For players & parents – Juniors and Seniors: Concussion is a serious injury that requires specific management to ensure players do not return to play until all possible steps have been taken to ensure the player has recovered from the injury. World Rugby and the ARU have updated their protocols and the new guidelines will be strictly enforced by the Club. The full ARU Concussion Guidance is is in our Resource Library and is recommended reading. Some major points are:
There is no sideline review of concussion in Club Rugby (in Australia that only applies at the highest professional levels), once any player has left the field, as symptoms of a potential concussion have been observed, they are treated as having been concussed and may not return to play that day. The Graduated Return to Play of last season is then enforced, though it is does not commence until after a rest period of one week for players over 18, and 2 weeks for players aged 18 and under. They are the minimums which are extended if concussion symptoms do not cease, or reappear prior to return to play. The periods will also be extended in “complex concussion” situations. A medical certificate is required before contact training and match play can commence. THERE ARE NO GREY AREAS, no player will return to play until they have completed the appropriate recovery period, the GRTP and provided a medical certificate stating they are ready for full contact at training and in play.
There is no sideline review of concussion in Club Rugby (in Australia that only applies at the highest professional levels), once any player has left the field, as symptoms of a potential concussion have been observed, they are treated as having been concussed and may not return to play that day. The Graduated Return to Play of last season is then enforced, though it is does not commence until after a rest period of one week for players over 18, and 2 weeks for players aged 18 and under. They are the minimums which are extended if concussion symptoms do not cease, or reappear prior to return to play. The periods will also be extended in “complex concussion” situations. A medical certificate is required before contact training and match play can commence. THERE ARE NO GREY AREAS, no player will return to play until they have completed the appropriate recovery period, the GRTP and provided a medical certificate stating they are ready for full contact at training and in play.
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