OGHS rugby have taken up the invitation to be involved in pilot study designed to improve the safety of our female rugby players. This will, in particular, be looking at strategies to manage and monitor possible concussion.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Otago Rugby and Football Union are committed to reducing the risk of concussion and making our game as safe as possible.

Research focused on concussion prevention and management has highlighted the importance of educating players and other stakeholders about concussions.

An initial meeting with all parents, players, coaches and managers will be held on Wednesday 28 March from 5 to 6pm in the Sport Otago Building. This is beside the Sports Institute near the University Oval. You will need to meet at the reception area by 4.45pm

The follow up session on Wednesday 4 and 11 April will require players, coaches and managers:

- To attend a 10-minute education session providing advice on how to identify the signs and symptoms of concussion and what to do following a concussion.
- To participate in a five-minute pre-season baseline assessment of each player’s cognitive function and memory to be loaded to a new phone App developed by NZR.

How does it work?

If a player sustains a suspected concussion, their coach or team manager will log into the App, locate the player and log a suspected concussion. The App will trigger an email notification to the player and their parents containing a unique code which they will take to their GP.

The code will enable the GP to access the players baseline assessment which they will use to help make a concussion diagnosis and/or a return to play decision. (NZR’s mandatory 23-day stand-down period will NOT change).

Will there be any cost to players, parents, clubs?

No. NZR will reimburse costs for any medical visits relating to the concussion (both the diagnosis and the medical clearance).

Is there an on-going commitment after the season?

NZ Rugby would like to conduct some focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders at your school (players, parents, coaches, managers) to evaluate the effectiveness of the study in order to understand what worked well and areas which need improvement or clarification.