Junior sports clubs across the Mornington Peninsula are increasingly asked to consider concussion baseline testing for their players. Whether it’s an AFL club in Rosebud, a netball association in Dromana, or a football (soccer) club in Rye, committee members and coaches are often the ones fielding parent questions about what baseline testing actually involves and whether it’s worth arranging.
Not all providers offer the same thing, and not every testing approach suits every club or budget. Before signing up, it helps to know what to ask so your club can make an informed choice. This guide walks through the key questions worth raising with any provider, including clinics offering concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula.
What Is Baseline Testing, and What Isn’t It?
Baseline testing involves recording a player’s normal cognitive, balance and symptom scores before the season starts. If a concussion is later suspected, clinicians can compare post-injury results against that individual’s own baseline rather than relying on generic population averages. It’s important to understand that baseline testing does not prevent concussion and cannot guarantee a safe return to play on its own. It is one tool that supports a broader clinical assessment, used alongside a full history, physical examination and gradual return-to-play protocol.
Ask any provider to explain, in plain terms, how the baseline results would actually be used if one of your players is injured. A provider who can clearly describe this process, rather than making broad promises, is generally giving you a more accurate picture.
What Qualifications and Training Does the Provider Have?
Concussion management sits at the intersection of sports medicine and allied health, so it’s reasonable to ask about a practitioner’s specific training in this area. Ask whether staff have completed recognised concussion education, such as the Complete Concussions (CCMI) framework, and whether they stay current with guidelines like those published for Australian football and other community sports. Also ask who is delivering the testing day to day, and how many practitioners are involved for a squad of your size.
What Does the Testing Process Actually Involve?
Baseline assessments can vary quite a bit between providers. Some questions worth asking include:
- Does the assessment include cognitive screening, balance testing and a symptom checklist, or just one of these?
- How long does testing take per player, and can it be run for a whole squad in one session?
- Where are results stored, and who can access them if a player moves clubs or needs to be reassessed elsewhere?
- Is there a plan for re-testing after a suspected concussion, and does the provider offer ongoing care such as osteopathy support through the recovery period?
- What happens if a player doesn’t have a baseline on file but is injured during the season?
A provider should be able to answer each of these clearly, without needing you to chase down details later in the season.
How Does the Club Fit Into the Process?
Clubs play an important role in concussion management beyond the testing day itself. Ask how the provider communicates with coaches and team managers about a player’s return-to-play timeline, and whether they provide any written guidance the club can keep on file. It’s also worth asking whether the provider can support your club’s broader concussion policy, including how suspected injuries during a game or training session should be handled before a player even reaches a clinic.
Clubs in Dromana, Rosebud and Rye often manage several codes across multiple age groups, so ask whether a provider can scale testing across your whole club rather than just one team.
What Happens After a Suspected Concussion?
Baseline testing is only useful if there’s a clear pathway afterwards. Ask what the post-injury process looks like: who assesses the player, how soon after the injury, and how progress through a graduated return-to-sport plan is tracked and communicated. Recovery isn’t always straightforward, and some players benefit from broader assessment of related issues such as neck and vestibular symptoms, which is where a clinician familiar with the range of conditions linked to concussion can be useful. Ask whether the provider works alongside GPs and other health professionals rather than operating in isolation, since concussion care often involves more than one type of practitioner.
Cost, Logistics and Local Access
Practical questions matter too. Ask about the cost per player or per squad, whether private health rebates apply, and how far in advance testing needs to be booked before pre-season training begins. For clubs based across the Mornington Peninsula, it’s also worth asking whether the provider can travel to your club or whether players need to attend a clinic in person, such as one based in McCrae. Clarifying logistics early avoids a scramble in the weeks before the season starts.
Choosing a provider for concussion baseline testing is ultimately about finding a team that can explain their process clearly, answer your questions without vague reassurances, and support your club with a genuine plan for what happens if a player is injured. Taking the time to ask these questions before the season starts gives your committee, coaches and parents more confidence in the decision, and helps ensure baseline testing is a genuinely useful part of your club’s approach to player welfare rather than a box-ticking exercise.
Frequently asked questions
How much does concussion baseline testing cost for a club?
Costs vary between providers and depend on squad size and the type of assessment included. It’s best to ask for a written quote that covers testing, results storage and any follow-up support, so your club can budget accurately for the season.
How often does baseline testing need to be repeated?
Many providers recommend re-testing at the start of each season, particularly for growing junior athletes, since cognitive and balance scores can change over time. Ask your provider what re-testing schedule they recommend for your age group.
Can one baseline test be used across different sports or clubs?
In principle, a player’s baseline results can be referenced regardless of which club or sport they’re currently playing, provided the same player is being assessed. Ask the provider how they store and share results if a player is registered with more than one club.
Does baseline testing replace the need to see a doctor after a concussion?
No. Baseline testing supports clinical assessment but does not replace a proper medical review following a suspected concussion. Any player with a suspected head injury should be assessed by an appropriately qualified health professional before returning to sport.
What should a club do if a player doesn’t have a baseline on record?
A player without a baseline can still be assessed following a suspected concussion, using general age-matched guidelines rather than an individual comparison. Ask your provider how they manage this situation so your club has a clear process either way.
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.