Mandatory education about the risks of concussion is required

Sabra Lane: The former National Rugby League player is backing Concussion Australia’s calls for mandatory concussion risk education for under-25 players and parents of under-16s. The federal government agrees that better education is needed. Aaron Kelly reports.

Aaron Kelly: Former NRL player PJ Marsh still feels the effects of professional football on his body. From four knee surgeries to metal plates in his back and a broken neck, aches, pains and long-term effects plague him to this day.

PJ Marsh: Due to a neck injury, I could not go to the toilet on my own, nor could I walk normally.

Aaron Kelly: And then there are the headers and the big ones that rocked the pint-sized Eels, Warriors and Broncos hooker from Queensland.

PJ Marsh: I guess some other things just got worse right in my career. And yes, it really had an impact.

Aaron Kelly: Forced to hang up his boots earlier than he had planned, Marsh has joined calls from Concussion Australia to make annual concussion education mandatory specifically for young players and contact sports enthusiasts. Brendan Swan is the CEO of Concussion Australia.

Brendan Swan: This is especially true for mass sports, where in many cases these organizations are run by volunteers, and there is no comprehensive, or rather in many cases, educational structure for these organizations.

Aaron Kelly: Earlier this month, the federal government responded to a Senate inquiry into concussions in sports. He agreed with the recommendation to improve public awareness and education strategies with tailored resources needed for different groups such as players and coaches, including the amateur sporting levels. Brendan Swan welcomed the support but said the government’s response was conservative and lacking in detail.

Brendan Swan: In this concussion crisis, we need to see action not only from the federal government, but also from state and territory governments, and this includes mainly compulsory education in certain areas of society for certain or proposed sports.

Aaron Kelly: Now 44, PJ Marsh remains in excellent shape, but is bothered by symptoms associated with CTE.

PJ Marsh: I think every contact sports athlete could find a couple on this list who were impacted or in some way affected greatly by it.

Aaron Kelly: In amateur football, the Queensland Rugby League adopts national concussion management guidelines and works closely with the NRL on these protocols. Key message: When in doubt, give it up.

Rob Crowe: The biggest threat to sport in Australia is concussion, whether people like it or not.

Aaron Kelly: Rob Crowe is a former player, coach and administrator who participated in the Senate QRL investigation. He supports the recommendation to increase public awareness of concussions.

Brendan Swan: As a game we are a few steps ahead of some other sports, but we have to take it seriously. If that’s not the case, you know, then rules will have to be put in place to protect people, and it might even change the way the sport looks.

Sabra Lane: This is Brandon Swan, he’s the executive director of Concussion Australia, wrapping up Aaron Kelly’s report.