Head hits and other risky contact in youth sport — even if unintentional — must be punished with immediate removal from the game, says a report from an expert committee on concussion safety.

Offenders should also be banned from the next game if the "dangerous behaviours" occur in the last quarter of play, recommends Rowan's Law Advisory Committee.

The report, which details concussion prevention and management in amateur sport and in schools across the province, includes a number of recommendations that would force mandatory training for coaches, health care professionals and teachers as well as better monitoring and tracking of injuries.

It also urges sports organizations to develop codes of conduct with rules that include "the adoption and enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy . . . for prohibited head hits, high tackles and other dangerous behaviours, which are considered high risk for causing concussions or head injuries. This should apply equally whether the action was intentional or unintentional."

Rowan Stringer, an Ottawa-area teen, died in 2013 after a head injury she suffered playing rugby with her school team.

Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod, whose private member's bill led to the creation of the committee, was pleased to see that a new "Rowan's Law" is on the way.

MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton) said that as a mother and hockey trainer herself, "when you see a kid get hit in the head, whether intentional or not intentional, it still means they could have traumatic brain injury, it could mean they have a severe concussion, it could mean they are going to be fine.

"But I think we have to take precautions, particularly in youth sport — these are developing brains."

Ontario's minister of culture and sport said she expects to introduce legislation "in relatively short order" after seeking input from sports groups.

"Legislation is critically important," but there also needs to be a culture shift around dangerous hits similar to the social change that made drinking and driving socially unacceptable, said Eleanor McMahon.

"It's an 'all hands on deck' approach," she said at Queen's Park on Thursday. "When you have to change behaviour, it needs everybody on board."

The government will consider putting some teeth in the legislation regarding enforcement of the rules, McMahon said, because it will need a "carrot and stick associated with it."

The release of the report from the Rowan's Law committee came as the Canadian Football League announced it is ending full-contact practices during the regular season, as a way to curb injuries.

A 2015 coroner's inquest into Rowan's death made dozens of recommendations, which the committee was asked to examine and advise the government on. The committee included former NHL superstar Eric Lindros, whose career was cut short because of numerous concussions.

Scott Oakman, executive director of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, said a number of changes have been introduced in recent years banning bodychecking in some competitive divisions and age groups.

The GTHL relies on Hockey Canada rules for penalties associated with head contact, including a two-minute penalty if it's accidental, four minutes if it's on purpose and the option of a five-minute penalty and ejection from the game and subsequent ones.

However, in the GTHL, referees can call a four-minute penalty if the intentional contact "is such that the helmet absorbs the impact." Five minutes however, is mandatory if injury is involved.

Oakman said coaches and referees undergo extensive training, and refs are routinely monitored on the job. He believes there should be a distinction between accidental and deliberate contact.

But for Scarborough mother Christine Lingard, whose son suffered multiple concussions, the hockey league isn't doing enough. The kids who caused her son's first two head injuries didn't spend any time in the penalty box, despite the fact that both were deliberate hits and punches, she said.

Her son, now 18, went through four difficult years of healing after the hockey concussions, as well as others from running — he tripped — and skateboarding. He played hockey at what was supposed to be a non-contact level, she said, because they thought that would be safer.

Des missed months of school, dealt with constant headaches and frequent nausea during those years, she said.

"I do believe things have to change. Something has to be done. Somebody has to step in and protect kids," she said. "I'm sorry — coaches, refs, they don't pay attention. They say they are, but I don't believe they are. It's having too much impact on kids' lives."

- Collision Course: Concussions are ticking time bomb for former players

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

- Collision Course: 'I would have had one every game,' ex-player says of concussions

- Collision Course: Nowhere to turn for players affected by concussions

- Collision Course: A Spectator report on the science of hard head knocks