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WEMBLEY JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB
Wembley Junior Football Club recognises the potential danger and long-term health consequences of
diagnosed Concussion injuries in Junior Sport. This policy is intended to provide easy-to-understand
guidelines related to players who have been diagnosed with or are suspected of having a concussion.
Wembley Junior Football Club follows the AFL Concussion Management Guidelines, found in the
document AFL-The Management of Concussion in Australian Football – with specific provision for
children 5-17 years.
Definition:
“Traumatic brain injury” is the broad term used to describe injuries to the brain that are caused by
trauma. The more severe injuries typically involve structural damage, such as fractures of the skull
and bleeding in the brain. Structural injuries require urgent medical attention.
Concussion typically falls into the milder spectrum of traumatic brain injury and reflects a disturbance
in brain function. Concussion does not involve structural damage or any permanent injury to the brain
tissue.
(What is concussion: AFL – The Management of Concussion in Australian Football – March, 2013)
Responsibilities:
Coaches/First Aiders:
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The club will provide a copy of the AFL Concussion Management Guidelines and a Pocket
Concussion Recognition Tool.
Review and understand the document AFL – The Management of Concussion in Australian
Football – with specific provision for children 5 – 17 years
Attend a sports Medicine Australia (WA Branch) Concussion in Sport Club Workshop
Coaches need to understand the 5 R’s of concussion:
o Recognise - learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion injury
o Remove – the player from the game or training should you suspect they have
sustained a concussion
o Refer – once removed from play, the player should be referred immediately to a
qualified healthcare professional that is trained in evaluating and treating
concussions.
o Recover – ensure that full recovery from the concussion is required before return to
play is authorised.
o
Return - the player must be symptom-free and cleared to play by a qualified
healthcare professional. A Graded Return to Play (GRTP) protocol is encouraged.
Any player who has suffered a concussion or is suspected of having a concussion must be
IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY and medically assessed as soon as possible after the injury.
They must not be allowed to return to play in the same game or practice session.
Parents:
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Should you child be involved in an injury where concussion is suspected, you undertake to
have your child assessed by a qualified healthcare professional.
Understand that should your child be suspected of sustaining a concussion injury, they will be
immediately removed from play and not allowed to return to play in the same game or
practice session.
If your child is diagnosed with a concussion during ANY OTHER ACTIVITY, you will inform
Coach/First Aider of such a diagnosis prior to commencement of training or game.
At the start of each season, parents will receive an e-mail from Wembley JFC that includes:
o A brief explanation of our policy and the importance of the Parent’s role in
understanding Concussion in adolescence.
o A link to Wembley JFC Policy on Concussion and Head Injuries on our website.
o A copy of the Fact Sheets: Concussion Guidelines for Players and Concussion
Guidelines for Parents
o A list of qualified Healthcare professionals trained in the diagnosis and treatment of
concussion injuries.
Players:
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Players over the age of 15 years of age and their guardians/parents are to read the document
Concussion Guidelines for Players.
Understand that should you receive a head injury during training or game and either Coach or
First Aider suspects a concussion, you will be removed from play and not allowed to return to
play in the same game or practice session.
GRADED RETURN TO PLAY (GRTP) PROTOCOL:
Current evidence supports a gradual return to sport following a head injury, with a stepwise return to
play. Movement through the steps is dependent on remaining symptom-free
Players should have a period of physical and mental rest (“brain rest”). This includes avoiding sporting
activities but also includes activities that require mental concentration, including computer use,
television, texting and game consoles.
Stage
STAGE 1:
No Activity
For first 48 hours after injury
STAGE 2:
Light aerobic exercise
STAGE 3:
Sport-specific exercise
STAGE 4:
Non-contact training drills
STAGE 5:
Full contact practice- after
medical clearance
STAGE 6;
Return to Play
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Activity
Aim of Stage
Complete physical and mental Recovery
rest
Walking, swimming, Stationary Gentle increase in heart rate
cycling
Running drills (no contact)
Adds movement
Passing drills
Adds
co-ordination
and
exercise
Participate in normal training Restores confidence and allows
activities
coaching staff to assess
progress
Normal game play
Each stage should last 24 - 48 hours.
If the player develops any symptoms (headache, dizziness, nausea or tiredness), they
should move back a stage and try to progress again after a further 24 – 48 hour rest
period.
Any concerns regarding the player’s recovery or if they experience persistent
headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, they should be reassessed by a trained
healthcare professional or the Emergency Department.