The Australian Rugby Union (ARU)  have very recently released new concussion guidelines.

Dr Ryan Kohler, a concussion specialist, was appointed by the ARU to focus specifically on concussion. Ryan is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring concussion guidance at the community level (schools and clubs); and to support team doctors and medical staff at all levels of competition. I have been communicating with Ryan this year to implement the online concussion testing for boys in the 1st XV and 2nd XV squads at Newington College.Any boy with a concussion or suspected concussion should see me in the Health Centre when back at school.

The major points from the newly released concussion guidelines are listed below:

1. Players aged 18 Years and under must not participate in any Rugby contact training or game for a minimum period of two weeks (14 days) after the disappearance of all signs and symptoms of concussion.
2. Guidance regarding adult players remains the same – they must not participate in any Rugby contact training or game for a minimum rest period of 24 hours after the disappearance of all signs and symptoms of concussion.
3. Any player (regardless of age) with suspected or recognised concussion must be removed from the field of play immediately and must not return to the field on the same day.
4. A player with suspected or recognised concussion must be referred to a medical doctor or emergency department as soon as possible for thorough assessment.
5. In all cases, players should only return to contact training and games play following the ‘graduated return to play’ protocol.
6. All players must receive written clearance (a medical certificate) from a medical doctor before returning to contact training and games. (This should be returned to me).

To read the guidelines in full, please click here.

Sister Margaret Bates
College Nurse