Concussion Information - Rowan’s Law

Rowan’s Law was named for Rowan Stringer, a high school rugby player from Ottawa, who died in the spring of 2013 from a condition known as second impact syndrome (swelling of the brain caused by a subsequent injury that occurred before a previous injury healed). Rowan is believed to have experienced three concussions over six days while playing rugby. She had a concussion but didn’t know her brain needed time to heal. Neither did her parents, teachers or coaches.

Rowan’s Law and Rowan’s Law Day were established to honour her memory and bring awareness to concussions and concussion safety. The last Wednesday of each September has been designated as Rowan’s Law Day to help raise awareness about concussion safety.

Rowan’s Law - Rules

On July 1, 2019, new rules came into effect through Rowan’s Law, to improve concussion safety in amateur competitive sport. If you are an athlete under 26 years of age*, parent of an athlete under 18, coach, team trainer or official you need to follow the rules of Rowan’s Law below:

• Review any one of Ontario's official Concussion Awareness Resources before registering or serving with your sport organization; and
• Review your sport organization’s Concussion Code of Conduct that they will provide to you; and
• Confirm that you have reviewed both of these resources every year with your sport organization(s)

* Exception: A sport organization that is a University, College of Applied Arts and Technology or other Post-Secondary Institution will be advising athletes of any age that they need to follow the rules of Rowan’s Law.

Involved in more than one sport?

No matter how many sport organizations you register with in a given year, you are only required to review a Concussion Awareness Resource once within that year. You are however required to confirm your review of a Concussion Awareness Resource with each sport organization with which you register.

You are also required to both review and confirm your review of the Concussion Code of Conduct for each sport organization with which you register.

Review the appropriate Ontario Official Concussion Awareness Resources:

1. Review any one of Ontario's official Concussion Awareness Resources, linked below in English
   • Rowans Law Booklet - Concussion Awareness 10 and Under
   • Rowans Law Booklet - Concussion Awareness Ages 11 - 14
   • Rowans Law Booklet - Concussion Awareness Ages 15 and Up

2. Review Ontario Sailing Concussion Code of Conduct,

• Ontario Sail - Concussion Code of Conduct - Sign Off Form - Athlete

Removal- From/Return-to-sport

The Rowan’s Law Removal-from/Return-to-sport requirements will come into effect on July 1, 2020. Sport organizations will be required to have a removal-from/return-to-sport protocol. PCYC will follow the Ontario Sailing procedures:

• Removal and Return to Sport Procedures 

Additional Information:

• Ontario Government – Rowan’s Law information
• Ontario Sailing Concussion Information

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