Effective July 1, 2012, sports organizations, including youth leagues such as the Bellevue Junior Sports Association (BJSA), are required to comply with the Concussion Awareness Act passed by the Nebraska legislature.

The bill affects athletes 19 years old or younger, sports organization, including youth leagues, club sports, or any organization sponsoring a sporting activity where there is a cost to participants or where such costs are sponsored must follow the law.

We are all responsible for complying with this new Act.  After all, our goal is to keep our young athletes safe.  In an effort to meet the requirements of this new legislation, we are doing the following:

1. A 30 minute on-line training program is available athttp://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html.  We strongly encourage everyone to take this program.
2. Become familiar with this informational fact sheet regarding concussions:http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/headsup/pdf/Parent_Athlete_Info_Sheet-a.pdf. Although there is a signature block, the law currently does not require this form be signed.  For your convenience, this document is available below on this page, as well as two documents dedicated to athletes and parents respectively.
3. Anytime a player, in practice or in a game, is suspected of having a concussion or is showing the symptoms of a concussion, the player must immediately be removed from that practice or the game.  The athlete may not return to practice or play in a game until written clearance is provided from both a physician and the parent(s).

Please take some time to review this material.  We have a responsibility to take care of our athletes, and this is an important step.

• A concussion is a brain injury and all are serious.
• Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness.
• Recognition and proper response to concussions when they first occur can help prevent further injury or even death.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.
 
Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity. So, all coaches, parents, and athletes need to learn concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion occurs.