Port District Football Club boosted by new concussion strategy

A local SA footy club has developed a new strategy to prevent and monitor concussions which could take the state by storm at junior and senior level.

A local SA footy club has implemented a new concussion strategy which could take the state by storm in a bid to protect its junior and senior players through the long term.

The Port District Football Club has been using a QR code-based concussion register and information system since round 10 of the junior footy season which it says has significantly improved its ability to monitor and protect players.

The procedure – developed by club club volunteers Rachael Kay and Sophie Rowe – ensures that every junior team manager at the club has a QR code on game and training days which can be scanned to take them to a club-wide concussion register in which a player’s name will be entered if they have picked up a head knock or concussion.

The parents of the player are then sent a letter with simplified requirements for care or observation based on SANFL and AFL concussion policy.

Port District volunteers Sophie Rowe and Rachael Kay with juniors Macie Rowe and Connor Day at Largs Bay. Picture: Ben Clark

“It started around when the tragic incident at Birdwood happened – I got a call from a friend who is part of that club and I just got to thinking about what we could do to improve how we monitor concussions at Port District and protect our kids,” junior football president Andrew Marks said.

“I went to Rachael and Sophie who both have medical experience and then to the committee and we came up with this current system.

“Not only does it make sure team managers, coaches, players and parents are across concussion protocols and symptoms, but we’ve now got a database to keep an eye on players who have had head knocks and can take extra care if they’ve got a history of incidences.”

The procedure has already had a significant impact at the club, with a number of juniors being monitored closely under the system.

The system had also promoted more education around concussion for parents, players and other club members.

Port District volunteers Sophie Rowe and Rachael Kay at Largs Bay. The two have developed a successful concussion strategy which could take off in local SA footy. Picture: Ben Clark

“With almost everybody being a volunteer we’ve now got simplified protocols and a guide which clearly states what the team manager, the first aider and the families need to do if a player picks up a head knock or concussion, it’s much easier for everyone involved,” first aider Sophie Rowe said.

“Two concussions so far have been logged after the fact because the parents were more aware of the symptoms. It just ensures everyone is compliant with concussion policy and doing their due diligence to protect the players.”

Club parent Rachael Kay – who also works with the Central Adelaide Local Health Network – said she hoped more clubs around the state on a similar program.

“It’s been really helpful in a number of ways. It will allow us to assess what we’re doing as a club which might lead to concussions, if we have a specific team which is picking up concussions at training for example,” she said.

“We’re going to see the system implemented across all our senior grades and we’ve already had other clubs reach out to us. We’ve even had a hockey club reach out.

“We think this kind of thing should be standard in any kind of sport where you’ve got the potential for concussion. It’s so important.”