Sports Medicine Australia is launching a nationwide campaign to help coaches, teachers and sport medicine professionals safely manage the 100,000 sport-related concussions in Australia each year.
Concussion is a serious condition that concerns parents and young athletes across Australia.
Autumn Wells, 14, says she might not have given up playing her beloved footy about two years ago if she and her parents had been confident that on-field concussion could be treated properly.
Autumn is among thousands of young Australians who stop playing or change sports each year because of fears of concussion.
SMA is distributing a concussion-management poster to more than 38,000 schools and community sports clubs across Australia.
Autumn says she and her parents were worried about the long-term effects of head trauma: “If we had this information two years ago, I might still be playing footy and not taken up tennis,” Autumn said.
A year after the launch of the ‘Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport’, concussion management remains confusing for many Australian parents, coaches and teachers, Sports Medicine Australia CEO Jamie Crain says.
“Concussion is a major issue and it is imperative that all involved in community sport, not just elite athletes with access to team doctors, understand how to manage concussion properly for a safe return to play,” he said.
Mr Crain said: “The long-term impact of repetitive head trauma is not fully understood, so we must move forward with caution.”
The posters are being mailed to schools and clubs from Monday 10 February 2025.
They will be seen by thousands of teachers, coaches, young people and their parents.
Mr Crain said it is important that fears about concussion don’t prevent children and young people accessing the tremendous social, personal, physical and mental health benefits that sport provides.
“When concussion is managed properly, the benefits of sport to the individual, teams and families far outweigh the risks,” Mr Crain said.
“The poster will help give all involved in or around sport, including parents, coaches, and teachers, the confidence to manage concussion safely.
“It has four easy-to-follow steps, with an emphasis on the health of the athlete and a return-to-play only after the recommended time,” Mr Crain said.
1 Recognise that concussion has occurred and remove the athlete from play
2 Resume light activities on the advice of a healthcare practitioner
3 Review by a healthcare practitioner after athlete is symptom-free for 14 days
4 Return to competition but not before day-21 post-concussion AND the athlete must have remained symptom-free for at least 14 days.
The poster is based on ‘Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement 2024’ and the ‘Australian Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport’.
Mr Crain said the full-colour A3-size posters should be placed in prominent locations in schools and club houses.
The poster was developed and fully funded by Sports Medicine Australia and developed in a collaboration with the Australian Institute of Sport, the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, and the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
“The poster condenses the best contemporary evidence-based information on concussion,” Mr Crain said.
Mr Crain said a government backed national concussion-awareness multi-media campaign would further raise awareness among athletes, coaches and parents about how best to manage concussion.
“At SMA we are aware that our efforts can only go so far. We would be delighted to help state, territory and federal governments deliver a fully resourced concussion awareness campaign to ensure that every young Australian’s health is protected,” Mr Crain said.
Thanks to our Elite Partner ASICS, who have partnered with us for over 28 years to support community education on safety and wellbeing in sport.
Autumn Wells’ story
Autumn Wells, 14, says she might still be playing footy if, a few years ago, she and her parents had been better placed to understand how to manage concussion.
Autumn says she gave up footy and took up tennis because of concerns around concussion in contact sports.
Autumn’s mum Renae Anderson said: “If we had a tool like this (the SMA’s Concussion Guidelines poster) Autumn might still be playing footy. As parents we would have been better informed and that would have given Autumn more options.
“We know how important it is for children to take part in sport, so we were very lucky that Autumn loves tennis and gets all the benefits of sport that way, from making and meeting friends to exercise to the mental health benefits sport brings.”
Autumn says: “Growing up I loved AFL. I went to games with my dad, and after seeing AFLW on TV, and my team the Western Bulldogs winning the grand final, I joined Auskick.
“I moved on from Auskick and played for the Altona Vikings. It was the first year they ever had an all-girls under 10’s team. (March 2019)
“I loved playing footy because I liked kicking goals and celebrating like they would on TV. Also playing with my friends.
“But when it came time to play under 12s, I didn’t want to play anymore because I didn’t want to be tackled.
“My parents said I could stop playing footy, but I had to still play a sport, so I chose tennis.
“I love tennis because it’s just me on the court and I get to challenge myself. I also like how it’s a non-contact sport, and I feel as dedicated to it as I was to footy.
“Looking back, maybe if I’d had more information about concussion, I might not have stopped playing footy. I still follow my footy team, the Western Bulldogs.”
Autumn’s dad Nathan Wells said: “As Autumn approached the Under-12 level, I noticed a growing hesitation toward full contact.
“That trepidation really took hold when a series of bad concussions forced her favorite player into early retirement.
“I’m glad she has found a sport where she can continue to express herself without the weight of those fears lingering in her mind.”
Media contact: Seamus Bradley | seamus@healthycomms.com | 0410 256 902
SMA CEO Jamie Crain, Autumn Wells, her mum Renae Anderson and dad Nathan Wells are available for interview.
Key Facts:
Sports Medicine Australia launches concussion awareness campaign
There are at least 100,000 sport-related concussions in Australia each year, with many undiagnosed
Thousands of young sports people give up contact sports because of concussion concerns
Concussion has sever long-term consequence if not treated properly
The Sports Medicine Australia 'Australian Concussion Guidelines' poster which is being mailed to 38,000 schools, community sport clubs and sports medicine professionals across Australia
MEDIA CALL INFORMATION
What: Launch of national concussion campaign
Where: 10 Brens Drive, Parkville, 3052
When: 10.30am Monday 10 February 2025
Who: Sports Medicine Australia CEO Jamie Crain
- Autumn Wells, 14, gave up footy because of concussion concerns but would have continued playing if she and her parents had more information
- Tilly Barker-Stubbs, 7, plays soccer. She and her mum are concerned about concussion
- Melmo Heide, 13, has seen a friend concussed and he and his mum Megg are concerned about how incidents are treated.
- Sports trainer Frank Ferrigno
About us:
Sports Medicine Australia is the peak multidisciplinary body for sports medicine, sports science and physical activity in Australia. SMA represents the professionals involved in these fields, ranging from medical practitioners and allied health professionals to sports trainers, academics, teachers and others. It is a not for profit organisation.
Contact details:
Seamus Bradley
0410 256 902
MEDIA CALL INFORMATION
What: Launch of national concussion campaign
Where: 10 Brens Drive, Parkville, 3052
When: 10.30am Monday 10 February 2025
Who: Sports Medicine Australia CEO Jamie Crain
- Autumn Wells, 14, gave up footy because of concussion concerns but would have continued playing if she and her parents had more information
- Tilly Barker-Stubbs, 7, plays soccer. She and her mum are concerned about concussion
- Melmo Heide, 13, has seen a friend concussed and he and his mum Megg are concerned about how incidents are treated.
- Sports trainer Frank Ferrigno