Rowan's Law

Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), makes Ontario a national leader in concussion management and prevention by establishing mandatory requirements that call for:

·         Annual review of concussion awareness resources that help prevent, identify and manage concussions, which athletes, coaches, educators and parents would be required to review before registering in a sport.

·         Removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols, to ensure that an athlete is immediately removed from sport if they are suspected of having sustained a concussion and giving them the time required to heal properly

·         A concussion code of conduct that would set out rules of behaviour to minimize concussions while playing sport.

In honour of Rowan Stringer, the 17-year-old rugby player whose death resulted from sustaining multiple concussions, the legislation establishes the last Wednesday in September as “Rowan’s Law Day”.

Ontario is the first jurisdiction in Canada to pass concussion safety legislation, setting a precedent for sport legislation across the country. The Ontario government worked closely with key medical experts, athletes, coaches and sport leaders – most notably the members of the Rowan’s Law Advisory Committee – in establishing this first-of-its-kind legislation.

Starting this season, participants will be required to review the issued Concussion Awareness Resources, sign the acknowledgement form and submit it to their respective local ball hockey organization.

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRANTS AND ORGANIZATIONS

·         All Registrants registering July 1, 2019 or after must complete the review of information and acknowledgement prior to participation in the first game.

·         All Team Officials registering July 1, 2019 or after must complete the review of information and acknowledgement prior to the start of the season.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SPORT ORGANIZATIONS

1.       ensure that athletes under 26 years of age, parents of athletes under 18, coaches, team trainers and officials confirm every year that they have reviewed Ontario’s Concussion Awareness Resources

2.       establish a Concussion Code of Conduct that sets out rules of behaviour to support concussion prevention

3.       establish a Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocol

ROWAN'S LAW CONCUSON SAFETY

The league will be distributing Rowan's Law Acknowledge Forms to members in March 

Ontario Ball Hockey Association (OBHA) Concussion Policy - Rowan's Law

Ontario Ball Hockey Association (OBHA) Concussion Code of Conduct