By ADEM SARICAOGLU
WESTERN Region Football League CEO Bob Tregear has praised the AFL for its efforts in dealing with concussion at all levels of the game.
Last week, the AFL released a fresh set of guidelines for community football, emphasising the precautionary measures that should be in place for both senior and junior footballers.
A new document specifically provides guidelines for parents, should their child suffer what looks to be a form of concussion.
One particular specification outlines the need for a child to miss ‘a day or two of school after concussion’.
Another newly introduced aspect states that players ‘must not be allowed to return to school, or return to training or playing before having a medical clearance’.
Though concussion rarely occurs in junior footy, Tregear was happy to see more structure and consistency in the new guidelines set for community leagues.
“I don’t believe it’s very common at all, particularly when we’re using modified rules in the under-9s and 10s age groups,” Tregear said.
“I think, it’s helpful that they’ve put this out.
“We now have something in common that we can all refer to rather than trying to invent the wheel ourselves and perhaps getting bits of it wrong.”
Tregear also said the new guidelines would have little effect on the standard procedures already in place within the WRFL.
“Our trainers are the frontline response in these things, and the rules provide that you must have at least one accredited trainer present for the game to start,” he said.
“A game can’t be played without at least one accredited trainer – and our rules require both sides to have a minimum of one.
“They would make the initial appraisal, but in following that if there’s any suspicion of concussion or any other damage, they should seek medical advice.”
Concussion has become the most pertinent of issues currently fronting the AFL. An increasing amount of research has indicated the dangers and long-term effects of concussion both here and in the US, where many high-profile cases have come to light in recent years.
Though the AFL’s new guidelines for junior players may seem drastic, Tregear insists they are a step in the right direction.
“The implications of concussion are the same whether you get it falling over in the playground or whether you get it through a head-high tackle or contact in a game of AFL football,” he said.
“Once the suspicion of a concussion occurs, there needs to be a process and I think it’s a good thing that they’ve documented what that process should be.”
