Objectives:
1. Reduce concussion risks for participants the Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club (LMVSC)
2. Increase awareness of concussion risks, concussion effects, and their proper management for participants in LMVSC
3. Comply with Virginia State law, which requires youth sports programs utilizing public school properties to establish policies and procedures regarding the identification and handling of suspected concussions in youth athletes;
4. Reduce legal risks LMVSC

I. Education
A. LMVSC will provide  each coach, on an annual basis, information on the nature and risk of concussions, criteria for removal and return to play, and risks of not reporting the injury and continuing to play. The club shall require each coach to sign a statement acknowledging receipt of such information and maintain such record for no less than seven years. Clubs are encouraged, but not required, to have coaches certify completion of the online concussion training and follow-up quiz provided by the Centers for Disease Control at:
http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/training, or to provide coaches an opportunity for in person training by a licensed medical provider familiar with concussion issues in youth sports.

B. LMVSC shall provide the parents or guardians of each youth participant, on an annual basis, information on the nature and risk of concussions, criteria for removal and return to play, and risks of not reporting the injury and continuing to play. The club shall require each parent or guardian to sign a statement acknowledging receipt of such information and maintain such record for no less than seven years.

C. For purposes of meeting the requirements of this section, a LMVSC  may provide  coaches and parents with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) concussion fact sheets for coaches and parents found at the CDC “HEADS UP To Youth Sports” website:
http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/index.html.

II. Head Impact Protocol
A. LMVSC shall have a protocol in place to govern procedures for any situation in which a participant in the club’s athletic programs or activities (including games, practices, skill sessions and other athletic activities) is suspected of having incurred a potential concussion as a result of a head or neck impact or other impact that could lead to a concussion.

B. Such protocol shall, at a minimum, set forth (i) a procedure for immediate removal of the player participant from the activity to be evaluated for symptoms of a concussion; (ii) a procedure for a coach, team official, club representative, trainer or medical professional to evaluate the player participant for symptoms of a concussion; and (iii) a requirement that the player participant not be permitted to return to play or any other athletic activity on that day if the player participant exhibits any symptoms of a concussion. LMVSC policy regarding concussion is: “when in doubt, sit it out.”

III. Return to Play
A. If a player participant in a member club’s activities is removed from play due to exhibiting symptoms of a concussion, he or she may not return to any athletic activity of the club until a licensed healthcare provider has provided the club with written clearance for the player participant to resume such activities. This provision does not prohibit a player participant from attending games, practices and other activities without participating athletically in such activities.

B. LMVSC shall  maintain records of medical clearances for seven years.

C. For purposes of this provision, a “licensed healthcare provider” means a physician, physician assistant, osteopath physician, or athletic trainer licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine; a neuropsychologist licensed by the Board of Psychology; or a nurse practitioner licensed by the
Virginia State Board of Nursing. Although not required, VYSA recommends that its member clubs encourage players with suspected concussions to see a licensed healthcare professional with significant experience treating concussions, and further recommends that its member clubs
provide their players, parents and coaches with information concerning licensed healthcare providers in their locales who have such experience.
 

V. Reporting Requirements:
LMVSC  shall annually provide a copy of its Concussion Management Policy to the State Office no later than October 31 of each year starting in 2016.