Physiotherapy –
Any youth member who sustained a rugby injury including concussion can access Physiotherapy.
Coach to email Physio Email to gain day and rough time from Physio team.

Concussion –
The ‘Recognise and Remove’ Approach is applied to all Youth Rugby, it is advised that all players, parents, guardians and coaches complete the RFU HEADCASE awareness course.
RFU Headcase Module

Recognise and Remove:
Players who recieve knocks or who are injured should be assesses by an RFU Qualified 1st Aider or Physio. TAKE YOUR TIME OVER THE ASSESSMENT.
If a player is not injured and has no symptoms of concussion then give them time and allow them to return to play when they are ready.
If a player is removed from play because they show any symptoms of concussion (Concussion Symptoms) THEN THE PLAYER MUST NOT RETURN TO PLAY AND CONCUSSION PROTOCOL MUST BE FOLLOWED

Any player with a suspected or confirm concussion must have a form completed for them.
They also must be seen by the Tynedale Physio team prior to return to activity (at the end of the 2 week rest period).
Concussion Protocol Form

If symptoms persist or are severe then the player should seek urgent medical advice.

Any Tynedale player on concussion protocol should make an appointment with the club physio by requesting the next available appointment through thier team head coach.

Onfield decisions must be respected by ALL coaches and all parents. These MUST be made by a Tynedale RFC qualified RFU 1st aider or the referee (ONLY IF HE IS A QUALIFIED INDEPENDANT REFEREE WHO HAS COMPLETED THE HEADCASE MODULE).
Please take time and care assessing the player. It is recommended that the Qualified 1st aider take the player to one side and make the assesment.
NO influenece should be made to the decision by parents or coaches and a player who is deemed to be concussed should NEVER re-enter the field of play and the protocol listed above should be followed.

Tynedale RFC are lucky to have a partnership with Dr David Millar at Cognisant, they provide specialist advice and support to the Physio team and all players throughout the club at Tynedale.
For further information please head to Cognisantcic

Baseline Testing (start of season)
All players in age groups Under 14’s – Under 18’s (boys and girls) MUST give player’s parent or guardian the option to complete a baseline concussion test. This is through the software ImPact and the test link will be emailed to the parent/guardian along with a consent form.
The baseline tests will assist the physio team when making the discussion regarding the player’s safe return to rugby.
All coaches prior to the end of September must speak to the players parents/guardians to gain email addresses and email to Jojo Hall Player Welfare email
 What ImPACT is…
◦ A clinically useful, reliable, and valid aspect of a concussion management program
 ImPACT is a TOOL…
◦ to help determine recovery from injury
◦ to help manage return to school/work and return to sport decisions
◦ to communicate post-concussion status to athletes, parents, coaches, and clinicians
 What ImPACT is NOT…
◦ a stand-alone assessment program
◦ effective if the clinician is naïve to the specifics & complexities of data
◦ A substitute for thorough medical evaluation, treatment, or more thorough neuropsychological testing
◦ Not an intelligence test
If any further information is required please contact Jojo Hall.

First Aid and Medical bags

Each team in the youth section is required to have two allocated first aiders, who have completed the Emergency First Aid in Rugby Union course it is their responsibility to ensure the medical bags are stocked and all first aid provided is documented in the accident book stored in the medical bag.
If you need further first aid supplies, please contact the physio team who will provide all that you need. Please be aware that ice packs are only to be used away from the club where there is no bar with an ice machine available. All medical bags are supplied with ice bags so please ask at the medical room or the bar where ice will be provided.

Activate
There is now a significant amount of evidence around all ages prepping their bodies before training or games, to help with the reducing the risk of injury including concussion. The RFU have a great resource called activate which provide age specific warms up which encourage each coach to be aware of.
RFU Activate