Concussion Awareness

🧠 Concussion Awareness & Resources

Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) - Mandatory Requirements

Player safety is a top priority at the Port Colborne Wave. The OWHA and the Province of Ontario have strict concussion safety requirements to ensure that all players, parents, and team officials understand how to recognize, report, and manage concussions properly.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury that changes how the brain functions. It can affect a person physically, cognitively, and emotionally.

A concussion may result from a direct or indirect blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. Even mild symptoms should be taken seriously—without proper identification and care, concussions can cause long-term or permanent damage.

Ontario’s Rowan’s Law and OWHA policies work together to create a safe sport environment by improving concussion recognition, response, and recovery for all athletes.

📝 Concussion Code of Conduct

Each year, all players, parents/guardians (for athletes under 18), coaches, trainers, officials, and bench staff must review concussion awareness materials and sign the Rowan’s Law Acknowledgement Form during registration.

By signing, each participant commits to:

Promoting fair play and respect for all participants.
Recognizing and reporting suspected concussions, including self-reporting.
Following and supporting the Hockey Canada Return-to-Sport Protocol.
Sharing information about any removal from play with schools or other sports organizations.
Allowing athletes to discuss any concussion concerns before and after training or competition.
Supporting zero tolerance for dangerous play that could lead to concussions.
Accepting that repeated violations of the concussion code of conduct may lead to disciplinary action or expulsion.
Completing and submitting the OWHA/Hockey Canada Injury Report and Concussion Follow-Up Form promptly after any incident.

📄 Download the Acknowledgement Form:
Rowan’s Law Acknowledgement Form (PDF)

📝Port Colborne Wave Players acknowledge and complete this form apart of the Registration Process

🚨 OWHA Removal from Play Protocol

If a concussion is suspected, the following steps must be taken immediately:

Stop participation in all hockey activities right away. When in doubt, assume a concussion has occurred.
Call 9-1-1 if emergency medical assistance is needed.
Document the incident using the OWHA/Hockey Canada Injury Report Form.
The designated person must inform the player (and parent/guardian if under 18) that a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner is required before returning to play.
Provide the athlete and/or parent with a copy of the Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport Protocol.
Ensure that the diagnosis is shared with other sports organizations or the athlete’s school, if applicable.
Keep a record of the athlete’s gradual return-to-play process until full clearance is given.
Athletes cannot return to hockey activities until written clearance is provided by a doctor or nurse practitioner.