On 28 April 2023, the Government and the Sport and Recreation Alliance published the first UK-wide Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport which will help players, coaches, parents, schools, National Governing Bodies and sports administrators to identify, manage and prevent the issue.

The guidelines, developed by an expert panel of domestic and international clinicians and academics in neurology and sports medicine, sets out steps to improve understanding and awareness of the prevention and treatment of concussion in grassroots sport where trained medical professionals are less likely to be routinely present. It is targeted at people of all ages.

‘IF IN DOUBT, SIT THEM OUT’ is the strapline, making clear no-one should return to sport within 24 hours of a suspected concussion and builds on guidance already introduced in Scotland.

Players, parents, coaches, teachers and administrators are now asked to read the guidance and familiarise themselves with the necessary steps to:

RECOGNISE the signs of concussion;
REMOVE anyone suspected of being concussed immediately and;
RETURN safely to daily activity, education/work and, ultimately, sport.

For guidance on how to recognise concussion, please refer to the BJSM concussion recognition tool: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/51/11/872.full.pdf

Please refer to the ECB website for more information: https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/3241156/new-guidance-for-concussion-in-grassroots-sports-is-published