Last saved by: Meredith Archdall

Willunga Football Club
Concussion Policy 2022

What is concussion?
Concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by direct or indirect force to the head, face, neck or elsewhere with the force transmitted to the head.  When the forces transmitted to the brain are high enough, they can injure or ‘stun’ the nerves and affect the way in which a brain functions.
When concussion occurs a player may experience symptoms and temporary loss of some brain skills. Concussion is characterised by a range of observational signs such as balance difficulties, motor incoordination, blank look or symptoms reported by the player such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, fatigue or just not feeling right.
It is important that all involved, parents, players, coaches, support staff and trainers are aware of the signs and symptoms of concussion which are often subtle.
The effects of concussion can evolve or change over time. In most cases symptoms will improve, in other cases the effects can worsen in the hours following the initial injury.
It is important that a player suspected of sustaining concussion be monitored for worsening effects and be assessed by a medical doctor as soon as possible after the injury. 
The priority is the short and long term welfare of the player.

Initial management:
a.	Recognise a suspected concussion
b.	Remove player from game or training session
c.	Referring the player to a medical doctor for assessment
Management of concussion:
Initial management of concussion within our club will be implemented using three steps.
1.	Recognising a suspected concussion:  The trainer, first aider or personnel present will assess a player suspected of suffering a concussion whether during game or at training.  To assess the signs and symptoms of a suspected concussion they will use a CRT (concussion recognition tool 5) or headcheck app. These tools are only used to help identify a suspected concussion. They do not replace a comprehensive medical assessment. 
2.	Removing the player from the ground:  The basic rules of first aid should be used when dealing with any player who is unconscious or injured.  Removing the player allows the trainer/first aider the time and space required to assess the player properly.  The player must be removed from play or training immediately and are not to return that day.  Until a medical clearance is provided to club from a medical professional the player cannot resume training or playing.  
A doctor is required to use the child SCAT 5 form or SCAT 5 form assessment tool to clear a player. If concussion is determined by the doctor the player will undertake a graduated return to training and playing concussion program.
3.	Return to play: Players should not return to training or game time until they have recovered from their concussion.  A conservative program of progressive return to play will be established by doctor/trainers/medical staff.  
a.	A player must have successfully returned to daily activities including return to school or work.  
b.	Light aerobic activity will then be allowed – walking, jogging. 
c.	Basic non contact sporting activity or drills.
d.	Light resistance training, no drills where head contact may occur, more complex drills.

Current rules for concussion – 12 days out from time the symptoms of concussion cease. Typically, if a player is concussed during a game, seen by a doctor and cleared of symptoms the player is required to miss one match and training for the week following the concussion. Once a player has received a clearance and have taken required time out from training and game time they will be allowed to return.

A player, once cleared of all symptoms, have worked through return to play program and have taken the 12 days away from full training and play are eligible to return to both full training and play.
A more conservative approach may be taken in relation to adolescent players as it has been recognised that recovery from concussion is slower in this group.  
A more conservative approach may also be taken when a player has a history of concussions whether from previous seasons or current season.

The Willunga Football club medical staff and trainers will provide on day of concussion the following paperwork:
Injury report form – to give to doctor at time of assessment, relevant SCAT 5 form to be filled in by doctor and clearance form to be signed off by doctor and returned to club.

The Willunga Football Club will always provide the best of care for all of their players.
The following people at our club have been advised of this policy: Coaches, sports trainers, first aiders, team managers, players, coordinators, support staff, parents and caregivers.

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