concussion management policy

Purpose

BDU Lightning Basketball Club is committed to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of all players.

This policy provides guidance for recognising, managing and responding to suspected or diagnosed concussion and aligns with the policies and recommendations of Basketball Australia, Basketball Victoria and the Australian Sports Commission.

Policy Statement

BDU Lightning Basketball Club adopts a precautionary approach to concussion management.

If in doubt, sit them out.

Any player with a suspected concussion must be removed from participation immediately and must not return to play or training on the same day.

The health and wellbeing of the player will always take priority over competition outcomes.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head or a force transmitted to the head from another part of the body.

Concussion can occur without loss of consciousness.

Common symptoms may include:

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Confusion

  • Blurred vision

  • Balance problems

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Sensitivity to light or noise

  • Memory problems

  • Feeling slowed down

  • Fatigue

  • Changes in mood or behaviour

 

Emergency Warning Signs

Call 000 immediately if a player experiences:

  • Loss of consciousness

  • Seizure or convulsions

  • Neck pain

  • Repeated vomiting

  • Increasing confusion

  • Severe or worsening headache

  • Weakness or numbness

  • Difficulty speaking

  • Deteriorating condition

Recognition and Immediate Management

Any coach, team manager, official, volunteer or parent who suspects a player may have sustained a concussion must:

  1. Remove the player from play immediately.

  2. Ensure the player is supervised.

  3. Arrange medical assessment as soon as possible.

  4. Inform the player's parent or guardian if under 18 years of age.

  5. Record the incident and notify the Club.

A player with suspected concussion:

  • Must not return to the game.

  • Must not return to training that day.

  • Must not drive themselves home if symptoms are present.

Medical Assessment

A suspected concussion must be assessed by a medical practitioner.

Only a qualified medical practitioner can diagnose concussion and determine when a player is safe to begin returning to sport.

The Club will follow any medical advice provided by the treating practitioner.

Return to Sport

Players diagnosed with concussion must not return to training or competition until:

  • Symptoms have resolved.

  • They have completed a graduated return-to-sport program.

  • They have obtained written medical clearance from a medical practitioner.

Graduated Return to Sport Program

Following 24–48 hours of relative physical and mental rest, players may progress through the following stages, spending a minimum of 24 hours at each stage:

Stage 1
Symptom-limited activity and daily activities.

Stage 2
Light aerobic exercise such as walking or stationary cycling.

Stage 3
Basketball-specific, non-contact activities such as shooting and ball handling.

Stage 4
Non-contact training drills and increased intensity.

Stage 5
Full-contact training following medical clearance.

Stage 6
Return to competition.

If symptoms return at any stage, the player must stop activity and return to the previous symptom-free stage.

Additional Requirements for Junior Players

For players aged under 18 years:

  • Return to school and normal learning activities should occur before full return to sport.

  • Children and adolescents must follow a more conservative recovery approach.

  • Players under 18 should not return to contact sport until they have fully recovered and have received medical clearance.

Responsibilities

Players

Players must:

  • Report concussion symptoms honestly.

  • Follow medical advice.

  • Not return to play until medically cleared.

Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians must:

  • Seek medical assessment when concussion is suspected.

  • Provide medical clearance documentation to the Club.

  • Support the player's recovery plan.

Coaches and Team Managers

Coaches and team managers must:

  • Remove any player suspected of concussion immediately.

  • Never allow same-day return to play.

  • Notify parents or guardians.

  • Support the player's recovery process.

  • Maintain records of concussion incidents.

Club Committee

The Committee will:

  • Promote concussion awareness.

  • Ensure coaches and volunteers understand this policy.

  • Review concussion incidents where required.

  • Maintain appropriate records.

Reporting

All concussion incidents should be reported to:

BDU Lightning Child Safety Officer

Kirsty Dixon
Email: bduchildsafety@gmail.com
Mobile: 0437 122 431

The Club may maintain a confidential register of concussion incidents to support player welfare and risk management.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier if Basketball Australia, Basketball Victoria or Australian Sports Commission concussion guidelines change.

Policy Endorsement

Approved by: BDU Lightning Basketball Club Committee

Effective Date: 20/10/2026

Review Date: 20/10/2027

Child Safety Officer: Kirsty Dixon

President: Troy McCarthy