Karingal Bulls

Founded 1969 Inc. No A 0006673H

Karingal Football Netball Cub

ABN 65 297 861 914

CONCUSSION POLICY KARINGAL FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB:

Karingal Football Netball Club are pleased to advise that following the new Concussion Management Guidelines from the Australian Football League our Club has responded to our Duty of Care by the implementation of our Concussion Policy. The basis of the policy was formulated from the document by the AFL Medical Officers Association

PLEASE REFER BELOW ATTACHMENTS:

  1. AFL Concussion Management Booklet
  2. AFL Concussion Management Poster
  3. Concussion SCAT Test

There has been much discussion in the Media and at the AFL Level in relation to the effect, both immediate and long term, of concussion on Footballers within all leagues and grades. The discussions have been generated by the Medical Fraternity regarding the long term effects of BRAIN SHAKE / BRAIN BLEED/TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

Concussion can occur in several ways, one by a direct blow to the headand / or by a sufficient blow to thebody which then is transmitted by the nervous system to the brain. If this transmission is severe it is sufficient to cause a Brain Shake / NerveDysfunction and subsequently results in symptoms of concussion.

In our attempts in the provision of Best Management Practice, it is paramount/critical to recognize the Welfare of the Player in the short and long term and avoidance of a premature return to play.

The responsibility of providinga Duty of Care does not fall solely on the Trainers / Head Trainer. All levels of Football Management specifically the Senior Coach has both a moral and legal responsibility to show Due Diligence to possible concussed players.

It’s the role of the Head Trainer to assess the player in question and respond to presenting symptoms. Trainers should not be subjected to and or swayed by undue pressure / opinions from players, coaching staff, officials, or Club Executive or others in suggesting a premature return to play.

Conversely, coaches must, in accordance with the AFL Code of Conduct, not put any undue pressure on Trainers or players to make such a decision/s.

Therefore the Executive and Committee have developed the following guidelines that bound both Trainers, Coaching Staff and players as minimum standards / procedures before a player who is suspected of experiencing concussion shall follow before he or she returns to training and eligible for Team Selection.

PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES:

  1. Assessment of Concussion to be conducted by Head Trainer in consultation with trainer who removed player from ground.
  2. If the player is showing any of the signs of concussion such as:- nausea, head ache, loss of memory, dis orientation and any sign as displayed within the AFL Concussion Handbook, Concussion Poster and Scat Cards they are not to return to play ,training, and or school.
  3. The Head Trainer shall convey his or her decision to the Head Coach or his/her delegate.
  4. The Head Trainers decision is final.
  5. Players shall attend hospital or medical practitioner if symptoms worsen over the week-end.
  6. It is expected of players to phone MP Medical Monday morning for concussion assessment, by trained AFL and Concussion specialists. They are to explain they need an assessment for concussion and will receive an appointment within 24 hours.
  7. The basis of this assessment will provide the Head Trainer and Coach/s with a clear and definitive plan for return to training and match day selection.
  8. The Club expects all players, trainers, coaches to respect and honor these guidelines, as it has been conveyed a general practitioner is not fully trained in concussion assessment.

SECRETARY: Thomas Lindsey. PRESIDENT: Troy Callahan