Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes and Parents/Guardians

(for athletes under 18 year of age) 

I will help prevent concussions by: 

• Wearing the proper equipment for my sport and wearing it correctly. 
• Developing my skills and strength so that I can participate to the best of my ability. 
• Respecting the rules of my sport or activity. 
• My commitment to fair play and respect for all* (respecting other athletes, coaches, team trainers and officials). 

I will care for my health and safety by taking concussions seriously, and I understand that: 

• A concussion is a brain injury that can have both short- and long-term effects. 
• A blow to my head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that causes the brain to move around inside the skull may cause a concussion. 
• I don’t need to lose consciousness to have had a concussion. 
• I have a commitment to concussion recognition and reporting, including self-reporting of possible concussion and reporting to a designated person when and individual suspects that another individual may have sustained a concussion.* (Meaning: If I think I might have a concussion I should stop participating in further training, practice or competition immediately, or tell an adult if I think another athlete has a concussion). 
• Continuing to participate in further training, practice or competition with a possible concussion increases my risk of more severe, longer lasting symptoms, and increases my risk of other injuries. 

I will not hide concussion symptoms. I will speak up for myself and others. 

• I will not hide my symptoms. I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent or another adult I trust if I experience any symptoms of concussion. 
• If someone else tells me about concussion symptoms, or I see signs they might have a concussion, I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent or another adult I trust so they can help. 

• I understand that if I have a suspected concussion, I will be removed from sport and that I will not be able to return to training, practice or competition until I undergo a medical assessment by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner and have been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition. 
• I have a commitment to sharing any pertinent information regarding incidents of removal from sport with the athlete’s school and any other sport organization with which the athlete has registered* (Meaning: If I am diagnosed with a concussion, I understand that letting all of my other coaches and teachers know about my injury will help them support me while I recover.) 

I will take the time I need to recover, because it is important for my health. 

• I understand my commitment to supporting the return-to-sport process* (I will have to follow my sport organization’s Return-to-Sport Protocol). 
• I understand I will have to be medically cleared by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner before returning to training, practice or competition. 
• I will respect my coaches, team trainers, parents, health-care professionals, and medical doctors and nurse practitioners, regarding my health and safety. 

Items marked with an asterisk * are mandatory by O.Reg. 161/19: General.