Contact sports—where players/athletes come into bodily contact with one another—are among Australia's most favourite sports. Football and rugby, for example, are some of the most popular in Australia. In 2022, the Australian Football League (AFL) saw over 517 000 participants, while the National Rugby League (NRL) had over 127 000. And participation in sports continues to grow.
This growth, however, has not come without controversy. Recently, there has been increasing concern about the mounting reports and evidence of concussions and head injuries as a result of sporting activities.
Experts are worried that concussions, left untreated or not taken seriously, are linked to higher risks of short– and long-term health for those involved in sport—a far cry from the benefits it provides.
In response to the growing concern about concussions and head injuries, especially in contact sport, the Parliament of Australia lodged an inquiry to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee.
As a result, the Committee released its report, Concussions and repeated head trauma in contact sports, to consolidate the findings of its inquiry and recommend further steps.
The report found three key factors that contributed to the prevalence of concussions in sport:
Let’s explore these in more detail.
The culture of sports, particularly the culture towards sports and participation, can often mean that concussions are not taken seriously or left untreated.
This can be due to a win-at-all-costs mentality, where the pressure to win can overshadow athlete safety and wellbeing concerns. Athletes, coaches, and even parents may prioritise victory over an athlete’s wellbeing, encouraging them to “shake it off.”
In some cases, athletes can face stigma in admitting they are hurt or need to take a break. The competitive nature of some sports and the fear of letting down their team, coaches, parents, and spectators can lead to dangerous decisions—and athletes continue to play despite having a concussion.
The media has a powerful sway over people. Media is often the driver of cultural change, and in sports, it can influence athlete, coach, and community attitudes.
The report from the Senate Community Affairs References Committee found conflicting evidence regarding the role of media on concussion awareness.
On one hand, the media can come across as dismissive or trivialising in its reportage around concussions. For example, referring to athletes as “brave” or “tough” if they continue to play after sustaining a head injury can normalise risky behaviour.
The language the media uses can also be sensationalist and take away from the seriousness of such injuries. For example, classifying all head injuries as catastrophic can lead to alarm and anxiety in the general public.
On the other hand, the report did note that perspectives among the media are starting to shift into taking concussions more seriously. In the US, for example, sports broadcasts have cut to ad breaks instead of replaying the moment an athlete sustained a head injury.
Another issue stems from the lack of harmony and strategy toward concussion/head injury treatment among health professionals and the health care system.
This means that treatment and management of concussion varies, which leads to inconsistencies. It can also perpetuate negative attitudes.
As a result of these findings, the Senate Community Affairs References Committee made several recommendations to the Australian government.
However, the two that specifically relate to what was discussed above are to:
The idea is to increase awareness of head trauma and help people recognise the signs and symptoms of concussion so they can appropriately respond to and manage such injuries.
By helping the community understand the short– and long-term risks of concussion and head injuries, training and awareness can shift attitudes towards injuries from the negative to the positive.
However, this recommendation is much more complex, given the structure of sport in Australia. Sport is largely overseen by non-governmental organisations across Australia, including:
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is the government agency responsible for supporting and investing in sport at all levels. It’s worth noting, however, that the ASC is not a regulatory body and has no authority to enforce compliance or regulations.
What does this mean? Currently, there is no requirement for contact sports to provide increased training and awareness around concussions. There is also a lack of standardised training when it comes to concussion awareness and management.
Hence, the Senate Community Affairs References Committee recommends that the Australian government provide more community awareness initiatives regarding concussions and head injuries.
The Australian Sports Commission provides some training on the subject, but more still needs to be done to raise awareness at every level, from the grassroots to the elite.
In particular, the Committee recommends the Australian government develop standardised guidelines for GPs that are evidence-based and accessible. In this regard, the government can ensure the appropriate delivery of general practice consultations for people with concussions, head injuries, or other complex care needs.
The Committee also recommends first aid responders receive increased training, specifically on treating concussions and head injuries. This would be particularly valuable during practices and sporting events, as such injuries can be attended to much quicker.
Concussions in contact sports are a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
The current attitudes, misconceptions, and lack of awareness surrounding these injuries can have devastating consequences for athletes. That’s why it’s all the more crucial to increase education and awareness and streamline guidelines to protect the health and wellbeing of athletes in contact sports.
Education and knowledge about the effects of concussions are critical. This knowledge should be available to all: medical professionals, first aid responders, players, parents, volunteers, coaches, officials, and administrators.
That’s why etrainu has partnered with TeachAids to deliver world-class concussion education, available via the etrainu platform. Through this partnership, all those involved in sport will have access to the free CrashCourse product suite—which delivers increased education and awareness of concussions.
.png)
Following the 2023 NDIS Review and 2024 updates, it's crucial for support workers and service providers to maintain quality care and remain compliant.
How do you feel about the current state of the disability sector after the changes in 2024 and its readiness for 2025?
As we look ahead to 2025, let’s review what has changed within the Aged Care sector what remains to come
