BokSmart certifies first Quadriplegic rugby coach
Dan Lombard, a C4/5 Quadriplegic recorded a notable landmark when he became the first quadriplegic rugby coach to attend a BokSmart Safety Course, hosted by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union at Loftus Versfeld last week. However, he is the second wheel-chair bound person to be successfully BokSmart certified.
Lombard, who is currently a coach at the Pretoria Boys High School, was playing rugby back in 2008 when he was catastrophically injured and diagnosed as a C4/5 quadriplegic. He seriously injured himself after he participated in a rugby practice session when he was in matric.
At the practice session he tackled a player and a ruck ensued. Lombard remained on the ground after the ruck and his coach immediately realized that he was seriously injured and summoned help. The coach suspected that Dan had broken his neck. The medics arrived an hour later and Lombard was admitted to the Little Company of Mary hospital where he was diagnosed as a C4/5 quadriplegic. After three months in hospital Dan was discharged.
Lombard received a wheelchair from the Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Player Fund. He is currently in his second year studying psychology at the University of Pretoria.
“This is a great initiative from the South African Rugby Union, and my only regret was that I would have loved to have done this BokSmart course before I sustained my injury,” said Lombard.
“But I highly recommend that every rugby coach makes the effort to become BokSmart certified. This course gives one further insight into the dangers of how to deal with catastrophic injuries sustained in rugby.”
Quadriplegic former referee Clinton Pietersen became the first wheelchair-bound person to be successfully certified as a BokSmart trainer in November last year. He became disabled as the result of a freak motor vehicle accident in 2004 and attended a regional BokSmart workshop in George that was hosted by the South Western Districts (SWD).
“Hopefully with the BokSmart programme, we can ensure that few players have to experience what Dan has at such a young age,” said BokSmart Project Manager Wayne Viljoen.
“However, it is really good to see that Dan is still actively involved in the game and playing such a positive role. Dan and all the players catastrophically injured on the rugby fields before him, are the reason why BokSmart has come about, and if everyone involved in the game performs their role properly we can make a meaningful difference in curtailing these kinds of injuries.”
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