With 11,000 children competing, safety is the top priority at this year's AIMS Games in Tauranga, with sporting codes tackling the risk of concussion.
It's worrying scenes like All Black Ryan Crotty’s recent knockout that the organisers of AIMS are hoping to avoid.
However, instead of wrapping kids in cotton wool, they're focusing on spotting the signs of concussion.
"Make sure that we're giving them correct messages so that they can take those forward," Aims Games Tournament Director Vicki Semple said.
Each year there are nearly 40,000 head injuries in New Zealand, around four thousand are considered mild but with a high risk of complication, with many happening to rugby players.
"Concussion itself is a growing trend more importantly we're now starting to understand what concussion is and what we can do about it," Scott Pickering of ACC said.
Stephen Kara was the Blues' doctor for ten years and he's seen dramatic changes to how head injuries are managed.
"I've had players who are running around and asking teammates what the answers because they knew i was trying to catch them, so it's been a huge shift and having the ability to come and assess someone is fantastic,” Dr Kara of Access Sports Medicine Clinic said.
He says 70 per cent of people who suffer a concussion will get better in two to four weeks, depending on their age, but recognising someone is hurt is key to a speedy recovery.
"At a community level we just need to keep it simple and if you recognise them then you remove them," Dr Kara said.
Spectators can help too, by remembering three simple steps, recognise, remove and refer if you think a concussion has occurred.
Black Fern Selica Winiata says communication helps reduce injuries.
"I believe it's so important to be able to look after yourself, but also your mates that surround you that they can look after you and step up and if they see something not quite right that they feel confident to speak up," Ms Winiata said.
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