POLICIES AND CODES OF CONDUCT

Oakville Basketball Club, Inc.’s

Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes and Parents/Guardians

(for athletes under 18 years of age)

I will help prevent concussions by:

  • Wearing the proper equipment for my sport and wearing it correctly.
  • Developing my skills and strength so that I can participate to the best of my ability.
  • Respecting the rules of my sport or activity.
  • My commitment to fair play and respect for all* (for example, but not limited to, respecting other athletes, coaches, team trainers, and officials).

I will care for my health and safety by taking concussions seriously, and I

understand that:

  • A concussion is a brain injury that can have both short- and long-term effects.
  • A blow to my head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that causes the brain to move around inside the skull, may cause a concussion.
  • I don’t need to lose consciousness to have had a concussion.
  • I have a commitment to concussion recognition and reporting, including selfreporting of possible concussion and reporting to a designated person when an individual suspects that another individual may have sustained a concussion.* (Meaning: If I think I might have a concussion I should stop participating in further training, practice or competition immediately, or tell an adult if I think another athlete has a concussion).
  • Continuing to participate in further training, practice, or competition with a possible concussion increases my risk of more severe, longer-lasting symptoms and increases my risk of other injuries.

I will not hide concussion symptoms. I will speak up for myself and for others.

  • I will not hide my symptoms. I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent, and/or another adult I trust if I experience any symptoms of concussion.
  • If someone else tells me about concussion symptoms, or I see signs they might have a concussion, I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent, and/or another adult I trust so they can help.
  • I understand that if I have a suspected concussion, I will be removed from sport and that I will not be able to return to training, practice, and/or competition until I undergo a medical assessment by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner and have been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition.
  • I have a commitment to sharing any pertinent information regarding incidents of removal from the sport with the athlete’s school and any other sports organization with which the athlete has registered* (Meaning: If I am diagnosed with a concussion, I understand that letting all of my other coaches and teachers know about my injury will help them support me while I recover.)
  • I will take the time I need to recover because it is important for my health.
  • I understand my commitment to supporting the return-to-sport process* (I will have to follow my sports organization’s Return-to-Sport Protocol).
  • I understand I will have to be medically cleared by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner before returning to training, practice, or competition.
  • I will respect my coaches, team trainers, parents, healthcare professionals, medical doctors, and nurse practitioners regarding my health and safety.
  • By signing here, I acknowledge that I have fully reviewed and committed to this Concussion Code of Conduct.
Athlete Name: _____________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________________[of athletes who are under 18 years of age]
Date: ______________________________________
I will help prevent concussions, through my:
  • Commitment to zero-tolerance for prohibited play that is considered high risk for causing concussions*
  • Acknowledgment of mandatory expulsion from competition for violating zero tolerance for prohibited play that is considered high risk for causing concussions (Meaning: I will be disqualified/expelled from play if I violate the zero-tolerance policy)
  • Acknowledgment of the escalating consequences for those who repeatedly violate the Concussion Code of Conduct. *