WOODVILLE SOUTH JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB INC.
Committed to Junior Football development
Concussion Management Policy
In the management of concussion, the focus of the Woodville South Junior Football Club is the welfare
of the player, both in the short and long term.
Concussion refers to a disturbance in brain function that results from trauma to the brain. The changes
are temporary and the majority of players recover completely if managed correctly.
Complications can occur if the player is returned to play before they have recovered from their
concussion. This is why any player with suspected concussion must be withdrawn from playing or
training immediately. Furthermore, no player with suspected concussion should be returned to play in
the same game.
Management of head injury is difficult for non-medical personnel. In the early stages of injury it is often
not clear whether you are dealing with a concussion or there is a more severe underlying structural head
injury.
Therefore, ALL players with concussion or suspected of concussion need an urgent medical assessment.
In the days or weeks following concussion, a player should not be allowed to return to play or train until
they have had a formal medical clearance.
The key components of management of concussion include:

Suspecting the diagnosis in any player with symptoms such as confusion or headache after a
knock to the head;

Referring the player for medical evaluation; and

Ensuring the player has received medical clearance before allowing them to return to a graded
training program.
Concussion is a mild brain injury, caused by trauma that results in temporary dysfunction of the brain.
When it occurs a player may experience symptoms and temporary loss of brain skills such as memory
and thinking abilities. It is important for players to be aware of possible signs of concussion which are
often subtle.
The trauma causing concussion can sometimes be obvious, but at other times may be very subtle and
hardly noticed. Ask team mates, coaches or others who were present at the time of the incident
whether they had observed the player unconscious, dazed, confused or if you have some symptoms or
signs. If a player with concussion returns to sport whilst still symptomatic, there is an increased risk of
further injury.
Ledger Oval, Ledger Rd WOODVILLE SOUTH SA 5011
Email: cats@wsjfc.com Website:wsjfc.com
Woodville South Junior Football Club Management policy is as follows:
Any player suspected of having suffered a head injury/concussion or is knocked unconscious shall:

Be assessed by ANY member of the team’s personnel using the Pocket SCAT 2 assessment tool,
preferably within 10 minutes of the incident.
Use of the Pocket SCAT2 requires NO medical training.
All team managers will be provided a copy of the SCAT2 pocket guide and it should be present in all
medical kits.
Any player who FAILS the SCAT2 assessment should:



NOT be returned to the field of play.
Have their parents notified of the suspected concussion by the team manager or coach
Seek medical advice
Team manager or coach will advise the football operations manager, or the child protection officer,
details of the player who has suffered the concussion.
A player who suffers a Concussion on the day of the game should:



NOT consume alcohol and keep well hydrated
NOT drive a motor vehicle
NOT be left alone, and be woken every 2-3 hours during the night to ensure they are well.
Seek IMMEDIATE medical attention if they:




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Are unconscious for more than 5 minutes
Develop visual disturbance
Are confused
Develop nausea/vomiting
Have a headache not responding to Paracetamol or Ibuprofen
Ledger Oval, Ledger Rd WOODVILLE SOUTH SA 5011
Email: cats@wsjfc.com Website:wsjfc.com
Return to training and playing games:
As a temporary brain dysfunction, concussion will resolve with time. This may vary from an hour or so to
several days. Occasionally the brain will recover even more slowly.
The best treatment is rest from physical activity and work/study. The player should be seen by a doctor
who will monitor the symptoms, signs and brain functioning.
Concussion Occurring outside of the Woodville South Junior Football Club
Should a player be diagnosed with concussion outside of the Woodville South Junior Football Club, in the
interest of player welfare, we require parents to advise the Club of the concussion and the same
principles for when a player is able to return to training and playing will apply.
Woodville South Junior Football club will allow a player to return to training and games after:


Medical clearance is presented to the club. A doctor must clear the player to return to sporting
activity and this will usually involve a stepped approach with a gradual increase in activities over
a few days.
Or if the player has not sought medical assistance, in the interests of player welfare and safety
WSJFC will allow the player to return after a rest period of 3 weeks.
Key Messages
1. Concussion is a temporary dysfunction of the brain following trauma
2. Suspect concussion if you are irritable, sick, excessively fatigued, have a headache, or just not
feeling your usual self
3. Seek medical attention – urgently if the symptoms or signs are getting worse
4. Rest is the best treatment followed by a gradual return to physical activity and work/study
References; AFL brochure Management of Concussion in Australian Football and the
WAAFL Concussion Policy
Ledger Oval, Ledger Rd WOODVILLE SOUTH SA 5011
Email: cats@wsjfc.com Website:wsjfc.com
Ledger Oval, Ledger Rd WOODVILLE SOUTH SA 5011
Email: cats@wsjfc.com Website:wsjfc.com
Ledger Oval, Ledger Rd WOODVILLE SOUTH SA 5011
Email: cats@wsjfc.com Website:wsjfc.com