Concussion Recognition & Management Guidelines for Parents and Carers

In-line with the recent announcement of the AFL’s updated 2024 Concussion Protocols, AFL Barwon has announced updated Football & Netball Concussion Protocols.

The most significant announcement detailed within the 2024 AFL Concussion Protocols was:

• All Australian rules football competitions at all ages (i.e. adult/open competitions and all junior competitions outside AFL/AFLW), will adopt a mandatory minimum 21-day return to play protocol. This new protocol will apply for State Football competitions (including the VFL and VFLW), elite pathway competitions (including the Coates Talent League for boys and girls) and all community football competitions; and

• Under the new community guidelines, the earliest that a player can return to play after a concussion is on the 21st day after the day on which the concussion was sustained and provided that the player has safely progressed through each phase of the return-to-play program.

In-line with this announcement, AFL Barwon has adopted:

• The 2024 AFL Concussion Protocols for all AFL Barwon and affiliated Australian rules football competitions at all ages; and

• Has also adopted this policy for all AFL Barwon and affiliated Netball competitions at all ages.

• This adoption extends to practice matches, interleague and other games of any kind, of Australian Rules Football and Netball, in all forms.

Concussion is a mild brain injury, caused by trauma which results in the temporary dysfunction of the brain. When it occurs, a child may experience symptoms such as memory loss and difficulty processing information.

Trauma causing any concussion can be obvious or may be very subtle and hardly noticed.

Some possible signs of concussion:

• Loss of consciousness

• Seizure/convulsions

• Amnesia

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness

• Balance problems

• Confusion

• Fatigue

It is important to realise that a player does not need to be knocked unconscious to suffer a concussion.

Even if you think your child is not just themself, don’t rule out concussion!

• If you observe any of these symptoms or signs in your child, see a GP as soon as possible.

• If you observe a deterioration in these symptoms or signs go to an accident and emergency department at your nearest hospital.

Progression and Management

Concussion is a temporary brain dysfunction and will resolve with time. This may vary from and hours to several days. Occasionally, with severe injury the brain may recover more slowly.

The best treatment is initial rest from physical activity and school, with a gradual increase in activities.

The Surf Coast Suns FNC encourage anyone dealing with a suspected concussion to download https://www.headcheck.com.au/

This site provides valuable information. It also enables a person to record the symptoms ensuring appropriate management is followed.

Following a concussion, it is expected a player will make a full recovery. However, there is a significant risk of permanent brain damage if a player was to sustain a second concussion before recovering from the first.

Any player who suffers a concussion or is suspected of having a concussion must be cleared by a medical doctor before returning to full training or a game.

Team Selection Policy

The Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club (‘the Club’) is a proud member of the Surf Coast community. We take our responsibility to support and develop our players seriously, helping them become confident and capable contributors to our local community.

We aim to do this, in part, by creating teams with players of similar capability, skill and application because that’s the best way, we believe, to help them develop and realise their potential within the team environment.

The purpose of this document is to clarify and communicate this team selection process. The policy applies to all competitive age groups and will guide selection both at the start of the season and provide guidelines for any changes to be made to teams during the season. It is supported and championed by the Club through its Committee.

NB, There will always be exceptions to a policy such as this and we understand that it will need to have some flexibility around particular considerations. While recognising that there will be these one-off considerations personal requests and preferences, although maybe taken into account won’t always be able to be accommodated.

The policy is informed by the Club’s Playing Philosophy and Coaches’ Charter has been approved by the club Committee.

This policy is available to all registered players and players’ families. Any questions of or contributions to this policy should be directed to the Club’s age group Coordinators or the Director of Coaching.

Team Selection Objectives

The Club aims to provide an environment that nurtures and develops players from the youngest participants in the Under 9’s through to those representing the club at Under 18 level. The objectives of the team selection process are:

• To provide players every possible opportunity to reach their maximum potential; and

• To create an open and supportive line of communication between coaches, players, parents and committee.

If we get this process right then the Club believes each player and each team will be strong, competitive, resilient and that we will achieve sustained on-field success.

Team Selection

The following table details the Club’s approach to and procedures for selecting teams, by age group, at the start of the season and for any changes that might be made through the year.

Point of Contact

The Club point of contact for its approach to team selection are Age Group Coordinators and Director of Coaching.

Sports Taping Policy

Unfortunately, tape will not be provided to players for injury prevention or when returning from injury. If a player chooses to use tape, the tape is to be provided by the player. The reason for this decision is that tape can be a huge financial burden to a club, and it is not of equal benefit to all members.

Whilst the Surf Coast FNC is happy for players to use tape, we also recommend that players complete an appropriate rehab exercise program. An exercise program in consultation with a health professional will maximise the chance of regaining agility and proprioception (awareness of the position and movement of the body) reduce the need for tape and decrease the risk of re-injury.

Where a player is receiving treatment for an injury, we request that the player inform their coach of the recommended workload and advised time frames for full training and return to games.

Complaints Policy and Procedures

AIM

The aim of this policy and associated procedures is to provide a framework for ensuring that any complaints or grievances brought forward by Surf Coast Suns Football and Netball Club (SCSFNC) members are dealt with in a timely and fair manner in accordance with the Constitution of the SCSFNC. Persons who may utilise this process include:

• Committee Members

• Club members

• Stakeholders

• Sponsors

• Community Members

POLICY

The SCSFNC accepts that club members and other community members may have reason for a complaint or grievance with the club that requires resolution. In the spirit of maintaining good relationships with members and the wider community the SCSFNC maintains that:

• All people have the right to have any complaint given careful consideration through a process that is both timely and respectful.

• All efforts will be made to achieve a co-operative resolution in an informal manner prior to lodgment of any formal complaint in writing to the club.

• Any person who makes a complaint to the club will not be treated adversely or suffer disadvantage as a result.

• In the event of a formal complaint being made, the SCSFNC Committee will consider this grievance in a timely and confidential manner.

• The SCSFNC Committee will document the steps required to achieve resolution.

PROCEDURES

Steps to making a complaint

The following steps are possible actions to be taken to make a complaint.

• The aggrieved party should first speak to the person(s) causing the problem if this is appropriate and they are comfortable doing so. This discussion should be used to inform the other party of the behavior or action that the complaint refers to and discuss potential solutions.

• Speak to an SCSFNC Committee member of the problem faced for advice on intervention and/or solution.

• Make a formal complaint to the SCSFNC Committee in writing using the Complaints Form.

• Seek in good faith to resolve the grievance with a mediator.

Resolution

In the event a complaint cannot be resolved in an informal manner, the process to be followed will be completed on the basis of openness, confidentiality, equality, respect and in a timely manner.

Formal Complaint Procedure

Should the aggrieved party wish to make a formal complaint, this must be done in writing, and submitted to the Secretary via admin@surfcoastsuns.com, unless the grievance concerns the Secretary directly then is should be submitted to the President via president@surfcoastsuns.com.

Resolution Procedures

• Upon receipt of a formal written complaint, this will be referred to the President. If the matter directly concerns the President then it will be referred to the Vice President and the President shall not contribute to the process on behalf of the Club.

• A meeting shall be arranged between the parties within 14 days of lodging of the complaint.

• Should the matter remain unresolved after this meeting, the parties must hold a meeting in the presence of a mediator.

• The mediator must be selected in accordance with the Constitution and be:

o A person chosen by agreement to all parties, and in the absence of agreement:

• In the case of a dispute between two members; a person appointed by the SCSFNC Committee

• In the case of a dispute between a member and the club; a person who is a mediator appointed or employed by the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (Department of Justice).

o A member of the club can be a mediator, unless they are a party to the dispute

• All parties must in good faith attempt to settle the dispute by mediation.

• The mediator must

o Give all parties every opportunity to be heard

o Allow due consideration of any written material submitted

o Ensure that natural justice is accorded to all parties

• The mediator must not determine the dispute

• Either party may seek independent advice through this process

SURF COAST SUNS FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB - COMPLAINTS FORM

While our Club makes every effort to get things right, sometimes problems occur. We have in place a complaints procedure that is intended to resolve any problem quickly and fairly. To ensure a swift response/resolution please complete the form below.

Your name

Your complaint will be acknowledged within 5 business days. An outcome or detailed update including next course of action will be provided within ten working days. A Club representative may contact you to obtain more information or clarification. If this occurs and more time is required, you will be provided with a detailed process that will be followed. All complaints are taken seriously in accordance with the Club Rules regarding grievance procedures and will dealt with in a confidential manner.

Communications and Privacy Policy

Communications and Privacy

Players and/or parents will be contacted by the Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club to ensure that relevant and necessary information relating to operations of the club shall be passed on in an open and transparent manner. Communications may be issued through a variety of platforms:

• Email
• Text message
• Phone
• In person
• Newsletter
• Website
• Facebook
• Purpose built sporting applications

It is advised that all players and/or parents should have current email addresses and phone numbers updated as necessary, to ensure effective communication.

The Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club will at no time give out any personal contact details of any player or parent to any third party. From time to time, the Surf Coast Suns may pass on information from a third party, if they see it as relevant to the club or our sponsors.

The Surf Coast Suns may from time to time pass on contact details of a Committee Member, Coordinator, Coach or Team Manager to a third party, only if it is relevant to that person’s role within the club.

Social Media

The Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club may take photos and/or video of players, parents and volunteers relating to the club. These images may be used through various platforms such as:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Website
• Newsletters
• Promotional materials

If you do not want any images of you or your child used in this way, you must contact the club in writing to advise of this.

Should any photo of you or your child be used on Facebook or other medium that you are not happy with, please advise the club immediately and it will be removed at the earliest possible time available to do so.

Media

From time to time a journalist or other person may contact you for a comment or question relating to the Surf Coast Suns Football Netball Club. If this happens, please contact the most senior club representative available, who will advise who is the best person for them to talk too.

Occasionally a journalist from a newspaper, television channel or other medium may film or photograph anyone from the club. If you notice anyone filming or taking photos, at games or events, please put them in touch with the most senior person from the club who is present, who will enquire about the situation. This could be a Team Manager, Coach, Parent Helper or Committee Member.

Articles or filming may take place by a media outlet without the Club knowing. Please be advised that there is little that we can do about this and the Suns recommend you contacting the media outlet personally, should there be any image you wish to be removed.

Media Contact

Please direct all media enquiries through the Club President who will advise on the appropriate course of action.

E. president@surfcoastsuns.com