Every winter and summer season, community sports clubs across the Mornington Peninsula welcome hundreds of junior athletes onto ovals, courts and pitches in McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud, Rye and surrounding suburbs. Along with the fun, fitness and friendships, community sport carries a responsibility to manage head knocks sensibly and consistently.
Many clubs run on volunteer coaches, trainers and committee members who genuinely want to do the right thing but aren’t always sure where to start. A written concussion policy doesn’t need to be complicated — it needs to be clear, consistently applied, and understood by everyone involved, from coaches to parents to players themselves.
Why every club needs a written policy
Verbal understandings and good intentions aren’t enough when a head knock happens mid-game and decisions need to be made quickly. A written policy gives coaches and trainers a clear process to follow, removes the pressure of making judgement calls under time pressure, and sets consistent expectations across all age groups and teams within a club.
A policy also protects volunteers. When the process is written down and communicated to families at the start of the season, everyone knows what to expect if a player is suspected of concussion — including that the player will be removed from play and won’t return until appropriately cleared.
The core principle: if in doubt, sit them out
Recognised concussion frameworks, including those used by the AFL and Complete Concussions (CCMI), share a simple guiding rule: any player suspected of a concussion should be removed from play immediately and not allowed to return that same day, regardless of how well they seem to be recovering on the sideline.
This applies across all community sports played on the Peninsula, whether it’s AFL, netball, football (soccer), basketball or cricket. Concussion doesn’t always involve a loss of consciousness, and signs can be subtle — a player who seems “a bit off,” slower to react, or unusually emotional may be showing early signs that warrant caution.
What a basic club policy should cover
A starting policy doesn’t need to be a lengthy document. At minimum, most clubs benefit from covering the following points clearly and in plain language:
- A simple explanation of what concussion is and common signs and symptoms coaches and trainers should watch for
- A clear “remove from play immediately” rule with no same-day return, regardless of grading or fixture importance
- Who at the club is responsible for making the removal decision during a game
- A basic communication process for informing parents or guardians and recommending medical review
- Guidance that return to training and play should be gradual and only occur once appropriately assessed
- Where families can go for further information or professional support, including concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula
Keeping the policy short and accessible means coaches are far more likely to actually read and apply it.
Training coaches and trainers to recognise the signs
A policy is only as good as the people applying it. Many clubs find it useful to run a short pre-season briefing for coaches, trainers and team managers covering the basics of concussion recognition. This doesn’t require every volunteer to become a clinician — it simply means giving them the confidence to notice warning signs and follow the “when in doubt, sit them out” rule without hesitation.
Some clubs invite a local allied health provider to run this briefing, which can also be a useful opportunity for families to ask questions about concussion testing and what a gradual return-to-play process generally involves.
Working with families and health professionals
A club policy works best when it connects smoothly with what happens off the field. Encouraging families to seek an assessment after a suspected concussion — rather than relying on the player “feeling fine” a day or two later — helps ensure decisions about returning to training and matches are made with appropriate information, not guesswork.
Clubs on the Peninsula, including those based around McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud and Rye, can support this by keeping a simple list of local options for families to consider, and by making clear in the policy that return-to-play decisions should factor in professional guidance rather than being left solely to the coach or parent on the day.
Reviewing and updating your policy each season
Concussion guidelines are periodically reviewed and refined as understanding improves, so a policy written a few seasons ago may be due for a refresh. Building a short annual review into pre-season planning — alongside first aid checks and ground inspections — helps keep the policy current and keeps it front of mind for new coaches and committee members each year.
For clubs wanting a more structured starting point, attending a community concussion workshop can be a practical way to build a policy framework alongside other local clubs, and to understand how concussion testing can support the decisions clubs and families make around a young athlete’s return to sport.
Frequently asked questions
Does our club need a formal written concussion policy?
While requirements can vary between sporting codes and associations, having a simple written policy is considered good practice for any community club. It gives coaches and volunteers a clear, consistent process to follow rather than making decisions on the spot.
Who should decide whether a player is removed from the field?
Most club policies nominate a first aider, trainer or coach as the person responsible for removal decisions during a game. The key principle across recognised guidelines is that if concussion is suspected, the player is removed immediately and does not return that day.
Can a player return to the same game if they seem fine after a head knock?
No. Recognised concussion frameworks, including AFL and Complete Concussions guidelines, recommend no same-day return to play once a concussion is suspected, even if symptoms appear to settle quickly on the sideline.
How can our club access concussion education for coaches?
Many clubs arrange a pre-season briefing with a local allied health provider or attend a community workshop covering recognition and basic policy steps. This helps volunteers feel confident applying the club’s policy consistently.
What role does concussion testing play in a club’s return-to-play process?
Testing can support a clearer picture of a young athlete’s recovery and inform decisions around a gradual return to training and play. It does not replace individual medical assessment or guarantee a particular outcome.
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.