Richard Hill
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2023-0102Deceased
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 19 May 2023
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Harmful alcohol consumption at grassroots rugby clubs, often involving mixed drinks, is exacerbated by a lack of specific alcohol misuse guidance from the Rugby Football Union for volunteer-run organizations.
View full coroner's concerns
The inquest heard evidence that some people, probably including Richard, were drinking alcohol from trophy cups at the rugby club event and that these were being topped up by various people in the course of the evening, such that the trophy cups contained mixed drinks. Post-mortem toxicological analysis of Richard’s blood and urine demonstrated a toxic level of alcohol in his system, and he had been drinking alcohol all day, including prior to the event.
The inquest heard evidence that excess alcohol consumption is likely a problem across all male sports. The rugby club had received educative/campaign material from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) on issues including mental health but not specifically concerning alcohol misuse and alcohol awareness. The club is a local grassroots club, effectively run by volunteers, and it seems to me that the RFU might consider providing guidance and educative material around alcohol use that would potentially be welcome and utilised by affiliate grassroots rugby clubs and could have a positive impact on harmful drinking.
The inquest heard evidence that excess alcohol consumption is likely a problem across all male sports. The rugby club had received educative/campaign material from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) on issues including mental health but not specifically concerning alcohol misuse and alcohol awareness. The club is a local grassroots club, effectively run by volunteers, and it seems to me that the RFU might consider providing guidance and educative material around alcohol use that would potentially be welcome and utilised by affiliate grassroots rugby clubs and could have a positive impact on harmful drinking.
Responses
Noted
The RFU expresses sympathy and highlights existing RugbySafe resources on responsible drinking and mental wellbeing, including partnerships with Simplyhealth and Looseheadz. They propose no additional specific action at this stage but will keep it under review. (AI summary)
The RFU expresses sympathy and highlights existing RugbySafe resources on responsible drinking and mental wellbeing, including partnerships with Simplyhealth and Looseheadz. They propose no additional specific action at this stage but will keep it under review. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Mr Nieto, Report dated 24 March 2023
Thank you for your report dated 24 March 2023 following an inquest into the tragic death of a Mr Richard Hill. The Rugby Football Union ("RFU") was saddened to learn of Mr Hill's death, and it wishes to express its deepest sympathy to Mr Hill's friends and family for their loss. The RFU was not invited to participate in the inquest, however we understand from your report that you consider "the RFU might consider providing guidance and educative material around alcohol use that would potentially be welcome and utilised by affiliate grassroots rugby clubs which you believe could have a positive impact on harmful drinking". The RFU is committed to the promotion of good health in all respects, and it supports the principle of responsible drinking. The RFU provides advice and guidance to community clubs on issues relating to the supply of alcohol/licencing, health, safety, and wellbeing, and it recommends Codes of Conduct for members of clubs to promote responsible behaviour. Responsible drinking practices are also covered, where applicable, in the RFU's Safeguarding Guidance. All resources can be accessed for free on the RFU's website. The RFU's RugbySafe programme, is an innovative and overarching player safety and wellbeing programme which provides resources for everyone involved in rugby. As it is recognised that issues relating to excessive alcohol consumption can sometimes be connected to mental wellbeing these issues are raised within the RugbySafe programme to promote awareness. The RFU partners with Simplyhealth and mental health charity Looseheadz to promote an open discussion around all relevant issues. Resources are available for free on the RFU website. The RFU has previously partnered with the charity Drinkaware to help promote its message of responsible drinking, and it will continue to work with partners to contribute to the societal discussion on these issues. It is of course recognised that playing sport, including rugby, has recognised physical benefits for participants, as well as a positive impact on mental wellbeing. Rugby Football Union a society established under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 with registered number IP27981R whose registered office is at the above address.
Based on the information provided to us, and taking into account pre-existing work in relevant areas, the RFU proposes to take no additional specific action at this stage but we will keep this under review. The RFU is however willing to consider materials around alcohol awareness which may contribute to the societal conversation on these issues and the promotion of good health generally, including via its community game updates which are communicated regularly to clubs and participants. Should you wish to discuss these matters further, please do not hesitate to contact , Legal Director at the RFU.
Thank you for your report dated 24 March 2023 following an inquest into the tragic death of a Mr Richard Hill. The Rugby Football Union ("RFU") was saddened to learn of Mr Hill's death, and it wishes to express its deepest sympathy to Mr Hill's friends and family for their loss. The RFU was not invited to participate in the inquest, however we understand from your report that you consider "the RFU might consider providing guidance and educative material around alcohol use that would potentially be welcome and utilised by affiliate grassroots rugby clubs which you believe could have a positive impact on harmful drinking". The RFU is committed to the promotion of good health in all respects, and it supports the principle of responsible drinking. The RFU provides advice and guidance to community clubs on issues relating to the supply of alcohol/licencing, health, safety, and wellbeing, and it recommends Codes of Conduct for members of clubs to promote responsible behaviour. Responsible drinking practices are also covered, where applicable, in the RFU's Safeguarding Guidance. All resources can be accessed for free on the RFU's website. The RFU's RugbySafe programme, is an innovative and overarching player safety and wellbeing programme which provides resources for everyone involved in rugby. As it is recognised that issues relating to excessive alcohol consumption can sometimes be connected to mental wellbeing these issues are raised within the RugbySafe programme to promote awareness. The RFU partners with Simplyhealth and mental health charity Looseheadz to promote an open discussion around all relevant issues. Resources are available for free on the RFU website. The RFU has previously partnered with the charity Drinkaware to help promote its message of responsible drinking, and it will continue to work with partners to contribute to the societal discussion on these issues. It is of course recognised that playing sport, including rugby, has recognised physical benefits for participants, as well as a positive impact on mental wellbeing. Rugby Football Union a society established under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 with registered number IP27981R whose registered office is at the above address.
Based on the information provided to us, and taking into account pre-existing work in relevant areas, the RFU proposes to take no additional specific action at this stage but we will keep this under review. The RFU is however willing to consider materials around alcohol awareness which may contribute to the societal conversation on these issues and the promotion of good health generally, including via its community game updates which are communicated regularly to clubs and participants. Should you wish to discuss these matters further, please do not hesitate to contact , Legal Director at the RFU.
Part of a Series
2 separate reports were issued from this inquest, each sent to different organisations.
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None
Sent to: Network RailAll responded
This report (2023-0102Deceased) is shown above.
Sent To
- Rugby Football Union
Response Status
Linked responses
1 of 1
56-Day Deadline
19 May 2023
All responses received
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 10 May 2022 I commenced an investigation into the death of Richard James HILL, referred to as Richard for the purposes of the inquest, aged 24. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 13 March 2023. The conclusion of the inquest was that Richard’s death was alcohol related.
Circumstances of the Death
Richard died on 30 April 2022 at a sports and recreation club where his rugby club was holding its annual awards ceremony. Richard had been drinking alcohol all day and at the event and by 21:23 when he collected his trophy he was clearly showing the effects of alcohol inebriation and this was apparent to people at the event, including club members. About thirty minutes later he was unable to walk and had reduced responsiveness and he had to be carried to an outside bench. When it was realised that he was possibly critically unwell an ambulance was called, although medically trained attendees at the club event had started to provide resuscitative interventions, including use of a defibrillator which identified there was no shockable rhythm. Paramedics attended but intensive resuscitation was sadly unable to revive Richard and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Richard was known to drink heavily when out with friends and at social events. The court heard evidence from Richard's brother that Richard's alcohol consumption appeared to increase following the death of a close friend in January 2022.
After Richard's death, as part of post-mortem examination, blood and urine samples were sent for toxicological testing. Toxicology identified a very high level of alcohol in Richard's system, at a level capable of causing death due to alcohol toxicity. Cocaine was also identified in Richard's system but was not considered to be contributory to his death.
Richard was known to drink heavily when out with friends and at social events. The court heard evidence from Richard's brother that Richard's alcohol consumption appeared to increase following the death of a close friend in January 2022.
After Richard's death, as part of post-mortem examination, blood and urine samples were sent for toxicological testing. Toxicology identified a very high level of alcohol in Richard's system, at a level capable of causing death due to alcohol toxicity. Cocaine was also identified in Richard's system but was not considered to be contributory to his death.
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.