Brain injury support group appalled 'Run it' collision sport events held in Auckland
Photo:
Supplied / RUNIT CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE via Instagram
A brain injury support group says it is appalled that the controversial collision sport
Run it Straight
is staging events across Auckland.
The activity, which has generated tens-of-millions of views on social media, involves a ball runner and a defender running full speed into each other within a 20 metre zone.
The participant who "dominates" the contact is deemed the winner.
On the RUNIT Championship League homepage, it claimed to be "the future and home of collision sports".
"RUNIT's the world's fiercest, new collision sport. Born to go viral, built to break limits, it has taken social media by storm with tens of millions of views.
"Designed for live crowds and global broadcasts, RUNIT delivers real athletes and the biggest collisions."
The first of several scheduled events in Auckland this week was held on Monday night at Trusts Arena with prize money of up to $20,000 on offer.
Chief executive of the Headway charity Stacey Mowbray said the activity was undoubtedly causing brain injury.
"There's some horrendous and really distressing videos. Going into seizure, having obvious brain injury, that's what we can see," she said.
"We refer to concussions as the invisible injury, so you don't have to see anything initially to have had one."
Mowbray said the format and promotion of the
Run It Straight
events appeared to exploit financially vulnerable people by offering large cash prizes.
"It's so hard to say no to this $20,000 carrot hanging in front of you when people right now are finding life pretty tough," she said.
Despite its burgeoning popularity, the sport has not been without other detractors in other contact codes over its safety and risk.
Former league internationals Dean Lonergan and Mark Carroll have raised concerns over its safety.
After representing both Australia and New South Wales during the 1990s, Carroll revealed in 2023 he had been diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Headway also took aim at the involvement of New Zealand Warriors stand-off Chanel Harris-Tavita, who was a special guest at RUNIT's Auckland trial at Trusts Arena on Monday.
Other league stars, both current and former, have been involved in the promotion of
Run it Straight
, including Melbourne and Kiwi forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona and former South Sydney and Great Britain prop George Burgess.
"We have contacted New Zealand Warriors to express our serious concern about this association and what message this is sending," Mowbray said.
As reported by the
NZ Herald
, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) had also distanced itself from the sport, believing the sport "carried significant risk of serious injury".
Earlier this month, Headway also flagged concerns with Auckland Council, the Mayor's office, elected members and WorkSafe New Zealand about how permits for
Run it Straight
events were issued.
"This is not just a twisted ankle. A concussion, particularly when it's not managed properly, can have really significant impacts," Mowbray said.
"How, under the Health and Safety Act, did this permit get approved and how did the promoters provide evidence that they were mitigating the risks?"
RUNIT, Auckland Council and the New Zealand Warriors have all been approached for comment.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
More than meds: Why easier access to ADHD treatment has to be part of a whole-system approach
By Belinda Wheaton, Byron Rangiwai, Nicholas Bowden, and Stephanie D'Souza* of Photo: AFP / Thom Leach / Science Photo Library Analysis - New Zealanders with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will now have easier access to diagnosis and medication after the government changed prescribing rules . But there is still so much we don't know about ADHD in Aotearoa. And while these changes will help many, easier access to medication alone won't fill the gaps in other supports people with ADHD need to live well. From February 2026, trained GPs and nurse practitioners will be able to diagnose and treat ADHD. Under the current system, only paediatricians or psychiatrists can make the diagnosis. GPs and nurse practitioners then provide follow-up care. The current process, which is both time-consuming and expensive , has been widely criticised . The government's changes are expected to at least partially address these issues. One major barrier to progress is the general lack of knowledge about adult ADHD. The condition is broadly understood as causing persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. In adults, ADHD can have a profound impact on family and work situations, substance abuse and a wide range of psychiatric disorders. But it has largely been ignored in older age groups, with some believing people "grow out" of the condition . People with ADHD also often possess strengths, including creativity, spontaneity, high energy, risk tolerance and an ability to think divergently. Many also demonstrate strong problem-solving skills under pressure, passion-driven focus and persistence when engaged in meaningful tasks. Worldwide estimates suggest ADHD in adults ranges from 2.5 percent to 3.4 percent of most populations. But England's 2023 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey found 13.9 percent of adults met criteria warranting clinical assessment. Only 0.5 percent had been professionally diagnosed. In New Zealand, estimates rely on indirect measures such as medication dispensing rates. Recent research found 0.6 percent of the adult population in New Zealand was receiving drug treatment for ADHD. Based on a conservative estimate of 2.6 percent of adults with ADHD, this shows a large " treatment gap " exists. Drug dispensing data in New Zealand also shows gaps in who gets diagnosed with ADHD. Māori and Pacific peoples are less likely to receive ADHD medications . These inequities begin early. Tamariki Māori screened for ADHD at age four are less likely to receive medication than their non-Māori peers. There are also substantial differences in the age of diagnosis across sociodemographic groups. These inequities raise serious concerns about access and systemic bias. International research shows that untreated ADHD is linked to worse mental and physical health, higher mortality, and reduced life expectancy. ADHD prevalence is also five times higher among youth prisoners and ten times higher among adult prisoners compared to the general population. In Australia, ADHD's social and economic costs are estimated at AU$20.42 billion per year, or $25,071 per person. Our ongoing research, including a survey, looks at the lived experiences of adults with diagnosed or suspected ADHD in New Zealand. Many have described the healthcare system as "broken". Survey respondents reported long wait times, high costs for diagnosis and treatment and a lack of expertise amongst health professionals. They also described ongoing stigma and misunderstanding about the lived reality of ADHD. The survey mirrors international research showing how longstanding myths and stigmas about what ADHD is and who it affects have impeded societal understanding. Adult women were overrepresented in the sample, constituting 83 percent of the 689 participants, with over 80 percent reporting being diagnosed after age 24, reflecting global trends of underdiagnosis in early age among women. Research suggests ADHD in women is often missed or misdiagnosed , partly due to outdated knowledge and lack of understanding about its presentation in women, compounded by high rates of coexisting conditions such as anxiety, depression, substance use and autism. Growing evidence shows many of the negative outcomes of ADHD are mitigated by treatment with medication. One study from Sweden found a significant association between initiating ADHD medication treatment and lower mortality. However, medication is only part of the solution . Strategies focused on the strengths of people with ADHD can have huge benefits for the individual, their whānau and communities. Particularly when they receive timely diagnosis, treatment and necessary accommodations. Researchers argue that while ADHD medications provide effective treatment, they should never be the only form of treatment offered. Expanding prescribing authority is a vital step, but this alone will do little to increase access to psychological and allied health supports to ensure the right care can be provided to people with ADHD. There continues to be an urgent need to address gaps in data and understanding, to provide an evidence-based assessment of the areas where research, funding and policy initiatives need to be targeted. Trends show that some groups, including Māori and women, are disproportionately affected by a lack of knowledge and services. As the government revises how ADHD is diagnosed and treated, it must address these discrepancies. There is also a complex but poorly understood relationship between ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism, that needs further investigation. As ADHD New Zealand chairperson Darrin Bull has argued , a "whole-of-system" approach is required to support those with ADHD in New Zealand. This story was first published on The Conversation .
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
NZ firm Vantaset sets sights on UK, US law enforcement agencies
Chief executive of Vantaset, Craig Steel, and former Olympic swimmer Moss Burmester. Photo: Supplied What is claimed as a first-of-its-kind workplace performance service from New Zealand is gaining global attention from law enforcement and defence agencies. Vantaset was founded by New Zealand performance strategist and former sports coach Craig Steel. Developed over seven years at a cost of $7 million, the framework has grown into a paid service model designed for government and corporate clients. Steel said critical agencies were a focus for his business, especially those in the Five Eyes nations. The online platform is designed to improve business strategy and increase workplace performance through a framework based on high-performance sport environments, similar to how a coach would oversee a team or athlete. A number of trials are in discussion with police forces in North America and the United Kingdom. They have also signed agreements with a specialist consulting firm that supports government security and law enforcement agencies throughout Europe and North America, including the FBI. However, Steel said because of the sensitive nature of their work, he could not disclose their name. "They work with all of the law enforcement agencies right across Canada and a very high number in the US, including the likes of the FBI. "They're branded, but they can't disclose their brand so the FBI can't disclose the brand. But yes, they are a very legitimate agency of about 160-odd people. "They're domiciled in Canada, but they have agents right throughout the Americas, right down into South America, up into Canada and Alaska, etc. Plus they also do work into Europe. "You turn up to their office, and I've been there many times, and they don't even have a number over the door, it's quite interesting." It's not Vantaset's first foray into police environments. Nine years ago they were brought on to improve performance with New Zealand Police by then-commissioner Mike Bush. Following pilot programmes in Counties Manukau, Auckland City and Southern Districts, Bush used an early iteration of the programme to align the vision and prevention-first strategy for all 14,000 staff working out of more than 300 stations around the country. At that time Bush had noted police were dealing with declining public confidence, poor productivity, falling retention, engagement, levels and morale. Bush wanted a single programme, rather than relying on previous performance management mechanisms that didn't have the same reach across the organisation. Steel said an example of this was streamlining aspects of the organisation, including reducing the more than 6000 job descriptions within the police to a handful. A New Zealand Police case study in 2017 said: "Within 18 months of deploying Vantaset's transformation programme, Bush had lifted public trust and confidence from the 56 percent as it was following the COI to 81 percent. Further to this, an impressive 90 percent of Kiwis said they were either 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with the service police was now providing; a number many times greater than those enjoyed by similar nations. What's more, he achieved this while reducing crime across New Zealand by 20 percent. " Police said in a statement they have had a partnership with Vantaset for approximately nine years, but the contract would not continue past 30 June 2025. Chief executive of Vantaset, Craig Steel. Photo: Supplied Steel said the basis for the service came from three decades of research into the psychological breaking point of elite athletes to improve workplace performance. He said the conception was understanding why athletes collapse under pressure. "They do that at a very precise point, so it's at a point where a person comes to believe that the challenge they're up against is greater than the vision they have of themselves. "So what that said to me is that irrespective of the nature of the sport or the nature of the athlete, people capitulate at a very precise point. "What I identified was what I call the layering, which is essentially the process that athletes unconsciously work through that leads to that, what I found was that that was identical in every athlete and the people that we started sharing it with started saying to us, this is a monumental breakthrough in human performance, but we needed to test it. "So as a result of that, what I looked at was if that's what causes capitulation, what would happen if we reverse engineered it? So we take the modeling or the methodology, we invert it, so we start to look through a different lens and say, if we apply the same rationale, but in reverse, can we increase the point at which an athlete capitulates? "In other words, extend it - and what we found is that every time we tested it, people produce personal best within two weeks." The sports connections do not end there - former Olympic swimmers Moss Burmester and Anthony Mosse are among the team, as is former All Blacks manager Darren Shand. Burmester used Steel's approach to performance when he was competing and said you can transfer aspects of the sports field to the workplace. "If you look at a rugby team and you go, right, there's only 15 positions - how do we make them the very best in their position and empower them to go out there and play their best in their 80 minutes? "Same thing - how do we make people feel like they're valued, they're critical, they matter, and they can have a real impact for the team?" Burmester said just like in sport, it was important for staff to understand their roles and how that played a part of the "game plan" of a business or organisation. "It seems very obvious and it's laughable, but that's exactly what we see and so we sit there and we think, well, no wonder organisations aren't getting the best out of people, unlocking the potential in people. "They're just putting them into these boxes, they're not engaging them." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Dog saved after stuck in drain pipe for 24 hours
Shiva the eight-year-old dog has been miraculously saved after 24 hours stuck in a drain pipe during severe flooding in Nelson. On Monday, 16 year old Chloe Sellers was at her dad's work in Brightwater playing catch with her dog, when the tennis ball rolled into a drain. Shiva went diving in after it and in a split second things turned bad. Chloe spoke to Lisa Owen about what happened next. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
