$300,000 will be provided to the South Australian Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) to assist in the delivery of its Community Concussion Program.

The program will aim to provide all members of the sporting community, including coaches, players, parents, officials and teachers, with the confidence to administer assistance and provide the correct care and advice.

If appropriately managed, most symptoms and signs of concussion can be resolved, however, complications can occur, including prolonged symptoms and increased susceptibility to further injury.

SASMA will deliver 18 workshops with sporting associations and clubs each year for the next three years; six of which are to be held in regional areas.

The Community Concussion Program was launched at Adelaide Oval last Wednesday with the launch event featuring an expert panel on recent developments in the concussion management space and the important roles everyone can play in the future.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Katrine Hildyard

Concussion can be an invisible injury that can lead to the most tragic consequences and devastating, long-term effects on South Australians, sometimes well after the immediate impact of injury and their sporting career comes to an end.

There is much to do to improve understanding of these effects, to build community capacity to tackle them and to shift culture about the seriousness of concussion, that it is not just ‘part of the play’ and the need to effectively and expeditiously support those who experience it.

The State Government is determined to ensure South Australians can safely enjoy the physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing benefits of an active lifestyle.

To help do so, we are really proud to be part of educating and improving safety for sport participants through funding SASMA’s Community Concussion Program.

It is critical that we arm the generous volunteers at community sport clubs across our state with as much knowledge and confidence as possible to help keep their members safe and able to continue to play the sport they love.

I offer my wholehearted gratitude to the SASMA team and their network of medical practitioners who are volunteering their time to educate club volunteers. This program is a shining example of what can be achieved through funding crucial collaborations that build community capacity to support people through really difficult circumstances.

Quotes attributable to Danielle Grant-Cross, South Australian Sports Medicine Association CEO

There is much work to do in the concussion space and we are all aware of the ongoing concerns in relation to identifying concussion, the management, referral and rehabilitation back to school, work and sport/activity.

Education is the key and everyone has a role to play – players, parents, coaches, sports trainers, club officials, first aid and administrators of sport – in following the 3 Rs: RECOGNISE, REMOVE, REFERAL.

We need to ensure standard processes and practices are adhered too, to support players’ welfare and to support safe physical activity.

Concussion is serious and we have a plan to reduce the impact of head injury in sports participants and this is only possible through Minister Hildyard and the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing’s financial support.  

By staying at the forefront of concussion management, we are committed to safeguarding the health and safety of individuals participating in sports at all levels. If in doubt, sit them out!