Golden Valley Phoenix Soccer Club

Minnesota has joined a growing number of states that have passed laws on providing concussion information, training and procedures to be followed for youth athletes to return to play. This law is effective as of September 1, 2011. To comply with this law, the MYSA Board of Directors (BOD) adopted a Concussion Policy at its July 2011 meeting and the GVPSC Board adopted this same policy at its July 2011 meeting.

The highlights of the law are:

1. Make information about the nature and risks of concussions to all participants of the club
2. Require all participating coaches and officials to receive online concussion training
3. A parent or guardian sign a concussion information form indicating they received information about concussions
4. Coaches or officials shall remove an athlete from participating if the athlete exhibits signs, symptoms and behaviors of or is suspected of sustaining a concussion
5. To return to play, the following must be met:
   o The athlete no longer exhibits signs, symptoms and behaviors consistent with a concussion
   o And the athlete is evaluated by a provider trained and experienced in evaluating and managing concussions
   o And the provider gives written permission to return to play.

Information regarding the nature and risks of concussions can be found at the Centers for Disease Control website Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports. This site has many resources, including the fact sheets provided below.

Coaches and Referees online training can be found on the Coaches and Referees pages or on the CDC website.

MBSA will use the CDC Parent – Athlete Concussion Informational Sheet listed below at the beginning of each season to provide parents and athletes information about concussions.

If you are a coach or team manager, you must prove you have completed the CDC's concussion training program.  Click on the link below to send the club your certificate.