Keeping our students safe

Concussion in Sport

A concussion may be caused by collision with another person or object that involves a direct or indirect force to the head, face, neck or elsewhere with a force transmitted to the head. A child does not need to be knocked out (lose consciousness) to have concussion; 92% of concussion injuries do not involve any loss of consciousness. 

Concussions in young people account for 90% of all traumatic brain injuries, with one in five children experiencing a concussion by the age of 10 years. The most common causes of concussion in young people are falls and sports-related activities. 

Signs and symptoms of concussion

If a student receives a bump or blow to the head or body that causes a jarring of the head or neck, they should stop the activity they were engaged in immediately. It is then vital to monitor the student for signs and symptoms of concussion. For subtle concussions, it is not always the medical practitioners who will pick up on the signs, instead it is people who know the young person well - parents, carers, teachers and friends. Signs and symptoms may not show up until 24 - 48 hours after the head injury.

Signs observed by others

• Appearing dazed or stunned
• Repeating questions
• Confused about events
• Can’t recall events before or after the injury
• Showing personality or behaviour changes

Symptoms reported by the young person

• Headache or “pressure” in the head
• Dizziness and/or loss of balance
• Weakness, numbness or tingling in the arms, legs or face
• Feeling tired (fatigued)
• Sensitivity to light and/or noise
• Does not “feel right”
• Feeling more emotional, e.g. sad or nervous
• Trouble thinking clearly, concentrating or remembering

If a student has any of the signs or symptoms listed, they should be assessed by a doctor. 

The Australian Medical Association recommends students being symptom free of concussion for 14 days before returning to sport. If your child/ward sustains a concussion, or experiences any concussion symptoms, in the 14 days period prior to the event commencing, you must report this to school, and a medical clearance (Concussion clearance statement) is required in order for your child/ward to participate in the event. 

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