Rugby community urged to raise awareness on Motor Neuron Disease

Former Flying Fijians trainer and current Weightlifting Fiji coach Henry Elder is proposing that extensive awareness on Motor Neuron Disease (MND) be carried out by sports organisations.

An emotional Elder after learning the death of triple international Flying Fijian Filimoni Seru relived his experience of losing his brother who also died after suffering from MND in 2009.

Flying Fijian #416 Filimoni Seru, 55, was living with MND for quite a while before passing away on Wednesday at the Levuka Hospital, Ovalau.

MND is considered rare; repeated head contact in rugby and other contact sports may contribute to long-term brain-related illnesses.

Elder said sporting bodies can only do their best to reduce the risks through proper coaching, safe tackling techniques, physical conditioning, and recovery practices.

“The nature of rugby is contact,” he said.

“There will always be head knocks, head-to-head collisions, elbows, knees, and heavy tackles. No one can fully predict what may happen in the future.”

He added that teaching correct body positioning, safe cleanout techniques and maintaining strong physical conditioning are among the best ways to protect players.

“While there is no guaranteed way to prevent it, awareness and preparation are important,” he said.

He encourages athletes and sporting organisations to educate themselves about MND through reliable medical information and continually promote player welfare and safety at all levels of sport.

“As athletes, coaches, and organisations, we must continue teaching safe sport throughout a player’s career. This can happen to anyone at any time,” he said.

On support for affected athletes, he said organisations and unions should consider providing assistance that helps improve the quality of life for sufferers and caregivers, including medical equipment like wheelchairs and adjustable hospital beds.

“It’s very sad to watch someone who was once full of life slowly lose the ability to do things on their own,” he said.

“My condolences to Fili’s family, his wife Tima, their five children, siblings, families and friends. He gave so much joy to Fiji rugby fans and left behind memories and a legacy that people will never forget.”

Other rugby players who have died from this disease include: legendary South African Springbok scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen and former All Blacks hooker Norm Hewitt to name a few.