Concussion Awareness - Rowans Law

Code of Conduct for Athletes and Parents/Guardians (for athletes under 18 year of age) 

 I will read this document if my child is 11-14 years of age:

https://files.ontario.ca/mtcs-rowans-law-booklet-ages-11-to-14-en-2019-05.pdf

I will read this document if my child is 15+ years old:

https://files.ontario.ca/mtcs-rowans-law-booklet-ages-15-and-up-en-2019-05.pdf

I will help prevent concussions by:  

  • Wearing the proper equipment for my sport and wearing it correctly.  

  • Developing my skills and strength so that I can participate to the best of my ability. 

  • Respecting the rules of my sport or activity.  

  • 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:  

  • A concussion is a brain injury that can have both short- and long-term effects.  

  • 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.  

  • I don’t need to lose consciousness to have had a concussion. 

  • 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).  

  • 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. 

  • 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.  

  • 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. 

  • 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.   

  • 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.  

  • I understand my commitment to supporting the return-to-sport process* (I will have to follow my sport organization’s Return-to-Sport Protocol).  

  • I understand I will have to be medically cleared by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner before returning to training, practice or competition. 

  • I will respect my coaches, team trainers, parents, health-care professionals, and medical doctors and nurse practitioners, regarding my health and safety.  

By clicking below, I acknowledge that I have fully reviewed and commit to this Concussion Code of Conduct.