I am a Coach, Trainer or Sports Organization

Coaches, trainers and sports organizations play a vital role in keeping athletes safe by detecting and managing symptoms. This includes recognizing and responding appropriately to athletes who may have sustained a concussion: 
  • Educating staff, athletes and their families/caregivers about concussion symptoms and the importance of seeking medical attention. Staying informed about the latest concussion guidelines, their organization's concussion protocols, and adapting accordingly
  • Recognizing and responding to concussion symptoms immediately and removing the athlete from play
  • Supporting athletes during recovery, including providing emotional support
  • Modifying training to allow athletes to participate in limited capacity as appropriate and to stay engaged without risking their health
  • Collaborating with healthcare professionals to ensure concussion recovery includes both physical and psychological aspects
  • Supporting parents/caregivers as they navigate their athlete's recovery
Concussion recovery can be challenging for many people and those around them, but with the right education and support, athletes will be able to face those challenges and make positive progress.
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​Rowan's Law
  • Rowan’s Law legislation was passed by the Ontario Government in 2018. This legislation is named in memory of Rowan Stringer who tragically died in 2013 of Second Impact Syndrome, the result of suffering multiple concussion playing rugby three times in six days. The legislation is designed to create a safer environment for competitive amateur athletes, children and youth to play sport and does not just apply to rugby.

Use of Helmets in Sport
  • Helmets have not been proven to prevent concussions because concussions happen from the brain moving inside the skull, but they can significantly reduce the risk and severity of other serious head injuries like skull fractures by absorbing impact. Source: Government of Canada.​
  • Learn about proper helmet fitting and replacements, which helmets are safe to use and which helmets to use for which activity here.
  • It is NOT safe to use a second hand helmet. The history and the age of the helmet cannot be assured and the helmet may also have missing or broken parts.
i am a coach/trainer
Please note that when coaching a school team in Ontario, you should refer to that school board's Concussion Policy and Procedures.

​Mandatory Concussion Training for Coaches
Reference Material for Coaches/Trainers
Parachute, Canada’s national charity dedicated to injury prevention, has published a 
Concussion Guide for Coaches and Trainers, covering topics such as:
  • What is a concussion
  • Signs and symptoms
  • What to do if you suspect a concussion
  • Treatment
  • ​Next steps

​You can also find valuable resources outlining the kinds of changes an athlete may experience, management tips, and information on the kinds of tools and services that can help you and your team navigate living with a concussion at Brain Injury Canada.

Did you know?
  • Helmets are an important piece of protective equipment for many sports and activities. Helmets can prevent serious head injuries. However, helmets are not proven to prevent concussions.
  • Mandatory baseline testing is no longer recommended by Parachute Canada.
i represent a sports organization
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Looking to develop your organization's Concussion Policy and Protocols?
Parachute Canada has been instrumental in developing concussion protocols in Canadian sport. 
The organization led the development of national concussion guidelines and protocols to improve consistency in concussion recognition and management across Canada.
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The resources on this page will help sport organizations develop and implement evidence-based, best-practice concussion protocols based on the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport. These resources are free to download and use.

Parachute has also developed a sport-specific strategy to help athletes return to your sport after concussion. 

Be sure to check if your National Sport Organization or your Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization has adopted a harmonized protocol.
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Sport-Specific Concussion Info
​​​In Canada, ice hockey, rugby and ringette contributed the highest proportion of sport concussion. Sources: Statistics Canada and Government of Canada.
You may find the following sport-specific concussion information helpful:
hockey
Hockey Canada has created a Concussion Toolbox including materials you can use in your next team meeting, and an updated concussion policy effective May 2025.

In addition, Parachute's Smart Hockey program helps keep players safe so they can enjoy playing hockey for life. 
rugby
In addition to Rugby Canada's Concussion Guidelines Rugby Canada and Rugby Ontario has rolled out the Blue Card at all levels of the game in Ontario.

​The Blue Card is a process initiated by a coach, player or match official and delivered on field by the Match Official to identify a player who has been removed from the field of play due to a suspected concussion. Learn more.​
soccer
Ontario Soccer follows the Canada Soccer Concussion Policy, based on current evidence and examples of best practice taken from soccer organizations around the world and other sports.  Refer to the Canada Soccer Concussion Policy and Resources here: Concussion Resources.

Coaches should also be familiar with Canada Soccer's Heading Guidelines pictured below. The Heading Guidelines PDF is a comprehensive resource designed to provide detailed, age-appropriate recommendations for introducing and practicing heading in soccer. It emphasizes player safety, skill development, and adherence to best practices in line with Ontario Soccer’s commitment to long-term player development.
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Canada Soccer also provides Heading Resources for Coaches and Players.
taekwondo
Taekwondo Canada unveiled a new concussion prevention initiative for the National Sport Organization in 2022. This initiative focuses on the safety of the athletes while providing educational toolkits to taekwondo coaches, referees, athletes and parents/caregivers on the dangers of concussions and what to do to prevent, recognize and manage concussion during training and competition.

See Taekwondo Canada and Parachute Announce New Concussion Initiative – Taekwondo Canada.
ringette
Ringette Canada's Concussion Protocol applies to athletes, coaches, officials, trainers, Safety Personnel, licensed healthcare professionals, parents/guardians, administrators, and decision makers of Ringette Canada and their members/associations. See Concussions | Ringette Canada.
Note: Refer to Parachute Canada's sport-specific return to sport strategy covering most sports here.