Concussion Awareness Resources and Code of Conduct for Coaches & Officials

I will help prevent concussions through my

• • Efforts to ensure Athletes wear the proper equipment and wear it correctly;
• • Efforts to help Athletes develop their skills and strength so they can participate to the best of their abilities;
• • Respect for the rules of my sport and ensure that my athletes do, too; and
• • My commitment to fair play and respect for all (respecting coaches, officials, and all participants and ensuring my athletes respect others and play fair).

I will care for the health and safety of all participants by taking concussions seriously. I understand that

• • A concussion is a brain injury that can have both short- and long-term effects;
• • A person doesn’t need to lose consciousness to receive a concussion;
• • An athlete with a suspected concussion should stop participating in training, practice or competition immediately;
• • Continuing to participate in further training, practice or competition with a suspected concussion increases a person’s risk of more severe, longer lasting symptoms, and increases their risk of other injuries or even death;
• • I have a commitment to concussion recognition and reporting, including self-reporting of possible concussion and reporting to a designated person when someone suspects that another individual may have sustained a concussion; and
• • If an athlete under my care sustains a concussion outside of Muaythai Ontario sanctioned competition I will ensure that they inform Muaythai Ontario through the Injury Reporting form at muaythaiontario.org/injuries or I will report it on their behalf.

I will create an environment where participants feel safe and comfortable speaking up. I will

• • Encourage athletes not to hide their symptoms, but to tell me, a Coach, an Official, a Parent or other designated responsible person they trust if they experience any symptoms of concussion after an impact;
• • Lead by example. I will tell a Coach, Official, Parent and seek medical attention by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner if I am experiencing any concussion symptoms;
• • Understand and respect that any athlete with a suspected concussion must be removed from sport and not permitted to return until they undergo a medical assessment by a Physician or Nurse practitioner and have been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition; and
• • For Coaches only: Commit to providing opportunities before and after each training, practice and competition to enable athletes to discuss potential issues related to concussions.

I will support all participants to take the time they need to recover

• • I understand my commitment to supporting the return-to-sport process;
• • I understand the athletes will have to be cleared by a Physician or Nurse Practitioner before returning to sport; and
• • I will respect Coaches, Officials, Parents, Physicians and Nurse Practitioners and any decisions made with regards to the health and safety of my athletes.

I understand that not adhering to the code will result in corrective action

• • I acknowledge that there will be escalating consequences if I am to repeatedly violate the Concussion Code of Conduct.