NEW STUDY SHINES LIGHT ON CONCUSSION RISKS IN JUNIOR FOOTY

About 300,000 children under 16 lace up for community football each year, and one in five hospitalised concussions in Australia comes from sport.

As junior footy finals fever grips the nation, the big hits and fierce tackles that thrill crowds also carry a hidden cost: concussion.

While the AFL’s stars have doctors, trainers and cameras tracking every head knock, for kids playing in community clubs, the safety net is far thinner.

A new study from the University of South Australia is aiming to fill this gap, asking how well parents, coaches and volunteers understand the risks of concussion, and what more needs to be done to protect young players.

The scale of the issue is sobering. About 300,000 children under 16 lace up for community football each year, and one in five hospitalised concussions in Australia comes from sport.

Lead researcher Dr Hunter Bennett says that while awareness is growing, the grassroots game is still dangerously under-resourced when it comes to concussion management.

“Concussion is one of the most common injuries in contact sports, with children more vulnerable than adults,” Dr Bennett says.

“Yet while professional football teams have dedicated medical experts to manage concussions, most community football clubs rely on parents or volunteers.

That means a child might be treated on game day, but what happens in the days and weeks afterwards is more or less unknown.

“Our concern is that many young players could be returning to the game too soon, without the rest and recovery they need.”

The study will investigate how clubs currently handle suspected concussions, whether return-to-play guidelines are being followed, and the obstacles families face in getting children the proper care.

Under AFL and Australian Sports Commission rules, junior players are meant to sit out for at least 21 days after a concussion.

But Dr Bennett warns that these are minimum standards and don’t guarantee full recovery.

“Guidelines are important, but by themselves they aren’t always helpful because people may not understand or follow them appropriately,” he says.

The issue goes beyond medical checklists. Community sport is built on volunteers and passion, which can sometimes make it harder to enforce strict rest periods.

For kids desperate to get back on the field, and parents balancing school and weekend routines, the temptation to downplay symptoms can be intense.

Dr Bennett says the research aims to strengthen community knowledge so that concussion management becomes second nature at the local level.

“Community football is about creating an engaging, cohesive and positive experience for all. Everyone – the parents, coaches, players, and volunteers - wants to deliver their best.

“By upskilling clubs, schools and community sports groups to better recognise the signs of concussion, follow proper protocols and prioritise player wellbeing, we can create a safer sporting culture at every level.”

The study is now calling on parents, coaches and volunteers to share their experiences. Researchers hope the findings will provide the foundation for new resources and training, ensuring that the roar of the crowd never drowns out the importance of a child’s long-term health.

You can take part in the survey here.