Pre-season is when clubs sort out jumpers, training times and canteen rosters — but it’s also the ideal window to get concussion-ready before the first bump to the head happens on the field. Whether your club plays AFL, netball, football (soccer), basketball or cricket, having a plan in place before Round 1 makes a real difference to how confidently coaches, parents and players respond when it matters.
For junior and community clubs across the Mornington Peninsula, from McCrae down to Dromana, Rosebud and Rye, pre-season is a great time to build simple habits around concussion awareness. None of this is about scaremongering — it’s about giving everyone around the team the confidence to recognise the signs early and know what to do next. Here’s a practical checklist to help your club get organised.
1. Educate coaches, trainers and team managers
Concussion doesn’t always look dramatic. Many young athletes don’t lose consciousness, and symptoms can be subtle — a headache, feeling foggy, sensitivity to light, or simply “not being themselves” after a knock. Coaches and trainers are usually the first people on the scene, so a short pre-season briefing on what to watch for is one of the most valuable things a club can do.
Frameworks such as those developed by Complete Concussions (CCMI) and the general principles outlined in AFL concussion guidelines give clubs a consistent, evidence-based structure for recognising and responding to a suspected concussion. If your club hasn’t run a session like this before, a free concussion workshop is an easy way to bring the whole coaching group up to speed at once.
2. Talk to parents before the season starts
Parents play a huge role in concussion management, particularly in the days after an injury when symptoms are being monitored at home. A short pre-season email or meeting covering the basics — what a concussion can look like, why “shaking it off” isn’t the answer, and who to contact if there’s a concern — helps everyone be on the same page from day one.
It’s also worth letting families know that concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula is available locally, so they’re not left wondering where to turn if their child does sustain a head knock during the season.
3. Consider baseline assessments where appropriate
A baseline assessment, done before the season begins, gives a snapshot of how a young athlete performs on measures like balance, memory and reaction time when they’re well. If a concussion is later suspected, this baseline can be a useful reference point to support clinical decision-making — though it’s one piece of information among several, not a stand-alone diagnostic tool.
Baseline testing doesn’t replace a proper assessment after a suspected injury, but it can support a more informed, individualised approach to concussion management throughout the season.
4. Set up a clear on-field response plan
Every club benefits from a simple, written protocol for what happens when a head knock occurs. At minimum, this should cover:
- Immediate removal from play if concussion is suspected — “if in doubt, sit them out”
- Who is responsible for monitoring the player and contacting parents or guardians
- Basic first-aid and emergency escalation steps for red-flag symptoms
- How the club records and follows up on the incident
- Where families can access follow-up assessment, such as through a local osteopath trained in concussion care
Having this plan printed and accessible in the first-aid kit or club room means nobody has to remember every detail under pressure on game day.
5. Understand return-to-play doesn’t mean rushing back
One of the most important messages for pre-season is that recovery from concussion is a gradual, staged process — not a single decision made on the sideline. Guidelines generally recommend a graduated return to both learning and sport, with each stage only progressed once the young athlete is symptom-free at rest and with exertion.
This is where ongoing support from a clinician familiar with concussion frameworks can help families navigate the return-to-play pathway with more confidence. Clubs that build this expectation into their pre-season messaging tend to see fewer arguments about “just one more game” later in the year.
6. Know where to access local support
Clubs across McCrae, Dromana, Rosebud and Rye don’t need to manage concussion in isolation. Having a relationship with a local allied-health provider before the season starts means there’s already a point of contact if a player needs assessment, monitoring or a graduated return-to-play plan. If your club is based near Rosebud or Rye, it’s worth checking what local options are available before the first game is played, rather than scrambling to find support after an injury has occurred.
Getting these pieces in place during pre-season — education, communication, a response plan and a known point of contact — helps your club approach the season with a clearer, calmer process for managing head knocks when, not if, they happen.
Frequently asked questions
When should our club start pre-season concussion planning?
Ideally a few weeks before the first training session, so coaches and trainers have time to attend an education session and parents receive information before games begin. This gives everyone time to understand the club’s response plan before it’s needed.
Do all junior players need a baseline concussion test?
Not necessarily, but baseline assessment can be a useful option for clubs and families who want an additional reference point. It’s best discussed with a clinician trained in concussion management to decide what suits your club or child.
What should a coach do immediately if they suspect a concussion?
The general guidance is to remove the player from play straight away, avoid letting them return that day, and arrange follow-up assessment. When in doubt, sit them out, and monitor for any worsening symptoms.
Can a young athlete return to play the same day as a suspected concussion?
No. Recognised concussion guidelines recommend removal from play for the remainder of that session or game whenever concussion is suspected, followed by a gradual, staged return over subsequent days or weeks.
Where can Mornington Peninsula clubs access concussion education?
Local clinics offering concussion testing and management, including those trained through frameworks like Complete Concussions, often run community workshops. These sessions can help coaches, trainers and parents build a shared understanding before the season starts.
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.