Sarnia, Ontario – August 23, 2018 – Sarnia Minor Athletics Association (SMAA) Football announces a new concussion management program to improve education, player safety and injury management in partnership with Complete Concussion Management (CCMI) and In Motion Health-Wellness-Fitness.
“Concussions continue to be at the forefront of sports, especially in football. SMAA Football is dedicated to the safety of our players and educating our coaches and families is a priority in our 2018 program,” said Jenn Pinnell-Fisher, SMAA Football Chairperson. “Though concussions can’t always be prevented, as a community we can work together to recognize the symptoms, support treatment and recovery, and reduce the risk of additional injuries during recovery. The CCMI program is a tool and resource that brings us together in this endeavour. Partnering with CCMI has been a positive step forward in our updated concussion policies and protocols.”
The comprehensive concussion management program and policy includes:
As part of the partnership, SMAA Football athletes receive preferred access to In Motion Health–Wellness–Fitness, Sarnia’s only integrated health and fitness facility and recognized Complete Concussion Management clinic.
“At In Motion, we pride ourselves on innovative, patient-centered healthcare,” said Dr. Jane Pilkey, In Motion Health–Wellness–Fitness. “The Complete Concussion Management program offers SMAA Football athletes best-in-class treatment and rehabilitation should a concussion occur, and our return to play protocols puts player safety first.”
Concussions cannot be prevented in contact sports such as football; however, returning to activity before full recovery can increase the risk for subsequent injury and long-term impact. Therefore, it’s critical that concussed athletes receive timely assessment and access to treatment, and make a full recovery before returning to play.
The Sarnia Minor Athletics Association (SMAA) is a non-profit organization, run entirely by volunteers, offering sports activities to the youth of Sarnia & District. SMAA Football began in 1957. Since that time this program has taken registrations for over 10,000 players. SMAA Football has age divisions for Atoms (7-9 years of age), PeeWee (10-11 years of age) and Bantams (12-13 years of age). For more information, visit sarniaminorfootball.com.
In Motion: Health – Wellness – Fitness is Sarnia’s only integrated health and fitness facility. We offer a multi-disciplinary health care environment where our Health Team can collaborate to provide innovative, evidence-based care for a variety of acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders. For more information, visit sarniainmotion.ca.
Complete Concussion Management Inc. (CCMI) provides comprehensive evidence-based concussion training and education to multidisciplinary healthcare practitioners as well as the Concussion Sideline Course to coaches, trainers and teachers to inform how to understand, recognize, and safely manage a concussed athlete. The network of recognized clinics and trained practitioners offer accessible care to manage concussions, and can co-manage patients with local family doctors and advanced care specialists. CCMI has a proven track record of developing and implementing concussion policies and programs for local, provincial, and national sports associations across Canada. For more information, visit www.completeconcussions.com.
Jenn Pinnell-Fisher
SMAA Football Convenor and Chairperson
fishpond202@gmail.com
Dr. Jane Pilkey
In Motion Health–Wellness–Fitness
drjane@sarniainmotion.ca
Rick Maddalena
Complete Concussion Management Inc.
rmaddalena@completeconcussions.com
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