“Sport-related concussion [SRC] is a traumatic brain injury induced by biomechanical forces.” Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport, the 5th International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Berlin, 2016Read all the Consensus Statements.
Brain Injury Australia has been engaged in concussion education since it prepared a policy paper on concussion in sport for the Australian Government’s (then) Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in 2012.
Since then, BIA has delivered a range of concussion education and training events for sports physicians, General Practitioners, physiotherapists, trainers, coaches and sports administrators, parents and players built around Brain Injury Australia’s “5Rs” of concussion:
“Recognise the injury, Removal from play, Referral to a doctor, Rest and then Return to play.”
Brain Injury Australia’s Concussion Training Day – 7th November, 2016, Royal Rehab, Sydney
A day-long training in best practice concussion assessment, treatment and management, led by Professor Barry Willer, Director of Research in the Concussion Management Clinic at the University at Buffalo in Western New York and, Professor Gary Browne, Director of the Sports Concussion Service at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, and Dr Julia Treleaven, from the Whiplash and Neck Pain Research Unit, the University of Queensland.

From left: Professor Barry Willer, Professor Gary Browne, Dr Julia Treleaven.
BIA Executive Officer’s Introduction to Concussion Training Day – 7th November, 2016
“…80 to 90 per cent [of concussions] result in an uneventful recovery within 10-14 days of injury. The 10 to 20 percent of eventful recoveries notwithstanding, perception is everything. And today’s typical parent will be swiftly unforgiving of any sport as soon as she, or he, suspects it’s playing chicken with their child’s brain.”BIA Executive Officer, Nick RushworthDownload Nick’s Introduction.
Concussion Training Day – Preparatory Readings
A selection of research studies and exercises on sports-related concussion by Barry Willer, Gary Browne, and other researchers.
Australian Concussion in Sport Resources
Brain Injury Australia/Sports Medicine Australia Concussion Education Video (2016)
The video below is the first output of a joint concussion education initiative between Brain Injury Australia and Sports Medicine Australia, built around Brain Injury Australia’s trademarked “5Rs” of concussion – “Recognise the injury, Removal from play, Referral to a doctor, Rest and then Return to play” – and presented by Dr. Michael Makdissi, a member of the international authority – the “Concussion in Sport Group” – and team doctor for the Australian Football League 2013, 2014, and 2015 premiership-winning Hawthorn Football Club.
While the video is aimed at Australia’s General Practitioners, Brain Injury Australia is sure that coaches, trainers, sports administrators, and parents, will find the video relevant to best-practice concussion assessment and management.
BIA’s Presentation to the 12th New South Wales Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program Forum (2014)
- “Hundreds of children have been treated for sports-related head injuries at the Royal Children’s Hospital in the past six months and many are returning to the field after a concussion, contrary to guidelines…”
Queensland Brain Institute’s Concussion Education and Research Campaign

The Queensland Brain Institute, with the Australian Athletes’ Alliance – the peak body for Australia’s 3,500 elite professional athletes, comprising: the Australian Cricketers’ Association; the Australian Football League Players’ Association; the Australian Jockeys’ Association; the Australian Netball Players’ Association; the Australian Basketballers’ Association; Professional Footballers Australia; the Rugby League Players Association; and the Rugby Union Players’ Association – has launched a concussion education and research campaign, which “doesn’t want to change Aussie sport, just make players safer. Research is the key to solving concussion’s unanswered questions.”
Brain Injury Australia’s Executive Officer, Nick Rushworth, has been appointed an “Ambassador” for the campaign.
Concussion in Sport Guidelines and Position Statements
Australian Institute of Sport and Australian Medical Association Concussion in Sport Position Statement (2016)
Download.Sports Medicine Australia Position Statement: Concussion (2015)
Download.International Conference on Concussion in Sport (2001-2016)
The Concussion in Sports Group has hosted five international Consensus Conferences since 2001. Each consensus conference has published a Concussion in Sport Consensus Statement summarising the findings of the group. These Consensus Statements have guided health care professionals and others to better manage sports-related concussion.
Learn more.
Sports Concussion Assessment
– Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) 5
– Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) 3
– The Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition (Child SCAT5)
– The Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3rd Edition (Child SCAT3)
– Concussion Recognition Tool 5th Edition (CRT5)
Sports Concussion Programmes
Sports Concussion Australasia Headsmart Sports Concussion Programme
“The HeadSmart™ Sports Concussion Programme provides an end-to-end sports concussion solution for grassroots schools and clubs to the same standard as professional teams. Children and weekend warriors’ brains are no less important than high-earning athletes.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HEADS UP to Youth Sports (US)
“Keeping children and teens healthy and safe is always a top priority. Whether you are a parent, youth sports coach, school coach, school professional, or health care provider, this site will help you recognize, respond to, and minimize the risk of concussion or other serious brain injury.”
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