Sample Removal-From-Sport & Return-To-Sport Protocols for Sport Organizations - Rowan’s Law Concussion Safety 2018

Aug 31, 2026

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Sample removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols for sport organizations under Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018. The template defines minimum requirements, including immediate removal of an athlete with a suspected or confirmed concussion, designation of responsible persons, emergency response actions, parent/guardian notification for athletes under 18, and medical assessment and clearance steps. It also covers return restrictions, confirmation requirements when no concussion is diagnosed, and staged progression consistent with the organization’s return-to-sport protocol.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatDOCX

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose

Scope and Minimum Requirements

Role of Everyone Involved

Requirements for School Boards

Designated Person(s)

Removal-from-Sport Responsibilities

Return-to-Sport Responsibilities

Sample Removal-From-Sport & Return-To-Sport Protocols for Sport Organizations The following document is not a substitute for legal advice. Sport organizations should seek independent legal advice if you have questions about its obligations under Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018. Purpose This sample protocol is intended to be used by any person or entity that constitutes a “sport organization” as defined under Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018 (“Rowan’s Law”). It sets out the minimum requirements for removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols for athletes who have sustained a concussion or are suspected of having sustained a concussion during training, practices or competition in accordance with Rowan’s Law and the regulation made under that Act, O.Reg. 161/19: General. This sample template can be used by any sport organization in Ontario or it can be a model for drafting your own protocols with specific references to your sport. If you modify the template, please ensure that the protocols include the minimum content components as set out by O.Reg. 161/19: General. The protocol, among other things, must establish a process to implement the immediate removal of an athlete who has sustained a concussion or is suspected of having sustained a concussion, and must designate persons who are responsible for ensuring the removal of the athlete and ensuring that they do not return to training, practice or competition except in accordance with the sport organization’s return-to-sport protocol. Everyone involved in sports, including athletes, parents or guardians, coaches, team trainers, officials, teachers and licensed health-care professionals, can play a role in helping to prevent, identify and manage concussions. For more information on concussions and concussions in sport, please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.Ontario.ca/concussions" www.Ontario.ca/concussions. Requirements for School Boards Requirements for school boards, school authorities, and provincial and demonstration schools regarding the removal and return of students who have sustained a concussion or who are suspected of having sustained a concussion are outlined in the Ministry of Education’s updated policy on concussion (PPM 158: School Board Policies on Concussion), effective January 31, 2020. Designated Person(s) In accordance with the requirements set out in Rowan’s Law and its associated regulation, every sport organization is required to identify a designated person(s) as having specific responsibilities under the removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols. The responsibilities for the designated person(s) may be shared between one or more individuals. If your sport organization has more than one designated person(s), please ensure that each designate is clear about who has what responsibility under the Removal-from-Sport protocol and the Return-to-Sport protocol. Under the Removal-from-Sport protocol for [INSERT THE NAME OF YOUR SPORT ORGANIZATION HERE], the designated person(s) is/are responsible for ensuring that: An athlete is immediately removed from further training, practice or competition if the athlete has sustained a concussion or is suspected of having sustained a concussion, regardless of whether or not the concussion was sustained from a sport activity associated with [INSERT THE NAME OF YOUR SPORT ORGANIZATION HERE], If in the opinion of the designated person(s), there is an emergency and/or any red flag signs and/or symptoms appear – including those resulting from a suspected concussion, call 911; Removal of the athlete from further training, practice or competition; and if the athlete is under 18 years of age, the parent or guardian is informed of the removal; The athlete, or the parent or guardian if the athlete is under 18 years of age, is advised that the athlete is required to undergo a medical assessment by a physician or nurse practitioner before the athlete will be permitted to return to training, practice or competition

FAQs

What is the purpose of the sample removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols?

The protocols establish minimum requirements for removing an athlete with a suspected or sustained concussion and for managing return-to-sport in accordance with Rowan’s Law and the associated regulation.

What responsibilities must designated person(s) perform under the Removal-from-Sport protocol?

Designated person(s) must ensure immediate removal, coordinate emergency/red-flag response including calling 911, manage parent/guardian notification for athletes under 18, arrange receipt of required protocols, and prevent return except through the organization’s return-to-sport protocol.

When can an athlete return to training, practice, or competition after a suspected or diagnosed concussion?

An athlete cannot return until permitted by the organization’s return-to-sport protocol. If no concussion is diagnosed, return requires confirmation of medical assessment and medical clearance; if a concussion is diagnosed, unrestricted progression requires confirmed medical clearance before advancing.

Aug 31, 2026

Upload by Bintang