Ashley River Soccer Club

Introduction

 

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal brain function. Medically a concussion is a complex, pathophysiological event to the brain that is induced by trauma which may or may not involve a loss of consciousness (LOC). Concussion results in a constellation of physical, cognitive, emotional, and sleep-related symptoms. Signs or symptoms may last from several minutes to day, weeks or even longer in some cases.

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The Ashley River Soccer Club (ARSC) is adopting this policy as part of its obligation to provide a safe playing environment for its players.

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Awareness of concussion and effects of concussion on players, especially youth players, has increased over the past decade.  Medically, a concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury.  Because it is a brain injury, a concussion is not a visible injury, such as a broken arm.  It requires time to heal properly, involving both physical and mental rest.  Consequences may include loss of coordination or memory, vision problems, learning issues and changes in emotions and behavior.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established the HEADS UP: Concussion in Youth Sports program and tool kit to provide training to coaches, athletes and parents regarding concussions.  The State of South Carolina passed the “Student athlete concussions, guidelines, management Act,” signed into law 2013 to establish standards for managing concussions and traumatic brain injuries to student athletes, regarding youth athletes, concussions, and return to play.

 

Preventative Action Plan

 

Ashley River Soccer Club shall be required to provide educational materials to their members-including but not limited to coaches, players and parents.  Materials may be in electronic or traditional formats.  Our club will put forth our best efforts to educate and test all coaches via options available by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  ARSC will be responsible for the enforcement of these procedures.  The testing and education of our coaches, players, and parents will fall under the direct supervision of the ARSC Sporting Director..

 

Pre-Season Requirements

All coaches participating in ARSC programs are required to complete concussion awareness training prior to working with players. Training must be completed through one of the following approved sources:

 

U.S. Soccer’s Recognize to Recover – Head and Brain Injuries

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CDC’s HEADS UP Concussion Program

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Proof of completion must be submitted to the club annually and kept on file. Coaches are expected to recognize the signs and symptoms of concussion and follow the club’s established Remove, Evaluate, and Refer procedures in the event of a suspected head injury.  Failure to complete the required training may result in suspension from coaching duties.

 

Parents and Players

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ARSC is committed to the safety and well-being of all athletes. As part of this commitment, all parents and athletes are required to educate themselves on concussion awareness annually.

 

Families must review concussion education materials from one of the following approved resources:

 

U.S. Soccer’s Recognize to Recover – Head and Brain Injuries

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CDC’s HEADS UP Concussion Program

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By participating in ARSC activities, parents and athletes acknowledge their responsibility to understand the signs, symptoms, and proper response to concussions. This education is a critical part of promoting a safe playing environment for all players.

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Season Requirements          

 

Any player exhibiting the signs or symptoms of a concussion or traumatic brain injury while participating in sanctioned soccer activity (training, games, tournaments, and scrimmages) shall be removed by the coach from participation at that time. In addition, coaches should not allow a child to participate if they are aware of a concussion received from another activity, outside of their direct authority.  

 

The coach shall not return a child to soccer participation until the child is evaluated and cleared for return to participation in writing by an a licensed physician who is trained in the evaluation and management of concussions or a licensed or certified health care professional trained in the evaluation and management of concussions and designated by such licensed physician.

 

The coach must notify the ARSC Sporting Director by phone or email that the child has been released to play and turns in the written clearance to the ARSC Sporting Director immediately upon receipt.

 

Disciplinary Action for Violating this Policy

 

ARSC shall institute minimum penalties for a coach found in violation of this policy.  

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• For a first violation, suspension from coaching for the remainder of the season.

• For a second violation, suspension from all soccer activity for the remainder of the season and for the next season.

• For a third violation, permanent suspension from all soccer activity.

ARSC will use an Board of Directors hearing to review and enforce punishment for violations of the policy with the coach in question.