Resources
Below is a list of websites we think are helpful for grassroots sport participants who don’t have access to specialist care.
Remember, at all levels of any sport, if you believe a player has a concussion they should be immediately removed from play.
Some links also carry important information on how a concussed player should be managed from the time of injury through to a safe return to sport.
At the bottom of the page is a link for a peer-reviewed paper establishing a causal link between repetitive brain impacts and the degenerative brain injury Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Scottish sports concussion guidance (sportscotland.org.uk)
An excellent resource with documents and resources. In 2015 (since updated), in a world first, medics, sports, Scottish Government and sportscotland, came together to produce a single concussion policy for all sports that provides a consistent and accurate message.
“The safety and wellbeing of all who participate is paramount and that’s why we’re reminding coaches, players and spectators that all concussions are serious. If there is any doubt over someone’s health or fitness to return to play, sit them out.”
Dr Gregor Smith, Scotland’s deputy chief medical officer.
Headway believes everyone who plays sport should be concussion aware – particularly those at grassroots level who are playing purely for the love of it and do not have ambulances and doctors on standby should something go wrong.
The RFU’s HEADCASE programme aims to increase understanding and provide information on concussion and other related topics, including how to prevent and manage suspected concussions.
New Zealand Rugby’s RugbySmart has good interactive resources for players, coaches, families and referees, noting that we all have a role in recognising, removing and managing concussions.
Report a Concern Concussion Management | Rugby Australia
Excellent resources from Rugby AU including managing of concussion.
BokSmart | SA Rugby (springboks.rugby)
South Africa Rugby have produced a number of videos and resources addressing concussion.
SA Rugby Concussion Blue Card System - YouTube
A useful explanation of the South African Blue Card System.
Concussion Guidelines | Sport and Recreation Alliance
The Forum on Concussion in Sport and Physical Education have produced concussion guidelines for education settings.
What is a Concussion? | Concussion Legacy Foundation (concussionfoundation.org)
The US-based Concussion Legacy Foundation (which now has a UK branch) has a mission to support athletes and military veterans affected by concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) but also has excellent educational resources.
Canada-based Parachute is the country’s national charity dedicated to injury prevention.
Disclaimer: Progressive Rugby have provided the assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the sites listed.
The paper: ‘Applying the Bradford Hill Criteria for Causation to Repetitive Head Impacts and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy’ can be viewed by pasting the below link into your browser: file:///C:/Users/tommo/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/2WTHBQA3/Applying_the_Bradford_Hill_Criteria_for_Causation_%20(003).pdf