Is rugby good for children with ADHD?

Is rugby good for children with ADHD?

A parent’s experience and the benefits of rugby coaching.

Around 5% of children in the UK are diagnosed with ADHD (ADHD UK ) .

So, I knew I couldn’t have been the only mum sitting there, thinking, ‘what can I get my child involved in to help channel all this energy?’

Camden has always been full of energy. As a first-time mum, I put it down to him being a boy, or just his age. But over time, it started to feel like there was more to it.

Within the last year or so, Camden was diagnosed with dyslexia. During that process, we were advised to explore a possible ADHD diagnosis.

At the same time, I was encouraged to have an assessment myself, as ADHD can often run in families.

It turned out, I have ADHD too.

Suddenly, everything made more sense. The highs, the sudden lows, the sensory overwhelm, the bursts of excitement and frustration. Things that had always felt a bit overwhelming now had an explanation.

Finding the right sport for a child with ADHD

As a parent, you don’t just want your child to be busy. You want them to feel settled, confident, and like they belong somewhere.

For me, sport always gave me that.

I’ve played netball since I attended Torrington primary school. Being on the court gives me space to move, shout, and just be myself without judgement. It was where I first felt most comfortable.

So, I knew I wanted Camden to experience that too, ideally within a sport, and even better if it was somewhere local to Torrington.

Team sports build more than fitness. They build confidence, resilience, communication, and a sense of belonging.

But I never expected rugby to be the sport that gave him all of that.

Is rugby safe for children?

I’ll be honest, my first thought was ‘no’.

Like many parents, I’d seen rugby on TV or passing a local pitch and thought it looked rough, intimidating, and a bit scary.

But when I looked into it properly, I realised how structured and age-appropriate it actually is.

For younger children, like Camden, it starts with tag rugby. No tackling, just learning the basics, movement, teamwork, and game awareness in a safe and supportive environment.

Good rugby coaching focuses heavily on:

· safety and technique

· confidence building

· inclusion and encouragement

Once I understood that, it felt like a completely different sport. So, we joined Torrington Rugby Club under 7s, and that’s where everything started to change.

The benefits of rugby for children with ADHD

What stood out straight away was how well rugby suited Camden.

Not because it changed him, but because it worked with him.

Rugby gives children with ADHD an outlet for energy

ADHD often comes with high energy levels, and without the right outlet, that energy can build up.

Rugby gives children a place to release it properly.

Running, passing, chasing, reacting, there’s constant movement. Instead of being told to sit still or calm down, they’re encouraged to get involved.

That physical release doesn’t just help during sessions, it often leads to a calmer, more settled child afterwards.

Rugby supports focus in a natural way

One of the biggest challenges with ADHD is focus, but it’s often misunderstood.

It’s not always a lack of focus; it’s whether something captures their attention.

Rugby does that.

The pace of the game means children are constantly watching, waiting, and reacting. They’re engaged without being forced to concentrate.

Over time, this helps build confidence in their ability to focus, because they experience it working.

Rugby coaching builds self-control and discipline

Good rugby coaching doesn’t rely on telling children how to behave.

It teaches through experience.

Children learn:

· when to act and when to hold back

· how to manage impulses

· how to work as part of a team

They won’t get it right every time, but that’s part of the process.

They learn by doing, adjusting, and trying again, and those skills carry far beyond the pitch.

Rugby builds confidence and social skills

For children with ADHD, confidence can take a knock in environments that don’t suit them.

Rugby offers something different.

Every child has a role. Every role matters.

They’re encouraged, supported, and recognised for their strengths.

It also builds social confidence. Being part of a team, making friends, sharing wins and losses together, it creates a sense of belonging that can be hard to find elsewhere.

The impact beyond rugby

What I didn’t expect was how much rugby would influence everyday life.

Camden is more active at home now, choosing to move more without being asked. Whether he’s practicing, running around, or picking up a ball, it’s coming from him.

Food has changed too. He’s more open to trying different things because he understands that food gives him energy and strength for rugby. It’s no longer a battle; it makes sense to him.

And for us, it’s brought us closer.

We’ll go into the garden and throw a rugby ball around. Nothing structured, just playing, laughing, and using that energy in a positive way.

A parent’s perspective on rugby and ADHD

Now Camden enjoys extra coaching sessions during the school holidays with Nick Evans Rugby Coaching, and I’ve seen his skills and confidence really flourish.

Nick is patient, kind, and a great role model for him to have in his life.

And socially, when we head up to the club, we feel part of something bigger, a rugby community that’s inclusive, supportive, and welcoming.

It’s a place where Camden doesn’t have to worry about being ‘too much’.

As a parent, that’s what matters most.

Written by: Gemma Howard