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3mo ago

Teen’s death prompts crackdown on ‘Run It Straight’ tackle challenge

The sports minister is exploring legal restrictions on the unsanctioned full-contact game in response to bans by schools, local councils, major venues.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon walks at Downing Street to meet Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in London, Britain, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Belinda Jiao/File Photo
Players collide with each other without any protective gear in the final of the RUNIT Championship League at The Trusts Arena on May 19, 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Two competitors at the RUNIT Championship League in Auckland, New Zealand.
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Overview

  • Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, died on May 25 in Palmerston North after suffering a fatal head injury during an informal ‘Run It Straight’ match.
  • The unsanctioned game pits two participants in head-on collisions across a 20-metre field without helmets or padding, emulating high-impact sports hits.
  • Medical experts warn that collisions in the challenge can generate forces over five times those of a rugby tackle, sharply raising the risk of brain injury or death.
  • Prime Minister Christopher Luxon labelled the craze reckless, urging social media influencers and organisers to stop promoting or holding events.
  • Sports minister Mark Mitchell has sought legal advice on regulating the activity as several schools, local councils and major venues move to ban the challenge.