There is a lot of research into the debilitating long-term impact of concussion in sport. Although hockey is not as high risk for concussion as many contact sports, they do occur and the club wants to be as proactive as possible in managing concussion. We will also take a conservative approach, following the latest guidelines from the AIS and Hockey Australia on the management of suspected concussion.

To this end the club has taken a number of actions to support its members:

• Reviewed and updated the club’s Club’s Concussion Policy including a rule that concussed players must not train until symptom free for 14 days or play for 21 days from their concussion.

• Appointed a Concussion Officer for the club to work with members and other organisations in the management of concussion at the club, to support ongoing research into the risks and management of the concussion and to ensure that the respective section VPs are aware of the stand down period. Ben Spincer has agreed to take on this role for 2024 and for any concussion related matters he can be contacted at concussion@tem.org.au or 0400 929 563.

• Providing a library of the latest guidelines and policies managing concussion in youth and community sport

• Providing a list of health facilities able to diagnose and support recovery from concussion

• Ensure that the CRT6 Concussion Recognition Tool is available to all Team Managers and is displayed in the dugouts on H1 and H2.

• Supporting players who have suffered a concussion outside the hockey field to manage their return to play

• Supporting umpires and other officials managing concussions and head impacts on the field of play

• Ensuring that any concussion is reported to the club via the following webform so we can help manage a return to play. The information in this form will only be shared with the club Concussion Officer, unless agreed by the player, or their parent/guardian.

Concussion resource library

• TEM Concussion Policy

• CRT 6 Concussion Recognition Tool for non-clinicians

• AIS Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport

• Hockey Australia Concussion Policy

• Hockey Australia Concussion Toolkit

• 6th Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport