Friday, September 25, 2020
Ontario to Lead National Effort on Improving Concussion Safety
Honouring Rowan Stringer’s Memory by Raising Awareness of Sports Safety Across the Country
NEPEAN — The Ontario government will lead a discussion on the development of a National Concussion Awareness Strategy at an upcoming meeting of provincial and federal Ministers Responsible for Sport.
Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries returned to Rowan's Pitch in Ottawa earlier today to highlight the province's experience implementing Rowan's Law, Canada's first concussion safety legislation. Minister MacLeod was also joined by Tim Fleiszer, a four-time Grey Cup Champion and Executive Director, Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada and Ryan Carey, Invictus Games torch bearer, former Canadian Football League player, and Afghanistan War Veteran.
"All athletes, coaches, players and parents, should know the signs and symptoms of a concussion and when to remove themselves from the game," said Minister MacLeod. "We have made real, impactful progress towards improving the safety of athletes and addressing the culture of amateur sports in this province. From launching an awareness campaign to implementing concussion protocols in schools, we have a proven, effective approach to concussion safety. It is now time to take this approach across Canada."
Rowan's Law (Concussion Safety), 2018, was passed with unanimous support in the Ontario Legislature in March 2018. As part of the law, the last Wednesday in September is "Rowan's Law Day" in honour of the memory of Rowan Stringer, a 17-year-old Ottawa rugby player who died in the spring of 2013 from a condition known as Second Impact Syndrome (catastrophic swelling of the brain). This year, Rowan's Law Day will be recognized on September 30, 2020.
"The unanimous passage of Rowan's Law at Queens Park in 2018 was a very special moment for Kathleen and I, another milestone in our journey after Rowan's death. This year marks the third Rowan's Law Day in Ontario, we have seen the marked improvements in concussion awareness and education in the first year, the increased requirements on sports organizations for concussion protocols and codes of conduct in the second year," said Gordon Stringer, father of Rowan Stringer. "Now we look forward to an increased focus on healthcare practitioners, providing better supports and educational requirements to those tasked with addressing the multitude of potential issues and challenges faced by those impacted by concussion. Our hope is that what Ontario has done will be replicated across Canada, because in the words of Dr. Charles Tator, 'Rowan Stringer's death was preventable.' We must do whatever we can to ensure that her story is never replicated."
Through video, print and digital media, Ontario is changing the conversation about how concussions are handled through its award-winning #HitStopSit campaign.
Quick Facts- Rowan’s Pitch is a rugby field at Ken Ross Park in Barrhaven, Ontario that was renamed in honour of the late Rowan Stringer.
- Beginning January 1, 2021, Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2018, (Rowan’s Law) will require amateur sport organizations to establish removal-from-sport and return-to-sport protocols to ensure that an athlete is immediately removed from sport if they have sustained a concussion or are suspected of having sustained a concussion. The law will also ensure that athletes get medical clearance from a physician or nurse practitioner before they are permitted to return to training, practice or competition.
- The highest rates of concussion in Ontario are found among children and youth under the age of 18.
- Ontario students who report a head injury are more than twice as likely to report very high emotional distress and less success in academics
- As of July 1, 2019, athletes, parents, coaches, team trainers and officials are required to review the concussion awareness resources and their sport organization’s concussion code of conduct, where applicable.
- On September 30, 2020, show your support for #RowansLawDay through a tweet, Facebook or Instagram post.
Quotes
"Having had three children compete in hockey, soccer and other sports in their youth, I view a concussion code of conduct as essential for our sports and recreational activities. And as a physician, I have seen what harm concussions can cause. So, it is significant that each year we take time to recognise Rowan's Law and the importance of concussion protocol.”"
- Merrilee Fullerton
Minister of Long-Term Care and MPP Kanata-Carleton
"It is with heavy hearts that we remember Rowan Stringer and the preventable tragedy that took place in Nepean. Thankfully, due in large part to the efforts of Minister MacLeod and the advocacy of the Stringer family, sports participation is safer for Ontario's children. That is Rowan's legacy. We are honoured to be able to work alongside the Stringer family and Minister MacLeod to make sure that what happened to Rowan is never repeated. "
- Tim Fleiszer
Executive Director of Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada
"Rowan’s Law drew much needed attention to an issue that directly impacts too many of our children. Ontario has made great strides in concussion awareness and prevention, including new concussion protocols and safety training. That is why it is important that we continue to mark Rowan’s Law Day each year."
- Jeremy Roberts
MPP Ottawa West-Nepean
"Rowan’s Law Day is an important initiative to educate young athletes on recognizing the signs and symptoms of a concussion, and how to manage them safely. Athletes face the risk of concussions every time they step onto a playing field, this is an effective way to bring awareness to the severity and lasting effects of concussions."
- Goldie Ghamari
MPP Carleton
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