Community sport across the Mornington Peninsula gives young people so much — fitness, friendship and a sense of belonging on the field or court. But as more girls and young women take up AFL, netball, football (soccer), basketball and cricket, it’s worth pausing to talk about a topic that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves: concussion in female athletes.
Concussion awareness has grown enormously in junior and community sport over the past decade, largely driven by frameworks like the AFL concussion guidelines and education programs such as Complete Concussions (CCMI). Yet much of the general conversation around concussion has historically centred on male athletes. Emerging understanding suggests female athletes may experience concussion differently in some respects, which is exactly why parents, coaches and clubs across McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud and Rye should be paying close attention.
Why Female Athletes Need Specific Attention
Concussion can affect any junior athlete, regardless of sport or gender. However, growing interest in sports medicine research has highlighted that female athletes may sometimes report symptoms differently, or take a different recovery trajectory, compared with their male counterparts. This doesn’t mean one group is more “at risk” than another — it means blanket assumptions about what concussion looks like can lead to signs being missed or dismissed, particularly in girls’ and women’s community sport where awareness campaigns have traditionally had less visibility.
For coaches and club volunteers, this simply reinforces a principle that applies to every junior athlete: never assume, always check. A young athlete who seems “fine” after a knock can still be concussed, and symptoms don’t always appear immediately.
Recognising the Signs Isn’t Always Straightforward
Concussion doesn’t always involve a loss of consciousness or an obvious collision. Signs can be physical, cognitive or emotional, and they can take hours to fully emerge. Some common indicators coaches, teachers and parents should watch for include:
- Headache, dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea or sensitivity to light and noise
- Confusion, slowed thinking or difficulty concentrating
- Unusual emotional responses, such as irritability or tearfulness
- Fatigue or changes in sleep in the days following an incident
Because these signs can be subtle, education for coaches and club officials matters just as much as education for athletes themselves. Programs based on frameworks like those from Complete Concussions aim to give community clubs simple, practical tools for recognising a possible concussion and responding appropriately — which starts with removing the athlete from play.
“Play On” Culture and Why It Needs to Change
Junior and community sport can carry a strong culture of toughing things out, and this pressure isn’t limited to any one gender. Female athletes in particular may feel they need to prove their commitment to the team, which can make them less likely to report symptoms. Building a club culture where reporting a possible head knock is seen as responsible — not weak — is one of the most protective things a community sporting club can do.
This is where clear communication from clubs, schools and families helps. When young athletes know that sitting out after a suspected concussion is standard practice rather than a punishment, they’re more likely to speak up early.
Supporting Informed Decisions With Concussion Testing
Baseline and post-injury concussion testing can be a useful part of a broader approach to head injury management. Testing does not prevent concussion, and no test can guarantee an athlete is “safe” to return to play — rather, it provides additional information that, alongside clinical assessment, can help support more informed decisions about recovery and graduated return to sport.
For families across the Mornington Peninsula, having access to concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula means young athletes don’t need to travel far for an assessment grounded in recognised frameworks. Our osteopaths are trained through Complete Concussions (CCMI), giving them a structured, evidence-informed approach to concussion education and management for junior athletes.
What Parents and Clubs Can Do Locally
Whether your junior athlete plays for a club in McCrae, Rosebud, Dromana or Rye, there are practical steps that support safer sport for everyone:
- Encourage open conversations about symptoms, without judgement
- Make sure coaches and team managers understand basic concussion recognition
- Follow a graduated, step-by-step return-to-sport approach rather than rushing back
- Seek assessment after any suspected head knock, even if symptoms seem mild
Community education plays a big role here too. Our free concussion workshop is designed to give parents, coaches and club volunteers practical, evidence-based knowledge they can apply on the sideline, helping build a culture of awareness across junior and community sport on the Peninsula.
A Shared Responsibility
Improving concussion awareness for female athletes isn’t about singling out one group as more vulnerable — it’s about making sure every young athlete, regardless of the sport they play or their gender, is given equal attention when it comes to head injury. As community sport continues to grow across the Mornington Peninsula, ongoing education for clubs, coaches and families remains one of the most valuable tools available for supporting safer participation.
Frequently asked questions
Are female athletes more likely to get concussed than male athletes?
Research in this area is still developing, and risk can vary by sport, position and individual factors. What matters most for parents and clubs is applying the same careful recognition and response process to every junior athlete, regardless of gender.
Do symptoms of concussion look different in girls and young women?
Some athletes report symptoms differently, and recovery experiences can vary between individuals. This is one reason blanket assumptions aren’t helpful — any suspected head knock should be taken seriously and properly assessed.
What should a coach do if they suspect a player has a concussion?
The athlete should be removed from play immediately and not returned to the game or training that day. They should be monitored and referred for appropriate assessment, following a recognised framework such as the AFL concussion guidelines.
Can concussion testing guarantee my child is safe to return to sport?
No test can guarantee safety or predict outcomes with certainty. Concussion testing is one tool that, alongside clinical assessment, helps support more informed decisions about a graduated return to sport.
Where can families on the Mornington Peninsula access concussion education?
Our free concussion workshop is available to parents, coaches and community clubs across the Mornington Peninsula, offering practical education based on recognised concussion management frameworks.
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.