NFNL Concussion Reporting Procedure

The NFNL has developed the following concussion reporting procedure to reinforce the fundamental importance of our league’s Concussion Policy, as outlined in Section 19 of the National Community Football Policy Handbook (AFL Guidelines for The Management of Sport- Related Concussion). The reporting procedure serves as a beacon of our commitment to player welfare, setting forth essential guidelines derived from the AFL’s best practices in concussion management.

At the core of these guidelines lies a clear directive: the safety and well-being of our athletes take precedence above all else. To this end, the NFNL mandates two critical tasks when a suspected concussion occurs: Concussion Reporting and Return to Play Clearance.

Concussion Reporting ensures notification to the NFNL following any incident of suspected concussion, whether in a fixtured match or during a training session. This timely reporting enables us to initiate appropriate measures, safeguarding the player’s health.

Return to Play Clearance underscores our commitment to player safety. No player shall return to NFNL Football competitions without explicit clearance from a qualified medical practitioner. This requirement mitigates the risk of exacerbating the player’s condition and upholds the highest standards of player welfare.

As per the guidelines, a play diagnosed with concussion must successfully complete the 21-day minimum return-to-play (RTP) protocols and adhere to the AFL Concussion Management Return-to-Pla Flow Chart before returning to play.

It’s important to highlight that the responsibility lies with clubs to provide precise concussion reports to the NFNL. In the event of inaccurate reporting, any ensuing legal actions would be directed towards the club and its leadership.