Simon Shaw, former England and British Lions rugby star and president of sporting charity Love of the Game (LOTG), has today launched a back-to-school campaign to reduce the risks from concussion in grassroots sport.
Grassroots rugby and netball teams in London came together today to learn about the guidelines from Love of the Game. The campaign launched as Simon Shaw joined grassroots rugby players in South London for a training session. It follows on from LOTG’s close involvement in developing the first concussion guidelines for grassroots sports with DCMS.
LOTG worked closely with the Government to develop the first concussion guidelines for grassroots sport. Now, as players return to school and training, LOTG are campaigning to increase awareness of the guidelines, which detail identification and response to sports-related concussion, with parents, teachers, and coaches.
The “If in doubt, sit them out” guidelines, designed in conjunction with DCMS, provide a framework for recognising and managing concussion from the time of injury. Outlining steps from the initial injury to the safe return to play, they are intended for all who participate in grassroots sports, from primary school age up.
Devised with a team of medical and sporting experts, including those from LOTG, the guidelines include assessment of any suspected concussion by an onsite healthcare professional or call to NHS 111 within 24 hours and a 24-hour break from play before gradual return to sport.
Devised with a team of medical and sporting experts, t form part of LOTG’s mission to mitigate the potentially devastating risks of concussion, while maintaining the integrity of our much-loved sports.
Today’s campaign launch forms part of LOTG’s mission to mitigate the potentially devastating risks of concussion. It includes the release of a number of new resources by LOTG, including an online training course to support teachers and coaches in understanding and implementing the guidelines.
Speaking on today’s launch, Simon Shaw said:
“The ‘if in doubt, sit them out’ guidelines are a huge step in protecting our players. As kids go back to school and players return to training, we want to make sure as many people as possible are aware of the best ways to recognise and respond to concussion. With the continued effort of Love of the Game, we are able to provide education and resources for all, so we can safely play the sports we love.”
To help grassroots clubs and schools across the UK, Love of the Game has worked with edtechhuman to create an online course for teachers, parents and coaches to familiarise themselves with the guidelines, completely free to access, here.
You can download the full Guidelines document here:
