Concussion Code of Conduct
The Ontario government has enacted a new law, Rowan's Law, to increase awareness of concussion and reduce injuries to young athletes. It is named for a young rugby player that died after repeated concussions were not recognized. The law requires that every adult, or the parent/guardian of every athlete under 18 review educational material regarding concussion and the club must document this. There is also a requirement to affirm this before every competition. Please review the Concussion Code of Conduct below. You will be prompted to accept this information when you register with the club.
I will help prevent concussions by:
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Wearing the proper equipment for my sport and wearing it correctly.
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Developing my skills and strength so that I can participate to the best of my ability.
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Respecting the rules of my sport or activity.
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My commitment to fair play and respect for all (respecting other athletes, coaches, team trainers and officials).
I will care for my health and safety by taking concussions seriously, and I understand that:
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A concussion is a brain injury that can have both short- and long-term effects.
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A blow to my head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that causes the brain to move around inside the skull may cause a concussion.
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I don’t need to lose consciousness to have had a concussion.
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I have a commitment to concussion recognition and reporting, including self-reporting of possible concussion and reporting to a designated person when and individual suspects that another individual may have sustained a concussion. (Meaning: If I think I might have a concussion I should stop participating in further training, practice or competition immediately, or tell an adult if I think another athlete has a concussion).
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Continuing to participate in further training, practice or competition with a possible concussion increases my risk of more severe, longer lasting symptoms, and increases my risk of other injuries.
I will not hide concussion symptoms. I will speak up for myself and others.
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I will not hide my symptoms. I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent or another adult I trust if I experience any symptoms of concussion.
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If someone else tells me about concussion symptoms, or I see signs they might have a concussion, I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent or another adult I trust so they can help.
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I understand that if I have a suspected concussion, I will be removed from sport and that I will not be able to return to training, practice or competition until I undergo a medical assessment by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner and have been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition.
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I have a commitment to sharing any pertinent information regarding incidents of removal from sport with the athlete’s school and any other sport organization with which the athlete has registered (Meaning: If I am diagnosed with a concussion, I understand that letting all of my other coaches and teachers know about my injury will help them support me while I recover.)
I will take the time I need to recover, because it is important for my health.
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I understand my commitment to supporting the return-to-sport process (I will have to follow my sport organization’s Return-to-Sport Protocol).
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I understand I will have to be medically cleared by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner before returning to training, practice or competition.
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I will respect my coaches, team trainers, parents, health-care professionals, and medical doctors and nurse practitioners, regarding my health and safety.