Winter sport is back in full swing across the Mornington Peninsula, and local ovals from McCrae to Dromana, Rosebud and Rye are once again filled with junior footballers, netballers and community athletes of all ages. Along with the excitement of the season comes a responsibility shared by parents, coaches and clubs alike: knowing how to recognise a possible concussion and what to do next.
Concussion in junior and community sport is common, but it is often poorly understood. Young athletes may not recognise their own symptoms, may feel pressure to “play on,” or may simply not realise that a knock that looked minor can still affect the brain. This post outlines what families and clubs on the Peninsula can do to support safer participation this season.
Why Junior Athletes Need Extra Care
Children and adolescents are not simply smaller adults when it comes to head injury. Growing brains may take longer to recover from concussion, and young athletes are still developing the ability to accurately describe how they feel. This means concussion can be missed or downplayed, particularly in fast-paced community sport where the focus is on staying in the game.
Recognised concussion frameworks, including those used in AFL concussion guidelines and the Complete Concussions (CCMI) education programs, consistently emphasise a cautious, “if in doubt, sit them out” approach for junior athletes. This is not about limiting participation unnecessarily — it is about giving the brain the time it needs to recover properly before returning to contact sport.
Recognising the Signs on the Sideline
Concussion does not always involve a loss of consciousness, and symptoms can appear or worsen over the hours following a knock. Coaches, team runners and parents watching from the sideline are often the first to notice something is wrong.
- Appearing dazed, blank, or slow to get up after a collision
- Balance problems or unsteadiness on their feet
- Headache, nausea, or sensitivity to light and noise
- Confusion about the game, the score, or recent events
- Uncharacteristic irritability, tearfulness, or slowed responses
- Any loss of consciousness, even briefly
If any of these signs are present, the safe response is to remove the young athlete from play immediately, regardless of how important the game may feel. A young player should never be returned to the field on the same day if concussion is suspected.
What Should Happen After a Suspected Concussion
Once a junior athlete has been removed from play, the next steps are about supporting recovery, not rushing a decision. General guidance from recognised frameworks includes a short period of relative rest, gradual reintroduction of school and daily activities, and monitoring of symptoms over the following days.
Many families find it useful to seek an assessment from a practitioner trained in concussion management, particularly before a young athlete considers returning to contact training or matches. Our osteopaths at The Seaside Osteo in McCrae are trained through the Complete Concussions (CCMI) framework, which supports a structured, evidence-informed approach to assessment. You can read more about our approach to concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula and what an assessment typically involves.
It’s important to understand that no test or assessment can guarantee a safe return to sport or prevent concussion from occurring. Rather, appropriate assessment is one part of a broader, cautious approach that helps families and clubs make more informed decisions around a young athlete’s recovery.
A Role for Coaches and Community Clubs
Junior sporting clubs across the Peninsula — whether football, netball, soccer, basketball or cricket — play an important role in setting the tone around concussion safety. Clubs that build a culture where players feel comfortable reporting symptoms, and where coaches are confident enough to remove a player from the field when in doubt, help protect young athletes long before an injury ever needs clinical assessment.
Simple club-level habits can make a real difference:
- Having a clear, written concussion policy that all coaches and team managers understand
- Educating players early in the season that reporting symptoms is not a sign of weakness
- Ensuring at least one trained first-aider or team runner is present at training and matches
- Keeping a simple record of any head knocks, even ones that seem minor at the time
Clubs and parent groups wanting a deeper understanding of these principles may be interested in attending our free concussion workshop, which covers recognition, sideline management and general return-to-play principles relevant to community sport.
Supporting Families Across the Peninsula
Whether your junior athlete plays out of McCrae, Rosebud, Dromana or Rye, the same principles apply: take suspected concussion seriously, remove the athlete from play, allow adequate time for recovery, and seek appropriate guidance before returning to contact sport. Our team supports local families through concussion assessment and management as part of a broader, cautious approach to junior athlete wellbeing.
If you have concerns about a young athlete following a head knock this season, or simply want to understand the process better before it happens, reaching out for guidance early is a sensible step. Concussion recovery looks different for every young person, and an individualised approach — rather than a one-size-fits-all timeline — is central to supporting them safely back to the sport they love.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a junior athlete rest after a suspected concussion?
Recognised guidelines generally suggest a short period of relative rest followed by a gradual, symptom-guided return to school and activity. Recovery time varies between individuals, so it’s best discussed with a practitioner trained in concussion management rather than following a fixed timeline.
Can a young athlete return to play on the same day if they seem okay?
No. Recognised concussion guidelines, including AFL guidelines, are clear that any junior athlete with suspected concussion should not return to play on the same day, even if symptoms seem to settle quickly.
Does a concussion always involve loss of consciousness?
No, most concussions do not involve loss of consciousness. Signs can include confusion, balance issues, headache, sensitivity to light or noise, or simply seeming ‘not quite right’, so any of these warrant removal from play.
What does concussion testing actually involve?
An assessment typically looks at symptoms, balance, cognitive function and general presentation using a structured framework such as those used by Complete Concussions (CCMI). It supports informed decision-making but cannot guarantee recovery timelines or prevent future injury.
Should every junior sports club have a concussion policy?
Having a clear policy helps coaches and team managers respond consistently and confidently when a head knock occurs. It also encourages a club culture where players feel comfortable reporting symptoms rather than playing through them.
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.