Executive members of the Sault Female Hockey Association (SFHA) recently passed a motion to implement a comprehensive concussion protocol for the 2017/18 hockey season.

A partnership with Complete Concussion Management (CCMI) and the Sault’s Concussion Pro clinic includes the development of a concussion protocol policy; mandatory training and education for house league and rep coaches and managers; annual mandatory baseline testing for Wildcat rep players ages eight and older; as well as educational opportunities for house league/rep parents and players. Additionally, SFHA will recommend concussion baseline testing for house league players eight years of age and older.

“Female athletes are more susceptible to injuries like concussions, especially when playing sports such as hockey,” said Darrin MacLachlan, SFHA Director of Coach & Player Development. “Through this partnership, we are putting the safety of our players first by providing them, as well as their parents and coaches, with information on how to identify potential injuries and giving them immediate access to care that includes an assessment and treatment (if needed) to make a full recovery.

“Our coaches and managers, for both house league and Wildcat rep teams, will be trained and have access to a mobile app that leads them through assessment of a potential concussion without leaving the bench. This will help them make informed decisions on whether an athlete should continue with the current on-ice activity. Additionally, a concussion practitioner from either Concussion Pro or another recognized CCMI clinic if our teams are travelling throughout North America will be immediately notified of the injury and next steps can be determined.”

Sport-related concussions are the most common neurological injury that occurs at all levels of athletic participation, and many athletes may be unaware of the symptoms or potential risks. CCMI provides comprehensive evidence-based concussion training and education to multi-disciplinary healthcare practitioners, as well as the Concussion Sideline Course to coaches, trainers and teachers to inform how to understand, recognize and safely manage a concussed athlete. From pre-injury assessments to treatment and rehabilitation, CCMI’s network of recognized clinics and trained practitioners offer accessible and timely care to manage concussions. Recognized clinics have the ability to co-manage patients with local family doctors and, for complex cases, advanced care specialists. CCMI has a proven track record of developing and implementing concussion policies and programs for local, provincial, and national sports associations, schools, and school boards across Canada. For more information, visit www.completeconcussions.com.

Concussion Pro, located in Merlino Chiropractic Health Centre at The Tech, is the only CCMI certified concussion practitioner clinic in Sault Ste. Marie.

Sault Female Hockey Association provides hockey programming including learn-to-play, house league, and rep competitive teams, for local girls ages 4-21 who want to play the game of hockey in a supportive, fun environment. For more information, visit www.saultgirlshockey.ca