Saturday morning at a local oval on the Mornington Peninsula usually looks the same: junior teams warming up, parents on the sideline, and a first aid kit tucked near the bench. What most clubs do not have is a clear, written plan for what happens in the first few minutes after a head knock. That gap is where confusion, delay and inconsistent decisions tend to creep in.
An emergency action plan (EAP) for concussion is not about complicated medical protocols. It is a simple, agreed process that helps coaches, first aiders and club officials know exactly what to do the moment a player goes down with a suspected head injury. For community clubs across McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud and Rye, having this plan in place before the season starts can make those first few minutes far less stressful for everyone involved.
Why every club needs a written plan, not just good intentions
Most coaches and team managers care deeply about player welfare, but good intentions do not replace a clear process. When a player is dazed, slow to get up, or clearly not themselves after a collision, decisions need to be made quickly and consistently, regardless of who happens to be on the sideline that day. A written EAP removes guesswork by setting out roles, steps and contact details in advance, so nobody is trying to figure out what to do while a young athlete is sitting on the ground.
Recognised concussion frameworks, including those used by Complete Concussions (CCMI) and referenced in AFL concussion guidelines, consistently emphasise the same principle: when in doubt, sit them out. An EAP puts that principle into a practical sequence the whole club can follow.
What a basic emergency action plan should cover
A club-level EAP does not need to be lengthy or technical. It generally needs to answer a handful of practical questions so that anyone on the sideline can act with confidence.
- Who is responsible for recognising a possible head injury and stopping play or substituting the player
- What immediate signs and symptoms should trigger removal from the field (loss of consciousness, confusion, balance issues, headache, nausea, vomiting, or simply “not looking right”)
- Who has the authority to call an ambulance for red flag signs, such as worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, or loss of consciousness
- Where the player will be kept safe and supervised until a parent, guardian or appropriate health professional can take over
- Who contacts the family, and what information is passed on
- What happens next — including guidance that the player should not return to training or games that day, and should be assessed before any graded return to sport
Clubs that run junior AFL, netball, football (soccer), basketball or cricket can all use the same basic structure, adjusted slightly for the sport’s typical injury patterns and the number of officials on hand each week.
The role of first aiders and coaches on the day
First aiders and coaches are usually the first people to notice something is wrong, but they are not expected to diagnose a concussion on the sideline. Their job under an EAP is recognition and safe removal from play, not clinical assessment. This is an important distinction for clubs to understand, because it takes pressure off volunteers who are not health professionals while still keeping players safe.
Once a player has been removed from the field, the EAP should make it clear that a same-day return to play is not appropriate if a head injury is suspected. This is consistent with community sport concussion guidelines used across Australian sporting codes and reduces the risk of a young athlete being sent back out before it is appropriate.
Why follow-up assessment matters after the sideline decision
An EAP covers the first few minutes, but concussion management does not stop once a player leaves the ground. Symptoms can evolve over the following hours and days, and a structured follow-up helps families understand what a sensible, staged return to school, training and competition might look like.
This is where concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula can support the decisions families and clubs need to make. Baseline and post-injury assessment does not prevent concussion or guarantee a safe return to play, but it can help build a clearer picture of a young athlete’s recovery alongside other clinical information, supporting more informed, individualised decisions rather than guesswork about when someone is “probably fine”.
Clubs that encourage families to seek concussion assessment as part of their EAP process are giving parents and coaches an extra layer of information to work with, rather than leaving return-to-play timing to memory or assumption.
Building an EAP that suits your club
Every club is different. A netball association in Rosebud might have different staffing on match day than a junior football club in Dromana or a cricket club near Rye. The details of an EAP should reflect what is realistically achievable for the volunteers and officials involved, while still covering the core steps of recognition, removal, escalation and follow-up.
Clubs do not need to build this from scratch. Structured education sessions can walk committees, coaches and first aiders through what a workable plan looks like, using recognised frameworks as a starting point rather than reinventing the process. Attending a free concussion workshop is a practical way for local clubs to get their EAP conversation started with the whole coaching group in the room.
Putting it into practice this season
An emergency action plan is only useful if people actually know it exists. Once a plan is drafted, it is worth running through it at pre-season meetings, printing a simple version for the first aid kit, and making sure new coaches and team managers are briefed each year. Consistency matters more than complexity — a short, clear plan that everyone understands will always outperform a detailed document nobody has read.
For clubs across the Mornington Peninsula, from McCrae down to Rye, taking the time to formalise this process before the season gets underway is a straightforward way to support safer, more confident decision-making around junior and community sport head injuries.
Frequently asked questions
Does a sports club need a written emergency action plan for concussion?
While it is not always a strict legal requirement, having a written plan is widely recommended by community sport bodies and concussion frameworks like Complete Concussions (CCMI). It helps coaches and first aiders act consistently and confidently when a head injury occurs, rather than relying on memory in a stressful moment.
Who should be responsible for removing a player from the field after a head knock?
Any coach, team manager or first aider present should have the authority to remove a player if a head injury is suspected. The emergency action plan should clearly name who holds this responsibility on match day so there is no hesitation or confusion.
Can concussion testing tell us if a player is safe to return to play?
Testing supports the overall picture but does not, on its own, guarantee a safe return to play. It provides useful information that, alongside individual assessment, helps families and health professionals make more informed decisions about a graded return to training and competition.
What are the warning signs that mean an ambulance should be called?
Signs such as loss of consciousness, seizures, repeated vomiting, worsening headache, or increasing confusion are considered red flags. An emergency action plan should clearly state that these signs require an immediate call to emergency services rather than a wait-and-see approach.
How can a local club get help setting up an emergency action plan?
Many clubs start by attending an educational session that walks committees and coaches through the basics of recognition, removal and follow-up care. A free concussion workshop is one practical option for Mornington Peninsula clubs wanting to build this into their season planning.
Concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula
To learn more or arrange concussion testing, assessment or return-to-play support, visit our concussion testing page or book an appointment online with The Seaside Osteo in McCrae.
This article is general information for Mornington Peninsula families and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If you suspect a concussion, seek advice from a qualified health practitioner, and call 000 if there are emergency warning signs.