Concussion Awareness

ROWAN’S LAWOverview

Rowan’s Law legislation was passed by the Ontario Government in 2018. This legislation is named in memory of Rowan Stringer who tragically died in 2013, of Second Impact Syndrome - the result of suffering multiple concussions playing rugby three times in six days. The legislation is designed to create a safer environment for competitive amateur athletes, children and youth to play sport.Knowing how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion, and what to do if a concussion happens - whether you’re an athlete, a student, a parent, a coach, a team trainer, an official or an educator- saves lives.  The Ontario Government is committed to implementing Rowan’s Law by putting concussion safety information in the hands of people who need it most. Increasing awareness and changing conversations in sport, at school and in our homes, will result in transformative change to the way in which concussions are managed in amateur competitive sport and beyond.Ringette Ontario is committed to being a leader in the support, and implementation of Rowan’s Law. Ringette Ontario, and by association all of our Member Clubs, and registrants are legally bound by the requirements of the Law.Requirements of Rowan’s Law LegislationCertain aspects of the Rowan’s Law legislation came into effect on July 1, 2019. Rowan’s Law is applicable to 65 sports in Ontario as well as educational institutions. In summary;

1. From July 1, 2019, all sports must have in place Concussion Code of Conducts for players/parents and coaches/trainers.
2. From July 1, 2019, all players, bench staff, officials, at the point of registration must review and sign off on the Ontario Ministry’s Concussion Awareness Resources and the Ringette Ontario Concussion Code of Conduct. If the player is under 18 years of age then their parent/guardian must sign off. This needs to be done annually.
3. Between July 1 and August 30, 2019, all currently registered coaches and trainers must review and sign off on both the Ministry’s Concussion awareness resources and Ringette Ontario Concussion Code of Conduct.
4. Between July 1 and August 30, 2019, all currently registered match officials must review and sign off on the Ministry’s Concussion awareness resources.
5. From July 1, 2020, all sports must have in place Concussion Removal and Return to Sport protocols (Ringette Ontario is complying with this through enforcing Ringette Canada and Parachute Canada’s concussion related protocols and initiatives).

Ringette Ontario Actions to comply with Rowan’s Law Legislation

1. For new 2019 registrants after July 1, Ringette Ontario will reach out directly to them to complete the necessary Government requirements. They will need to do so before their registration is activated to allow them to commence participation in ringette related activities.
2. Ringette Ontario has and will continue to reach out to all currently registered coaches and staff to provide them with and help them to sign off on the Ontario Ministry’s Concussion awareness resources and the Ringette Ontario Concussion Code of Conduct. Coaches and staff have until August 30, 2019 to comply with the legislation and maintain their active status with Ringette Ontario.
3. Ringette Ontario will be reaching out to all registered officials to provide them with and help them to sign off on the Ontario Ministry’s Concussion awareness resources. Officials have until August 30, 2019 to comply with the legislation and maintain their active status with Ringette Ontario.
4. In 2019, Ringette Ontario implemented the Rowan’s Law Code of Conduct requirements through the online registration process using RAMPInteractive.
5. In 2019 and all subsequent years, all registrants will be required to review and sign off on the Ontario Ministry’s Concussion Awareness Resources and the Ringette Ontario’s Concussion Code of Conduct. If the player is under 18 years of age then their parent/guardian must sign off.
6. Whilst the legislation is only applicable to players under the age of 26, in the interests of player safety and best practices, Ringette Ontario will require all players (or their parent/guardian they are under 18 years of age) to review and sign off on the requirements of the legislation.

Ontario Ministry’s Concussion Awareness ResourcesThere are 3 age variations of the Ontario Ministry’s Concussion Awareness Resources

1. For players under 10 years of age
2. For players aged 11 to 14
3. For players ages 15 and above

Players/parents/guardians/coaches/match officials/trainers are to review and sign off on the resources that are relevant to their participation. For example, if a player participates in an Under 13 league, their parents/guardians would need to review and sign off on the Ontario Ministry’s Concussion Awareness Resources for players aged 11 to 14. If a coach coaches an Under 17 or senior team, they would need to review and sign off on the Ontario Ministry’s Concussion Awareness Resources for players aged 15 and above.The concussion awareness resources also include two posters.

1. Rowan’s Law Concussion Poster 1
2. Rowan’s Law Concussion Poster 2

Ringette Ontario’s Concussion Codes of ConductPart of the requirements of Rowan’s Law is that Ringette Ontario is required to have a concussion Code of Conduct in place for both players and coaches/trainers. All players and coaches/trainers are required to review and sign off on the relevant Code of Conduct at the point of registration each season.

1. Ringette Ontario Concussion Code of Conduct Players
2. Ringette Ontario Concussion Code of Conduct Bench Staff

Ontario Government Rowan’s Law LinksFor all the information relating to the implementation of Rowan’s Law, please see below the relevant Ontario Government website links.

• Rowan’s Law Concussion Awareness Resources
• Rowan’s Law: Concussion safety
• Rowan’s Law Legislation
• Rowan’s Law Regulation

For further information on Rowan’s Law, please contact Ringette Ontario at info@ringetteontario.com.Ringette Ontario Concussion Policies and Forms   

• RO Concussion Policy
• RO Medical Letter 
• Medical Clearance Letter

Concussion Information & Resources

• Ringette Ontario Concussion Management Guidelines 
• SIRC “We Are Head Strong” Concussion Information 
• CRT5 - Concussion Recognition ToolConcussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT)
• Parachute - Preventing Injuries Saving Lives - Concussion FAQ and Resources
• Ringette Canada Concussion Education