Play all audios:
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. "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."