raised.

Given the terribly sad news of another player death, it has to be questioned what is going on that is causing all these health problems. In particular Wakefield have had one death from heart failure, close to loosing another on the operating table from a heart related incident and now this.

Does anyone know if there is an RFL policy which tests players for heart related illnesses? I heard Robbie Paul on the super league show say that all players have reaction tests to monitor head injuries.

I for one would hate for another loss especially if it could be prevented before hand.

Wakefield have had a recent history with health problems, but tbh, I think it's highly inappropriate to speculate on whats caused these deaths.

I also think, its even more inappropriate to comment on it so close to the death of another young player.

I am not speculating and i feel terribly for the wakefiled club. I personally believe the incidents are completely unrelated.

What i am saying is that tomorrow hundreds of players will be returning to training and within the week a full round of games will have been completed. What i am asking is have players had sufficient testing given the significant impact of the game and if not is it now time to impliment it sooner rather than later.

Tragic as it may be, something should be done... the sooner the better!

I think that this thread can continue as long as it is understood that we are talking generally, without reference to Leon Walker and not making any assumptions regarding his passing. It might seem a little early and a little raw to be having this discussion, but I think that it can be held seriously and respectfully.

We do know that there have been several document cases of athletes dying suddenly - Roy Powell and Karl Marriott; Adam Watene; Antonio Puerta, Marc Vivien Foé and Terry Yorath's son Daniel in soccer. Here are two articles regarding screening and whether it would be beneficial. I'm unsure how the RFL's screening compares.

[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7488119.stmBBC: Sporting 'heart screening' call[/url
[url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2351346.eceTimes: Better cardiac screening provides no guarantees[/url

It did cross my mind that with all the supplements that are used to legally enhance performance and speed up recovery , all of which are approved by the RFL , what sort of monitoring of these are carried out over the longer term.

Now more sport athletes are taking these at an early age is their any significant risk to their health over the course of their career?

It is still a mystery as to what has actually happened, some sites are reporting a suspected heart attack and on a few sites a broken neck has been reported. If it is a heart attack then i feel that the RFL need to look into this further maybe but just not yet.

It's very difficult to comment as there could be any number of causes for these tragically early deaths.

According to a colleague of mine who's partner has a heart defect these sort of things can be very hard to detect. In this case the bloke concerned had no idea he had a defect until he experienced his heart suddenly beating at 250bpm. Luckily for him his heart righted itself but this sometimes doesn't happen and leads to tragic results. He's since been fitted with an internal defibrilator.

So very very sad but as Bullseye says sometimes, if it was a heart problem, these things can remain hidden until a random moment and this could be the fittest, heathiest player on the field.

I just hope that the RFL get the usual help from the Cardiac Research Institute and are able to track down what did happen if it was heart related and we can make sure we do are best as a Sport to look after our players who put their body on the line everytime they train and play. At the end of the day though sadly this could be another problem that no amount of screening could have picked up.

God only knows how Wakefield as a Club must be feeling just now.



It certainly puts a lot into perspective doesn't it.

Quote ="Bullseye"It's very difficult to comment as there could be any number of causes for these tragically early deaths. According to a colleague of mine who's partner has a heart defect these sort of things can be very hard to detect. In this case the bloke concerned had no idea he had a defect until he experienced his heart suddenly beating at 250bpm. Luckily for him his heart righted itself but this sometimes doesn't happen and leads to tragic results. He's since been fitted with an internal defibrilator.'" But given the lads involvement with the England youth team surely he would have been screened as link below. www.c-r-y.org.uk/RFL_Screening_report.htm When my lad was involved in the England U15 training squad - this was done over 2 full days with all the squad involved - if you missed the testing - you were out of the squad.

Quote ="Bullseye"It's very difficult to comment as there could be any number of causes for these tragically early deaths. According to a colleague of mine who's partner has a heart defect these sort of things can be very hard to detect. In this case the bloke concerned had no idea he had a defect until he experienced his heart suddenly beating at 250bpm. Luckily for him his heart righted itself but this sometimes doesn't happen and leads to tragic results. He's since been fitted with an internal defibrilator.'" But given the lads involvement with the England youth team surely he would have been screened as link below. www.c-r-y.org.uk/RFL_Screening_report.htm When my lad was involved in the England U15 training squad - this was done over 2 full days with all the squad involved - if you missed the testing - you were out of the squad.