CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
At the Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club, the safety and wellbeing of our children is our number one priority, and so we are committed to educating our members about the importance of recognising, reporting, and properly treating concussions in our players.
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Concussions are a type of brain injury, and they must always be taken seriously. Symptoms may not always be immediately obvious, which is why early recognition and appropriate management are essential.
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If a concussion is suspected, the player will be removed from play immediately and should not return until they have been assessed and cleared by a medical professional.
Concussion Resources for Parents and Players:
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Concussion Calendar
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AFL Medical Clearance Form
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4 Stages of Graded Return to Play
Concussion Management:
Our Club Trainers are volunteers and have completed the following training to allow them to provide appropriate first aid and concussion treatment:
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First Aid Training
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CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation)
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AFL Concussion & Injury Management in Football.
The role of our team trainers is to follow the Three R’s with concussion management:
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Recognise a suspected concussion injury
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Remove the player from the game or training session to undertake an assessment.
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Refer the player to a medical practitioner for assessment if concussion is suspected.
It is important for player and parents to understand that the Volunteer Team Trainer has the responsibility of managing the health, safety and proper treatment of your child, and has completed First Aid and CPR training to undertake the role for your team.
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It is imperative that parents, guardians and all team officials show respect and support for the diagnosis, treatment and recommendations of the team trainer and the Ground Medics that are hired to assist in First Aid treatment.
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Concussion Guidelines:
When a Club Trainer suspects a concussion in a player, they follow these steps shown in the image below:
Post-Concussion - Return to Play
The four stages for return to play following concussion include:
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A brief period of relative rest (24-48 hours)
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A period of recovery
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A graded loading program (with medical clearance required for return to full contact training),
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Unrestricted return to play.
The 4 Stages of Graded Return to Play flowchart document is attached above for you to read.
Concussion Management in Community Football:
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On 1st February 2024, the Australian Institute of Sport released their new recommendations and guidelines on concussion management for sporting organisations.
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Subsequently, on the 21st March 2024 the AFL used these recommendations to produce their new guidelines on concussion management and the Return To Play protocols, which the SMJFL have adopted.
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The Waverley Park Hawks are obliged to follow these Concussion guidelines and protocols that have the health and safety of our children as the priority.
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Under these new guidelines, the earliest that a player may return to play is on the 21st day after the day on which the concussion was suffered.​
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As an example of the 21-day protocol, if a player gets concussed on a Sunday, they will miss at least the 2 following Sundays, but can return to play on the 3rd Sunday after IF -
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The player had an initial concussion assessment by a medical healthcare practitioner.
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The player has successfully completed a Graded Return to Play Program.
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The player has remained symptom-free for at least 14 days.
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The player has obtained medical clearance for a medical healthcare practitioner.
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The Club (via your trainer) has received a copy of the doctor’s signed medical clearance (example available for download below).
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