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.

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.

NetSetGo Policy

NetSetGo Policy

The Surf Coast Suns NetSetGo sessions are a great way to introduce boys and girls to netball. In a safe environment, kids will have fun while developing fundamental motor skills and learning how to interact socially with other kids.

NetSetGo is open to kids from 5-10 years of age and your children will learn the basic skills of netball such as:

• Throwing, passing and catching

• Take off and landing

• Pivot

• Change of direction

• Goal shooting

• Movement skills

• Team work

• Communication

The Suns NetSetGo Coordinator will encourage kids through positive interactions and will not tolerate bullying or harassment of any sort. 

Player Code of Behaviour

By registering your child in the Suncorp NetSetGo competition you agree that your child understands and will adhere to the Player Code of Behaviour:

1. Play within the spirit of the game and by the rules of the competition.

2. Never argue with a coordinator, coach or volunteer parent/guardian.

3. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another participant.

4. Show respect to all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion. 

Parents and Spectators Code of Conduct

By registering your child in the Suncorp NetSetGo competition you agree that you will adhere to the Parents and Spectators Code of Conduct:

1. Encourage children to participate regardless of ability.

2. Encourage participants to always play by the rules.

3. Never ridicule mistakes or losses.

4. Remember that participants learn best by example. Applaud good play by all participants

5. Always discourage racial abuse.

6. Recognise the value and importance of volunteers.

7. Remember that participants play for fun and are not miniature professionals.

8. Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it by spectators, coaches, officials or players.

9. Demonstrate exemplary behaviour by not using foul language, or harassing participants, coaches or officials.

10. Refrain from smoking or consuming alcohol whilst spectating. 

Photographs

You consent to the Surf Coast Suns using your child’s name or image in any form or medium for general marketing and promotional activities. If you do not wish to consent to your child’s name and image being used please notify the Surf Coast Suns NetSetGo Coordinator immediately.

Session Times

NetSetGo session times are held on Friday evenings from 5-600pm at Banyul-Warri Fields in Torquay. The first session will commence on the first Friday of the second school term resuming and will run for 15 weeks. NetSetGo will have a two week break during the winter school holiday period

Parent Participation

Kids are better supported to develop their skills and enjoy themselves more when parents and carers get involved in the planned sessions and activities. From time to time, you will be asked to help with running NetSetGo sessions. 

BBQs

We run a BBQ every Friday night for NetSetGo sessions. This is a great way for the club to raise a bit more funding to be spent on more equipment. You may be asked to assist in cooking and serving at our BBQs.