Sport forms an integral part of our community and plays an important role in keeping us fit and healthy. But even when safety regulations are followed accidents can happen and a particular danger are head injuries and concussions which are not always obvious. At Headway Northampton we want people to be informed of these risks, particularly for those at grassroots level where ambulances and doctors will not be on standby should something go wrong.
We are asking all local sports clubs, schools and colleges to sign up to the Headway Concussion Aware campaign with a resounding ‘If in doubt, sit it out!’ approach to head injuries.
Something that has been endorsed by Consultant Neuropathologist and leading sports concussion expert Dr. Willie Stewart who said. “There is no doubting the benefits of participating in sport. There is also no doubt that head injuries in sport are best managed by adopting an ‘If in doubt, sit it out!’ policy. The world of sport has made progress in recent years to address the issue of concussion, with much of the focus being on elite-level athletes. However, more needs to be done to incite a cultural change at grassroots level to ensure amateur and junior players are as well protected as professional sportspeople from the incorrect management of brain injury.”
“Headway’s Concussion Aware campaign is a most welcome initiative which should encourage safe engagement in sport, while at the same time protecting people by promoting a no-risk approach to head injury.”
So we encourage everybody who loves playing sport to demonstrate they are aware of the dangers of concussion by pledging support at www.concussionaware.org.uk.