CONCUSSION IN SPORT
19th October 2011
GAA and ABI Ireland Launch Concussion Awareness Campaign
The GAA Backs ABI Ireland’s Mind Your Head Campaign Educating Players about the Signs and Symptoms of Concussion
The GAA has teamed up with brain injury specialists Acquired Brain Injury Ireland to back their Mind Your Head campaign; educating players about the signs and symptoms of Concussion, through an Educational Concussion Poster Campaign. This poster campaign will be distributed to over 2,000 GAA clubs throughout the country, reaching out to all players of every age and level.
See Poster ..... View Photographs..... .
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Concussed much?
Players are not honest about it, Coaches ignore it, and the magic water cures it; yes that’s the ingredient of CONCUSSION!
As the issue of Concussion grows, becoming a topic of much discussion, it is time, now more than ever, to ensure a change is brought about; guaranteeing a better approach practice for concussion management. We must make it acceptable to say you are concussed and taking a break!
Concussion, a common consequence of trauma to the head in contact sports, is in fact the third most common match day injury. It is happening during the week at school games, and over the weekend when the pro’s come out to play; an injury open to all. Then why is it that, so many experience it while so few choose to talk about it? Perhaps it is the fact that it really is the elephant in the room, something we don’t know a lot about it, and so have even less to say about.
It is easy to talk about a knee injury or an ankle sprain because they are visual; leading way to the old fashioned ‘I need to see to believe’ ruling. Unfortunately this ruling is not applicable to the issue of concussion; does this mean then that we do not believe?
We believe that contact is part and parcel of the sporting game; however we do not believe that one should have to risk a head injury in the process. Players need to protect themselves, that much has been made even clearer by the honest admissions of ABI Ireland ambassadors John Fogarty and Bernard Jackman, illustrating how they lived in denial about this issue.
A player’s future health is far more important than the winning of any match, and so ABI Ireland and www.concussion.ie are now committed to educating our young players of tomorrow about the effects, signs and symptoms of concussion; ensuring that all players are aware of the dangers of repeat concussions, while also bringing about a much needed cultural and philosophical change with regard to the issue of concussion.
The Effects of Concussion
A Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury, caused by a blow to the head, disrupting or interfering with a person’s normal functioning.
Read about the effects of concussion...
Ambassadors for ABI Ireland Following their recent retirement, as a result of difficulties brought about by repeated concussion, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland is proud to announce John Fogarty and Bernard Jackman as our new Ambassadors for the organisation.
In an effort to get to know both rugby stars better, they share their stories with us.
JOHN FOGARTY
– Felt it, Lived it, Knows it. . . .
Concussion.... It affects every facet of your life. It takes from you. I’m a different person when this is bad.
Read John's story...
BERNARD JACKMAN
"I believe I have sustained over twenty concussions over the past three years but to drop out would have been a sign of weakness...”
Read Bernard's Story...
Concussion and Gaelic Games. Concussion is a brain injury, take it seriously!
Contact sport brings about collisions and concussions. No matter what game you are playing, a hit to the head can happen at any time and have any result...writes Karen O'Boyle in
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Sligo Locals join forces to support concussion awareness
Sligo rugby player and Connacht Community Rugby Officer, Gavin Foley, was on hand to show his support to Acquired Brain Injury Ireland’s Concussion Awareness campaign.
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