.png)
Perth Football League Chief Executive Andrew Dawe is confident clubs will adhere to the new concussion guidelines implemented in the off-season.
In March, the PFL announced its new concussion protocols, which included increasing the return to play period to 21 days after a concussion, provided the player is medically cleared.
Previously, WA football followed the national AFL guidelines which allowed players to return 12 days after a concussion.
Speaking ahead of round one, Dawes says these protocols enable amateur footballers to return to football in a ‘safe and healthy’ manner.
“There's been a fair bit of noise around concussion, obviously in the last year or so,” he said.
“We've adopted a concussion protocol that's in line with effectively what the Australian Sports Commission has recommended, what the AFL has recommended, and certainly in line with what the West Australian Football Commission is doing.
“Like everyone else, except the AFL, sitting out for 21 days if you do get a concussion, of which you need 14 days of recovery and making sure that you get medical clearances, so it's safe and healthy when you return.”
The Perth Football League is working with stakeholders, including clubs and their trainers to educate and equip them with the tools needed to help implement and follow the new guidelines.
Guidelines are designed to prioritise player welfare and provide a consistent and structured approach to concussion management.
Some guidelines include gradual reintroduction to activity, a 14-day symptom-free period, prioritising work and education before return to play, and holistic assessments of concussions.
While acknowledging it may be an ‘absolute challenge,’ Dawes says he is hopeful the clubs will adhere to the guidelines.
“As soon as we saw these proposed changes, that an issue would be under reporting, but we're hopeful that we've got the mechanisms in place,” he said.
“We also think that society has caught up and understood that this is a serious issue and that if you're playing God as such, then that's a dangerous way to move forward.
“We have referral forms, we've got a clear set of guidelines to help not only just the player, the trainers, the club, but also to educate the medical practitioners when a player presents with a concussion from the weekend.
“We're hopeful that they will adhere to it, and I think the societal trends will dictate that.”
Over 320 teams - including 68 women’s teams, across 72 clubs will take the field around the Perth Metropolitan region for round one of the PFL this weekend.
IMAGE: Perth Football League