Coaches Corner

Football BC Concussion Policy

Last week, Football BC announced that all member associations, clubs and teams must abide by the guidelines set out in its new concussion policy effective June 1, 2010 which includes making sure that every player/parent sign a consent form acknowledging the risk of head injury prior to practice or competition at the start of the season.

The resources that Football BC has agreed to provide to all member associations are now available to download online.

Concussion Information Sheet for Athletes
Concussion Information Sheet for Coaches
Concussion Information Sheet for Parents
Football BC Concussion Parent-Athlete Consent Form
Concussion Information Card
Football BC Concussion Policy

June 11th Update:

Effective June 1, 2010, all Football BC member associations, clubs and teams must abide by the guidelines set out in its new concussion policy. As there have been questions raised about what is needed to be compliant with the new policy, the following is the simplified version of what is required from each association and/or club:

1. Have coaches involved in a yearly education program.

* The "education program" is not a formal course or a classroom session. Rather, we require that coaches review all the information sent from Football BC and ensure that the information is circulated to all coaches/staff within the organization as well as to all the athletes/parents. If possible, encourage the information to be posted on each club's or association's website as well. The resources can be found in the links below.
* Football BC has received permission from the Oregon Center for Applied Science, who has created a 20-minute online concussion seminar for coaches. All BC coaches may access this online tool for free. To do so, visit http://activecoach.orcasinc.comm
* Football BC will have viewable concussion seminar video online by the end of the month to facilitate coaches who would have difficulty attending in-person one of the concussion seminars to be offered later this summer.
* Football BC will be running concussion seminars during the summer time which will further give coaches the opportunity to receive education in concussion management. These information sessions will be conducted by medical doctors.
* Football BC will also be providing concussion cards free of charge to associations and schools which will be distributed to all coaches, team personnel, parents and athletes.

2. Have informed consent forms signed annually by parents and youth athletes acknowledging the risk of head injury prior to practice or competition.

* This form is the "Football BC Concussion Parent-Athlete Consent Form" which can be downloaded in the link below.

3. Remove any athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury from play

* "when in doubt, sit them out".
* This refers to all practices and/or games.

4. Ensure that all athletes who have been removed from play as a result of a suspected head injury or concussion have written clearance from a licensed medical doctor prior to returning from play.

* This clearance must be provided to Football BC upon request.