THE EFL had two representatives attend the recent Concussion in Football conference held at Etihad Stadium.
Football Operations Manager Phil Murton and EFL Trainers Association President Graeme Cocking heard from worldwide experts regarding the latest research and information on the management of concussion in sport.
‘It was an important conference about an issue that all football codes are united in trying to address and understand,’ Murton said.
Murton took away three key points from the conference, including Hawthorn star Brad Sewell’s comment on the need for footballers to be ‘saved from themselves’ as they are brave and courageous athletes by nature.
‘This is something administrators of all codes need to be conscious of,’ he said.
Murton also believes the education and awareness campaign for players, coaches, trainers, parents, medical professionals and spectators is critical in adjusting attitudes to players that may have suffered a concussion.
‘Players need to learn to treat brain injuries with the same care and discipline they currently show to other injuries like hamstring strains – if not more,’ he said.
In a validation of the new concussion management program the EFL has launched with Ekera Urgent Care, Murton says receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment from suitably trained medical professionals is vital.
‘By their own acknowledgment, most GP’s have little training in the assessment and management of concussion injuries,’ he said.
‘The importance of seeing doctors trained in assessing and managing concussion It was highlighted at the conference, confirming the program we have established with Ekera as a best practice service for all EFL players.’
After attending the conference, Murton firmly believes Australian Rules players are in the best possible hands when it comes to concussion management.
‘With the quality of doctors and researchers involved, the Australian Football industry is at the forefront of world research into the issue of concussion in sport,’ he said.
‘The policies and programs are based on world expert consensus for the management of concussion with the information that is currently available.
‘The AFL has recently launched an initiative with the Florey Institute, one of the world’s leading brain research organisations, to ensure Australia remains at the forefront of this.’
‘Our message to players, coaches, trainers and parents is that while there is no need for alarm, there is a need for everyone involved in contact sports to become more educated with regards to concussion and how it should be managed.’
For further general information on the management of concussion, click here.
For further information on the EFL/Ekera Urgent Care Concussion Management Program, clickhere.