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Hockey player 'in limbo' after head hit by ball

Dafydd Evans
BBC News
Claerwen Render Claerwen Render looks up at camera. She's lying on a hospital trolley in her blue hockey kit. Her head is bandaged and with orange bracing either side. Bracing is tied down by more bandages strapped the the trolley. A light green blanket covers her torso. Claerwen Render
Claerwen Render suffers frequent migraines and exhaustion since she was struck by a hockey ball

"I understand there is an element of risk in hockey, but surely a brain injury must trigger some help?"

Claerwen Render, 42, loved sports but her life changed when she was hit on the forehead by a hockey ball five years ago.

The mother-of-three has suffered daily migraines and fatigue since and has seen her income halve after giving up her role as a member of a secondary school's senior leadership team.

But after being refused an insurance payout through her sport's governing body, she has been left questioning if affiliation payments are worth it.

Hoci Cymru said it had developed their approach to head injuries but that more needed to happen to explain the limitations of insurance cover.

Mrs Render was playing for Clwb Hoci Rhuthun in Denbighshire in November 2019 when she was caught on the temple by a ball struck by an opposing player.

Bleeding badly, she was taken by ambulance to the nearest A&E department.

Over the next few months she tried to return to the classroom as a maths teacher, but struggled to cope.

"I'm not getting half my old life back. I'm just in limbo, in pain," said Mrs Render.

"I can't do anything. It really affects my sleep. I've taken time off work but no amount of rest gets rid of my symptoms. It's debilitating.

"I can't do normal things like before. I can't enjoy going to the kids' activities. If I stay I suffer, or I'll go to work in more pain and I have to go to bed."

Clwb Hoci Rhuthun Hockey player Claerwen Render about to strike an orange ball with her hockey stick on an all weather pitch. She is wearing a blue hockey kit with blue and white striped socks. Clwb Hoci Rhuthun
Claerwen Render played hockey for more than 15 years until she was injured

Nine months after the incident, Mrs Render, from Denbigh, made an insurance claim through her Hoci Cymru membership but said her application did not trigger any benefits.

She now works four mornings a week having been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome.

"Why have I paid 15 years of affiliation and insurance? It was for something like this," said Mrs Render.

"I understand there is an element of risk, but surely a brain injury must trigger something? Are we just paying into a bottomless pit?

"I'm just disappointed that I'm not compensated for loss of earnings, the future of my kids, everything."

One sports lawyer said few players were fully aware of the level of cover they have for head injuries.

"No-one signs up to play these sports to get permanent and progressive brain damage and a very high number of sports men and women, we believe, have that," said Richard Boardman, from law firm Rylands Garth.

Claerwen looks at the camera. She has long straight blonde hair and is wearing a zebra print jacket. A dining table can be seen behind her.
Claerwen Render had to give up her role on her secondary school's senior leadership team after being injured

"It is critical that all grassroots players know about the risks involved in collision sports, and whether they are covered for brain injuries," Mr Boardman added.

Colin Morris from brain injury charity Headway, stressed the health and social benefits of sports, including brain health, but also said players needed to be aware of how insurance cover works.

"It is something that governing bodies and insurers need to be transparent with and really convey to people what circumstances they wouldn't be covered.

"So people can take out further insurance if they need to, protection against loss of income for example," he said.

Clwb Hoci Rhuthun Claerwen running with her hockey stick stretched in front of her next to a yellow hockey ball. She is wearing a blue hockey kit. To the right is a player wearing a red hockey kit with her hockey stick in front of her. Clwb Hoci Rhuthun
Claerwen Render still encourages others to play sports like hockey but wants clearer support when injuries happen

Hoci Cymru's concussion policy was first introduced in 2021.

Its chief executive, Paul Whapham, said they could not comment on individual insurance cases but acknowledged the "very real impact" Mrs Render's injury had and took her concerns "seriously".

"This situation highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency around insurance coverage," said Mr Whapham.

He added Hoci Cymru's approach to head injuries had developed but there was "always more" to be done so players "understand the extent and limitations of cover provided through affiliation".

"We are committed to working with our insurers, our clubs and partners to ensure that policies are clear, fair and supportive of our players' wellbeing," Mr Whapham said.