Rugby Canada Player Welfare Memo
Nathan Abdelnour
Manager, Match Official Development Rugby Canada Victoria Office Extension 302 Cell 250 217 2373 [email protected]
TO / À:
All Provincial Union Staff, Administrators, Club Executives, Coaches, Players, Match Officials, and Parents Nathan Abdelnour, Manager, Match Official Development
FROM / DE: CC / CC: DATE: Friday, 29 May 2015 SUBJECT/OBJECT: Rugby Canada Player Welfare Memo Following a number of inquiries in regards to the three topics below, Rugby Canada is issuing a reminder to all Provincial Union staff, administrators, club executives, coaches, players, match officials, and parents. Concussion Protocol for ALL Domestic Competition in Canada Rugby Canada’s position in regards to concussion management is to strictly adhere to World Rugby Concussion Management. The basic points are listed below: Recognize and Remove -‐ Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY, using appropriate emergency management procedures. -‐ Once safely removed from play, the injured player must not be returned to activity that day and until they are assessed medically. -‐ If there is a medically trained practitioner at the match as part of a team medical staff, or a match doctor, the decision to remove a player may be deferred to them. o HOWEVER, the medically trained practitioner will need to make the decision to leave a player on or remove them much like they do with any other injury. There is no substitution allowed to temporarily rest a player suspected of having a concussion.
RUGBY CANADA Toronto Office / Bureau de Toronto 30 Rue East Beaver Creek Road, Suite 110 Richmond Hill, ON CANADA L4B 1J2 Tel / Tél : 905 707 8998 Fax / Téléc : 905 707 9707 rugbycanada.ca [email protected]
Victoria Office / Bureau de Victoria 3024 Rue Glen Lake Road Langford, BC CANADA V9B 4B4 Tel / Tél : 250 418 8998 Fax / Téléc : 250 386 3810
Nathan Abdelnour
Manager, Match Official Development Rugby Canada Victoria Office Extension 302 Cell 250 217 2373 [email protected]
o The referee may at any time order a player off the field and replaced if they deem that player to be suspected of a concussion, even if this is contrary to the advice by the medically trained practitioner. *** Please note that a medically trained practitioner refers to a team or club doctor, athletic therapist, or pitch-‐side medical staff. They are all encouraged to take the online concussion management modules at the World Rugby site listed below. Graduated Return to Play -‐ A minimum complete rest period of 24 hours is recommended for adults but a longer "complete rest period" is recommended in children and adolescents. -‐ Rest from playing or contact training is recommended for a minimum of 2 weeks following cessation of symptoms in children and adolescents. -‐ A Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) must be completed: o For ALL players diagnosed with a concussion. o For ALL players even suspected of having concussion during a game or training at which there is no appropriately qualified person present. Contrary to belief, there is no “concussion bin” or any form of replacement or substitution for any player suspected of having a concussion – the Head Injury Assessment Protocol is only to be conducted at the international level of the game by World Rugby trained medical practitioners. As soon as any domestic player is suspected of having a concussion, they are to be removed from the game and all competition that day and are only to return to play after following the Graduated Return to Play Protocol. For more information, please see the World Rugby site on concussion and find the exact protocol in the attached document: http://playerwelfare.worldrugby.org/concussion “Squeeze Ball” at Under-‐19 Rugby Canada’s stance on this has not changed since 2009, the act of placing the ball between one’s legs after a tackle while in a turtle position on one’s knees is prohibited at the U-‐19 level and is to be penalized. RUGBY CANADA Toronto Office / Bureau de Toronto 30 Rue East Beaver Creek Road, Suite 110 Richmond Hill, ON CANADA L4B 1J2 Tel / Tél : 905 707 8998 Fax / Téléc : 905 707 9707 rugbycanada.ca [email protected]
Victoria Office / Bureau de Victoria 3024 Rue Glen Lake Road Langford, BC CANADA V9B 4B4 Tel / Tél : 250 418 8998 Fax / Téléc : 250 386 3810
Nathan Abdelnour
Manager, Match Official Development Rugby Canada Victoria Office Extension 302 Cell 250 217 2373 [email protected]
Please see the document attached, which can also be found on Rugby Canada’s website: http://www.rugbycanada.ca/media/leagues/3817/graphics/SQUEEZE%20BALL.pdf World Rugby Goggles Trial This is a reminder that only World Rugby approved clothing outside of a jersey, shorts, socks, underwear, boots, and mouth guards may be worn by players. This is especially the case as it pertains to protective eye wear. If a player is sporting clothing or equipment without the World Rugby approval tag, a referee must order the player to remove that article of clothing or not participate in the match. World Rugby is conducting a global trial for goggles, of which Rugby Canada is a part. Please find the relevant information at the following World Rugby website on the trial: http://playerwelfare.worldrugby.org/goggles More Information For more information on Player Welfare, please visit: http://playerwelfare.worldrugby.org For more information on Rugby Canada’s position concerning any of the issues above – as well as any other concerns regarding player welfare – please contact Nathan Abdelnour via email at [email protected] or by phone at (250) 418-‐8998 ext. 302. Sincerely, RUGBY CANADA
RUGBY CANADA Toronto Office / Bureau de Toronto 30 Rue East Beaver Creek Road, Suite 110 Richmond Hill, ON CANADA L4B 1J2 Tel / Tél : 905 707 8998 Fax / Téléc : 905 707 9707 rugbycanada.ca [email protected]
Victoria Office / Bureau de Victoria 3024 Rue Glen Lake Road Langford, BC CANADA V9B 4B4 Tel / Tél : 250 418 8998 Fax / Téléc : 250 386 3810
Manager, Match Official Development Rugby Canada Victoria Office Extension 302 Cell 250 217 2373 [email protected]
TO / À:
All Provincial Union Staff, Administrators, Club Executives, Coaches, Players, Match Officials, and Parents Nathan Abdelnour, Manager, Match Official Development
FROM / DE: CC / CC: DATE: Friday, 29 May 2015 SUBJECT/OBJECT: Rugby Canada Player Welfare Memo Following a number of inquiries in regards to the three topics below, Rugby Canada is issuing a reminder to all Provincial Union staff, administrators, club executives, coaches, players, match officials, and parents. Concussion Protocol for ALL Domestic Competition in Canada Rugby Canada’s position in regards to concussion management is to strictly adhere to World Rugby Concussion Management. The basic points are listed below: Recognize and Remove -‐ Any athlete with a suspected concussion should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FROM PLAY, using appropriate emergency management procedures. -‐ Once safely removed from play, the injured player must not be returned to activity that day and until they are assessed medically. -‐ If there is a medically trained practitioner at the match as part of a team medical staff, or a match doctor, the decision to remove a player may be deferred to them. o HOWEVER, the medically trained practitioner will need to make the decision to leave a player on or remove them much like they do with any other injury. There is no substitution allowed to temporarily rest a player suspected of having a concussion.
RUGBY CANADA Toronto Office / Bureau de Toronto 30 Rue East Beaver Creek Road, Suite 110 Richmond Hill, ON CANADA L4B 1J2 Tel / Tél : 905 707 8998 Fax / Téléc : 905 707 9707 rugbycanada.ca [email protected]
Victoria Office / Bureau de Victoria 3024 Rue Glen Lake Road Langford, BC CANADA V9B 4B4 Tel / Tél : 250 418 8998 Fax / Téléc : 250 386 3810
Nathan Abdelnour
Manager, Match Official Development Rugby Canada Victoria Office Extension 302 Cell 250 217 2373 [email protected]
o The referee may at any time order a player off the field and replaced if they deem that player to be suspected of a concussion, even if this is contrary to the advice by the medically trained practitioner. *** Please note that a medically trained practitioner refers to a team or club doctor, athletic therapist, or pitch-‐side medical staff. They are all encouraged to take the online concussion management modules at the World Rugby site listed below. Graduated Return to Play -‐ A minimum complete rest period of 24 hours is recommended for adults but a longer "complete rest period" is recommended in children and adolescents. -‐ Rest from playing or contact training is recommended for a minimum of 2 weeks following cessation of symptoms in children and adolescents. -‐ A Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) must be completed: o For ALL players diagnosed with a concussion. o For ALL players even suspected of having concussion during a game or training at which there is no appropriately qualified person present. Contrary to belief, there is no “concussion bin” or any form of replacement or substitution for any player suspected of having a concussion – the Head Injury Assessment Protocol is only to be conducted at the international level of the game by World Rugby trained medical practitioners. As soon as any domestic player is suspected of having a concussion, they are to be removed from the game and all competition that day and are only to return to play after following the Graduated Return to Play Protocol. For more information, please see the World Rugby site on concussion and find the exact protocol in the attached document: http://playerwelfare.worldrugby.org/concussion “Squeeze Ball” at Under-‐19 Rugby Canada’s stance on this has not changed since 2009, the act of placing the ball between one’s legs after a tackle while in a turtle position on one’s knees is prohibited at the U-‐19 level and is to be penalized. RUGBY CANADA Toronto Office / Bureau de Toronto 30 Rue East Beaver Creek Road, Suite 110 Richmond Hill, ON CANADA L4B 1J2 Tel / Tél : 905 707 8998 Fax / Téléc : 905 707 9707 rugbycanada.ca [email protected]
Victoria Office / Bureau de Victoria 3024 Rue Glen Lake Road Langford, BC CANADA V9B 4B4 Tel / Tél : 250 418 8998 Fax / Téléc : 250 386 3810
Nathan Abdelnour
Manager, Match Official Development Rugby Canada Victoria Office Extension 302 Cell 250 217 2373 [email protected]
Please see the document attached, which can also be found on Rugby Canada’s website: http://www.rugbycanada.ca/media/leagues/3817/graphics/SQUEEZE%20BALL.pdf World Rugby Goggles Trial This is a reminder that only World Rugby approved clothing outside of a jersey, shorts, socks, underwear, boots, and mouth guards may be worn by players. This is especially the case as it pertains to protective eye wear. If a player is sporting clothing or equipment without the World Rugby approval tag, a referee must order the player to remove that article of clothing or not participate in the match. World Rugby is conducting a global trial for goggles, of which Rugby Canada is a part. Please find the relevant information at the following World Rugby website on the trial: http://playerwelfare.worldrugby.org/goggles More Information For more information on Player Welfare, please visit: http://playerwelfare.worldrugby.org For more information on Rugby Canada’s position concerning any of the issues above – as well as any other concerns regarding player welfare – please contact Nathan Abdelnour via email at [email protected] or by phone at (250) 418-‐8998 ext. 302. Sincerely, RUGBY CANADA
RUGBY CANADA Toronto Office / Bureau de Toronto 30 Rue East Beaver Creek Road, Suite 110 Richmond Hill, ON CANADA L4B 1J2 Tel / Tél : 905 707 8998 Fax / Téléc : 905 707 9707 rugbycanada.ca [email protected]
Victoria Office / Bureau de Victoria 3024 Rue Glen Lake Road Langford, BC CANADA V9B 4B4 Tel / Tél : 250 418 8998 Fax / Téléc : 250 386 3810
