If you're gearing up to play sport this winter, you'll need to take on board some new concussion guidelines set down by ACC.
In partnership with seven national sporting organisations, ACC has announced new National Concussion Guidelines for community sport.
The guidelines are designed to improve well-being in community sports by introducing a standardised approach to managing concussion, something a number of sports have never had.
The changes mean that when a player suffers a concussion they must have a minimum period of 21 days away from full competition, and medical clearance must be obtained before returning to play.
They come after ACC convened an expert panel in June last year, holding a workshop with medical directors from the larger and higher-risk sports codes.
The expert panel included Dr Stephen Kara (expertise and specialist interest in concussion), Dr Mark Fulcher (NZ Football medical director), Dr John Mayhew (NZ Rugby League medical director), Dr Ian Murphy (ACC principal clinical advisor), Sharon Kearney (Netball NZ injury prevention consultant), Melinda Parnell (Netball NZ medical director) Karen Rasmussen (NZ Rugby medical manager) and Dr Graeme McCrory (Equestrian NZ medical director and community GP).
The panel agreed on the return to play changes for a player who has suffered a concussion. This approach is consistent with community sports in Australia and the UK.
The experts agreed there also needs to be continued change in attitudes towards concussion and reporting injuries.
The guidelines are for community and grassroots sport only, on the assumption players don't have medical support.
Kara, the independent member of the panel, said the National Concussion Guidelines are an important step to putting player's welfare first.
"This is a game changer for community sport in this country," he said.
"We know it can be confusing for coaches, players, family and health practitioners if concussion management advice from each sport is different, and this will change that will clear guidelines and process for all sports."
Kara said managing and preventing concussion is everyone's responsibility.
In 2023, ACC accepted 10,648 claims related to sports-related concussion. These injuries came at a cost of $64 million to help people recover — the highest number and highest cost of claims over the past five years.
The age group with the highest number of sports-related concussion injuries were 10 to 19-year-olds. Rugby Union lodged the most claims, followed by football.
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