Concussion Code of Conduct — Athletes and Parents/Guardians

Purpose and who it applies to

This Code sets out how athletes and families help prevent concussions and what happens when one is suspected at Shoot 360 Oakville. It is adapted from the Government of Ontario’s Sample Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes & Parents/Guardians under Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018.

Items marked with an asterisk (*) are required by O. Reg. 161/19 under Rowan’s Law. Athletes 18 to 25 commit on their own behalf. For athletes under 18, the athlete and a parent or guardian both commit.

Before reviewing this Code, also review the Government of Ontario Concussion Awareness Resource for the athlete’s age group (10 and under, 11 to 14, or 15 and up).

Designated concussion contact at every Shoot 360 Oakville session: [name and role, e.g. the Combine Lead]

1. I will help prevent concussions

• I will wear proper athletic clothing and non-marking court shoes, tied properly, and remove jewellery before activity.
• I will warm up, and build my skills and strength so I can take part safely and to the best of my ability.
• I will follow staff instructions and the rules for each station, including staying in my lane during sprints and agility drills and keeping clear of walls, rebounders and other players.
• I will not play around, shove, or throw or kick balls at other people.
• I will show fair play and respect for all other athletes, coaches, staff and officials.*

2. I will take concussions seriously

I understand that:

• A concussion is a brain injury. It can have short-term and long-term effects.
• A concussion can come from a hit to the head, face or neck. It can also come from a hit to the body that jolts the head, such as a fall on the court or a collision during a drill.
• I do not have to be knocked out to have a concussion.
• Continuing to play with a possible concussion raises my risk of worse, longer-lasting symptoms and of other injuries.

3. I will speak up for myself and others

• I commit to recognizing and reporting concussions. This includes reporting my own possible concussion, and telling the designated concussion contact when I think someone else may have one.* If I think I have a concussion, I will stop right away and tell a staff member.
• I will not hide symptoms. I will tell a Shoot 360 staff member, coach, parent or another adult I trust if I have any, such as headache, dizziness, blurry vision, nausea, feeling foggy, or not feeling right.
• If I see signs that another athlete might have a concussion, or they tell me about symptoms, I will tell a staff member or trusted adult so they can get help.

4. Removal and return to activity

I understand that:

• If staff suspect a concussion, I will be removed from activity immediately and will not return that day. For athletes under 18, staff will contact a parent or guardian right away.
• I cannot return to any Shoot 360 Oakville training, testing, games or programs until I have been assessed by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner and medically cleared.
• I commit to sharing relevant information about a removal from activity with my school and any other sport organization I am registered with.* Letting my other coaches and teachers know helps them support my recovery.
• I will take the time I need to recover, because my health comes first.
• I commit to supporting the return-to-sport process* and will follow the Shoot 360 Oakville Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport Protocol ([link to protocol]).
• I will respect the decisions of Shoot 360 staff, coaches, parents, doctors, nurse practitioners and other health-care professionals about my health and safety.

5. Zero tolerance for high-risk play

Shoot 360 Oakville has zero tolerance for play that carries a high risk of concussion. This includes intentional elbows or strikes to the head, undercutting or pushing a player who is in the air, flagrant shoving or tackling, and throwing a ball at another person.

• I commit to zero tolerance for this prohibited play.*
• I understand that prohibited play means I will be removed from the session, combine station or game right away.*
• I understand that athletes who repeatedly break this Code face escalating consequences:*
• First breach: removal from the activity and a conversation with the athlete (and parent or guardian, if under 18).
• Second breach: removal for the rest of the session or combine, without refund.
• Further breaches: suspension from Shoot 360 Oakville programs for a period set by management.

6. Parent and guardian commitments (athletes under 18)

As a parent or guardian, I will:

• Go over this Code and the Ontario Concussion Awareness Resource with my child, in terms suited to their age.
• Tell Shoot 360 staff before activity if my child has had a concussion or head injury in the past 12 months, or has symptoms.
• Make sure my child sees a medical doctor or nurse practitioner after a suspected concussion, and provide medical clearance before they return.
• Share information about a removal or diagnosis with my child’s school and other sport organizations they are registered with.*
• Support the return-to-sport process* and never pressure my child to play through symptoms.
• Model fair play and respect for athletes, coaches, staff and officials from the viewing area.*

7. Acknowledgement

By signing, I confirm that I have fully reviewed and commit to this Shoot 360 Oakville Concussion Code of Conduct. When signed online, this acknowledgement is recorded in Section 4 of the Combine Participant Waiver and is dated automatically.