Winter footy, netball, football (soccer) and basketball seasons keep local ovals and courts busy right across the Mornington Peninsula, from McCrae and Dromana through to Rosebud and Rye. With that comes an important responsibility for parents and coaches: knowing how to recognise a possible concussion and respond calmly and safely.
Concussion is a common concern in junior sport, and most young athletes recover well when it is recognised early and managed carefully. This guide walks through what to look for, what to do in the moment, and how a structured approach can support your child’s recovery.
What Actually Happens in a Concussion
A concussion is a functional disturbance of the brain caused by a direct or indirect knock to the head or body that transmits force to the head. It doesn’t always involve a loss of consciousness, and it doesn’t always show up on a scan. This is why concussion is often described as a “clinical diagnosis” — it’s identified through symptoms and signs, not imaging.
Because every young athlete presents a little differently, recognised frameworks such as those used in the AFL concussion guidelines and the Complete Concussions (CCMI) education model emphasise a consistent, step-by-step approach to identification and management rather than relying on a single test or sign.
Signs and Symptoms Parents Should Watch For
Concussion signs can appear immediately or develop over the following minutes and hours. Some are visible to a parent or coach on the sideline; others are only reported by the young athlete themselves.
- Appearing dazed, blank, or slow to get up after a knock
- Balance problems or unsteadiness on their feet
- Confusion about the game, score, or what just happened
- Headache, dizziness, or nausea
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Sudden changes in mood, such as unusual irritability or tearfulness
- Vomiting
- Any loss of consciousness, even briefly
If you notice any of these signs, or your child reports them, the safe response is to remove them from play and avoid returning them to the field that day, even if symptoms seem to settle quickly.
What To Do in the Moment
When a knock happens during a match or training session, the immediate priorities are simple: keep the young athlete safe, remove them from play, and monitor them closely.
“If in doubt, sit them out” remains a useful guiding principle for coaches, team managers and parents at community sport level. A young athlete showing any possible signs of concussion should not return to the same game or training session. Watch for symptoms that worsen over the following hours, such as increasing headache, repeated vomiting, or unusual drowsiness, and seek urgent medical attention if these occur.
Once the immediate situation has settled, arranging a professional assessment helps build a clearer picture of how your child is tracking and supports informed decisions about the days ahead.
Why a Structured Assessment Helps
Because concussion symptoms and recovery timelines vary from one young athlete to the next, a structured assessment can help build a picture of how a particular child is affected and track their progress over time. This isn’t about a single pass-or-fail test — it’s about gathering useful information to support the decisions parents, athletes and coaches need to make.
Osteopaths at our McCrae clinic have completed training through Complete Concussions (CCMI), a framework used by clinicians across Australia to guide concussion education, assessment and recovery support. If you’re weighing up concussion testing on the Mornington Peninsula for your child, this kind of structured, evidence-informed approach can help support that decision-making process alongside your GP or another treating practitioner.
Supporting a Safe Return to Sport and School
Recovery from concussion isn’t only about return to sport — it also involves a graded return to school and everyday activities, since cognitive load (reading, screens, classroom concentration) can affect symptoms just as physical activity can.
A gradual, stepwise approach is generally recommended, with each stage introduced only once the previous one has been tolerated without a return of symptoms. This is an area where ongoing communication between parents, schools, coaches and a treating practitioner makes a real difference. Our team can also support families managing other sport-related strains and niggles alongside concussion recovery — you can read more about the conditions we treat at our clinic.
Building Concussion Awareness in Local Clubs
Beyond individual assessment, community sporting clubs across the Peninsula play an important role in building a culture where concussion is taken seriously and reported honestly — including by teenagers who may feel pressure to “play through it.”
Education for coaches, team managers and parents is a key part of this picture. If your club, school or sporting association is interested in learning more, our free concussion workshop is a practical starting point for building awareness within your community.
Ultimately, recognising concussion early and responding with a calm, consistent approach gives young athletes the best environment for a steady recovery. If you have concerns after a knock during training or a match, arranging a proper assessment is a sensible next step — you can find out more about our approach to concussion and how it may support your family.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after a knock should my child be assessed for concussion?
It’s best to have any suspected concussion assessed as soon as practical, ideally within a day or two, and urgently if symptoms like repeated vomiting, worsening headache or drowsiness develop. Early assessment helps build a clear picture of your child’s symptoms to guide safe next steps.
Can my child return to play if their symptoms clear up quickly?
Even if symptoms seem to settle quickly, a young athlete should not return to play on the same day as a suspected concussion. A gradual, stepwise return to sport, guided by assessment, is generally recommended over a same-day return.
Does a concussion always involve losing consciousness?
No, most concussions do not involve loss of consciousness. Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, confusion, balance issues or mood changes, so it’s important to watch for the full range of signs, not just a knockout.
What is Complete Concussions (CCMI) and why does it matter?
Complete Concussions (CCMI) is a concussion education and management framework used by clinicians across Australia. Osteopaths trained through this framework follow a structured, evidence-informed approach to concussion recognition and recovery support.
Can osteopathy replace a doctor’s assessment after a head injury?
No. Osteopathic assessment can support informed decisions and ongoing recovery monitoring, but it does not replace urgent medical review, especially where red flag symptoms are present. Always seek emergency care if a serious head injury is suspected.
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.