Rowan's Law
OWLL Concussion Protocol
Concussion Management
OWLL Injury Return to Play Certification Form
Heat and Humidity Guidelines
Lightning/thunder Guidelines
Rowan’s Law Effective July 1, 2019
The Rowan’s Law concussion awareness rules came into effect in the province of Ontario on July 1, 2019. After that date, sports organizations must not register athletes under 26 years of age* into a sports activity unless they, as well as their parent (for athletes under 18), provide confirmation that they have reviewed one of the concussion awareness resources (see below) within the previous twelve months.
Furthermore, sports organizations must also not allow coaches, team trainers and officials to serve as a coach, team trainer or official for or in respect of the sports organization unless they provide confirmation that they have reviewed one of the Concussion Awareness Resources, every year.
Links to the documents which must be reviewed are listed below and are based on the age of the player being registered:
rowans-law-booklet-ages-10-and-under
rowans-law-booklet-ages-11-to-14
rowans-law-booklet-ages-15-and-up
As part of the registration process, all players, coaches or parents of players must acknowledge having reviewed the above concussion awareness information. Participants will be blocked from registering until they acknowledge. Please review the information prior to starting the registration process.
OWLL Concussion Protocol
A concussion is a brain injury that cannot be seen on routine x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. It affects the way a person may think and remember things, and can cause a variety of symptoms. Because a concussion is not a visible injury, extra care is required. A suspected concussion must be treated as an actual concussion until professional medical attention is sought. To help you know how to respond, follow Parachute Canada’s Concussion Guidelines for Trainers and Coaches below.
- The athlete should stop playing the sport right away. The Concussion Recognition Tool 5 (CRT5) can be used by anyone to help recognize the signs and symptoms of a possible concussion. UPDATED2
- They should not be left alone and should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible that day.
- If an athlete is knocked out, call an ambulance to take them to a hospital immediately. Do not move the athlete or remove athletic equipment like a helmet as there may also be a cervical spine injury; wait for paramedics to arrive.
- An athlete with a concussion should not go back to play that day, even if they say they are feeling better. Problems caused by a head injury can get worse later that day or night.
- They should not return to sports until he/she has been seen by a doctor
If a suspected concussion has been identified, then the injured person or his/her parents/guardians must provide his/her coach and the OWLL Safety Officer with the following documents before being allowed to return to play (whether practices or games):
No Concussion:
A completed OWLL concussion return to play certification form signed by a medical professional and parent/guardian indicating that no concussion was suffered.
***OR***
Concussion:
A completed OWLL concussion return to play certification form signed by a medical professional and parent/guardian indicating the injured person has completed a supervised return to play program and is cleared to return to play.
Concussion Management
The OWLL concussion return to play certification form is to be completed for any suspected or confirmed concussion. Per the guidance of Little League Canada, a player must have the written consent of a doctor before being allowed to return to games or practices if he/she:
- has been diagnosed with a concussion, or
- sustains an injury during a game or practice that results in a loss of consciousness, no matter how brief, or
- following contact of any nature, exhibits signs of a possible head injury such as blurred/double vision, dizziness, headaches, etc.
Click here to download the concussion return to play certification form
For more information on concussions and concussion management visit Parachute Canada
This resource has some great information on sports related concussions: Guide to Sports Concussions
OWLL Injury Return to Play Certification Form
The injury return to play certification form must be completed for any injury that results in a player missing more than 7 continuous days of participation for an illness or injury. The league must receive written permission given by a physician or other medical provider for a return to full baseball activity, per Little League baseball regulation III (D).
Click here to download the OWLL injury return to play certification form
Heat & Humidity Guidelines
Little League Heat & Humidity Guidelines:
Baseball Canada:
Ottawa Weather:
Accuweather (hourly):
Heat & Humidity: Danger (2018)
Lightning/thunder Guidelines
On seeing lightning OR hearing thunder, all games are suspended and may start only after 30 minutes have passed from the last sighting of lightning or audible thunder. All players and spectators should move to safety and away from steel fences and trees. Wait in cars until the game restarts or is cancelled. For more information, please read: Staying Safe from Lightning at the Field.
Resources:
Appendix A from the Little League Rule Book