Viral sport leaves teenager dead aged 19 as medics say it ‘must be banned’

A NEW ZEALAND TEENAGER HAS DIED AFTER TAKING PART IN A GAME WITH FRIENDS BASED ON THE POPULAR RUN IT STRAIGHT SPORT, WHICH HAS RECEIVED REPEATED CRITICISM FROM MEDICAL EXPERTS 15:17, 29 May

2025 A New Zealand teenager has tragically died following a spontaneous game based on the viral Run It Straight trend. Ryan Satterthwaite, 19, passed away on Monday night after sustaining a

severe head injury. The Palmerston North teen had been involved in a full-contact collision game with friends the day before. The game was influenced by the growing craze of Run It Straight

events, which have come under fire from health professionals. The trend has exploded on TikTok and involves two individuals charging at each other – one with a ball and the other defending –

on a narrow 20-metre pitch with minimal protective gear. Contact is made below the collarbone but above the legs. Manawatu Police Inspector Ross Grantham told the NZ Herald: "While

this was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event, this tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity. We would urge anyone thinking about

taking part in a game or event like this to consider the significant safety and injury risks." Run It Straight-inspired matches have popped up in Auckland and Melbourne, attracting

hefty crowds and gaining traction on YouTube and other social media. Aussie sports neuroscientist Dr Alan Pearce has acknowledged that Satterthwaite's untimely passing serves as a stark

reminder of the dangers associated with the sport. "This was a matter of time really as sad as that is to say," Dr Pearce admitted to news.com.au on Tuesday. "The concern is

that this can happen at any level. Even in the sanctioned 'run it' events, someone will probably die in that at some point as well. Article continues below "It can't be

done safely and when there's kids and teens that see it, they like to copy what they see online, and this is something that absolutely should not be copied. It is the biggest

'please do not try this at home' disclaimer if I've ever seen one." The brain expert had already sounded the alarm about the sport months before. Chatting with the same

publication in March, Dr Pearce admitted: "I was pretty gobsmacked, speechless actually when I saw this competition idea starting. "For me as someone who has seen hundreds of

footballers and rugby league players who are now struggling with brain injury and long-term impairment, it is really troubling. "I just cannot understand how they could take the most

violent aspect of sport and just turn it into a spectacle where the objective is just to try and knock out or hurt your opponent. In a lot of these other sports (such as NRL, AFL and rugby

union), you're trying to avoid direct contact, whereas this is purely running at each other. It's insanity. " Fellow neuroscientist Dr Helen Murray told the NZ Herald:

"It appears there is no attempt to mitigate head acceleration events in this activity and the risk of significant injury is high given the intent to collide, so I do not support

it." At a recent Run It Straight-style bash in Auckland, injuries sidelined three out of eight contenders. Another showdown in the same city was axed after it emerged that the

organisers hadn't secured official approval from the council. Despite the health cautions, the burgeoning sport has gained approval from several ex-rugby and Aussie Rules players.

"Every sport that we have in our society is to remind us of our warrior past and to simulate warfare in a safe way - and that's exactly what we do," ex-NRL star George Burgess

said, backing the sport. Run It Straight founder Christian Lea, also dubbed Charizma, explained that weight divisions helped ensure a level playing field. He spoke about the sport's

surge and has previously claimed his popular events help boost local communities. "You see a lot of stuff online, I think they take little flicks and run with it online and run with

that narrative," Lea told ABC Pacific. "But when you're there and the community is out - they loved it. I'd say there's not many events that bring the community

together. "Obviously, it's a full-contact sporting event, but to see them there and loving it as much as I do, it means a lot to me. Having local businesses come through, they all

sold out. That's another thing that fills my heart." Article continues below Regarding his broader ambitions for Run It Straight, he proclaimed: "Obviously, the dream is to

take it worldwide and across all countries and that, but it just depends on the backlash we get."