The AYSO Safe Haven and Safety Director programs have been promoting since 2009 the recommendations provided by the U.S. Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Heads Up program for concussion awareness and safety. Since then, 35 states plus the District of Columbia have passed concussion legislation, most of which came onto the books within the last year. Other states have similar laws pending.
In response to increasing concerns about the potential risks associated with concussions and to these new state laws, the AYSO National Board of Directors launched a Concussion Task Force to develop recommendations for AYSO Regions and families. The NBOD has approved its recommendations:
- Use of the AYSO/CDC Concussion Information Sheet to inform all parents and players about the signs and symptoms of concussion and the associated risks. Find the Information Sheet at: http://www.ayso.org/resources/safety.aspx
- ALL coaches, referees, and Section, Area and Region Board Members are to take the free online Concussion Awareness Training.
Go to http://www.aysotraining.org/
- Enter your AYSO ID and last name.
- Under the “AYSO’S SAFE HAVEN”, Click on “START NOW”
- Under “Safe Haven”, click on “CDC Concussion Awareness Training”
After you complete the course, double check that the certification is reflected on your eAYSO record. To do so, log in to your account at www.eayso.org and click on “View certification.
- Any player suspected by the coach, referee or parent to have a concussion must be removed from further participation for at least the remainder of the day, and
- Parents should be encouraged to seek professional medical treatment at the time of injury and secure medical clearance before being allowed to return to play. In all cases, AYSO will require the parent to sign a new Participation Release Form which includes a concussion waiver confirming that the player has been given the appropriate clearance to return to play.
Here are a few of the helpful Steps/Measures to remember relating to concussion awareness and safety issues:
- Coaches are required to complete an AYSO Incident Report whenever a concussion has been suspected and turn it into the Safety Director.
- The Safety Director must forward a copy of the AYSO Incident Report to insurance@ayso.org and make sure the injured player’s parents are informed about AYSO’s Soccer Accident Insurance.
- Coaches must require a signed Participation Release Form from the parent/guardian before a player having a concussion or suspected of having a concussion is allowed to return to play. Parents should always be encouraged to seek appropriate medical care and medical clearance. The signed Medical Release is also mandatory before return to play.
- The signed Participation Release and any Medical Release must be given to the Safety Director and forwarded to insurance@ayso.org.
Please direct any questions to Region 13 Safety Director Dan Jeffries at dan.jeffries@ymail.com or Regional Commissioner Steve Bickel at rc@ayso13.org.
Regards,
Steve Bickel
Regional Commissioner
AYSO Region 13
