The Brain Health and Concussion plan New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Rugby Foundation and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association are working together to establish best practice in managing the risks of concussion in rugby. Like any contact sport, rugby carries risk of injury, but we believe our game can be played safely without compromising the competitive element or spectacle. The Brain Health and Concussion plan sets out our collective actions to keep every player as safe as possible from the risks of concussion. • Our three organisations (NZR, NZRPA and NZRF) are working together to ensure we are taking a ‘whole-ofgame’ approach to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep every player as safe as possible from the risks of concussion. • The welfare of our players is collectively our top priority, and this is why it made sense for our organisations to work in partnership on this. • This plan, which will be updated annually, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to transparency and openness. • Our focus in this plan is on five key areas: Injury Prevention, Injury Management, education and training, research and monitoring, and Communication. • We aim to continue ensuring that players, referees, coaches, parents, clubs, and fans have access to the information they need to support player welfare at every level. OUR PLAN The plan is set out across the five key focus areas of the Brain Health and Concussion ~Risk Management Framework. Underpinning these is the commitment that all initiatives will consider the differing needs of our participants to ensure they are culturally safe. Within each focus area lies its goal, a description and a table outlining the planned initiatives. Initiatives will fall into one of two categories; a)proven initiatives we have established and will continue to deliver, or b) new or improved initiatives designed to further bolster our support of brain health and concussion risk management. This work is informed by a range of policies, laws and regulations which have been established to safeguard players within the game. MORE INFORMATION • There is a whole section on the NZR website and which shares all information for participants, and this will continue to have education campaigns throughout our community rugby season. • Professional players can reach out to their PUs, Super Clubs, NZR or the NZRPA for more information. New Zealand Rugby unveils comprehensive Concussion Risk Management Plan https://www.rugbyfoundation.nz/ newsarticle/151470?newsfeedId= 1735001newsarticle/151470? newsfeedId=1735001 INJURY PREVENTION INJURY MANAGEMENT EDUCATION & TRAINING RESEARCH & MONITORING COMMUNICATION Collaboration with the Auckland University Brain Bank, The Neurological Foundation, NZR, NZRPA and NZRF. 44 ANNUAL REPORT 2024
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