CONCUSSION SAFETY
The Nebraska Concussion Awareness Act (the "Act") is a piece of legislation enacted to protect athletes from the potential dangers of concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries. The Act applies to athletes participating in youth sports organizations such as the Gretna Athletic Club. The Act is a significant step towards ensuring the safety of athletes in Nebraska. It emphasizes the importance of education, immediate action in the event of a suspected concussion, and cautious return-to-play procedures. Key provisions of the Act include:
EDUCATION & TRAINING. The Act mandates that concussion and brain injury information be made available to coaches, athletes, and parents or guardians. This includes the nature and risk of concussions, the criteria for removal from and return to play, and the risks of not reporting the injury and continuing to play.
REMOVAL FROM PLAY. Under the Act, an athlete suspected of having sustained a concussion or brain injury in a practice or game must be immediately removed from participation.
RETURN TO PLAY. Before an athlete can return to play, they must be evaluated by a licensed health care professional and receive written clearance. The health care professional must be trained in the evaluation and management of traumatic brain injuries.
In an effort to comply with the Act, our organization is taking the following steps:
All our coaches and instructors are required to complete concussion training through the CDC or other similar organizations. We strongly encourage all parents and guardians to also complete similar training(s).
Ensuring our coaches, instructors, and volunteers are familiar with background information regarding concussions and making available fact sheets and other relevant materials.
Immediately removing any athletes from participation who have suffered or are suspected to have suffered any type of head injury and requiring written clearance from a licensed health care professional before returning to participation.