What does Rowan's Law require of soccer coaches in Ontario?

Q: What does Rowan's Law require of soccer coaches in Ontario?

Rowan's Law is Ontario's concussion safety law. Under it: Annual review: coaches, team trainers and officials must confirm each year that they have reviewed Ontario's Concussion Awareness Resources. Athletes under 26 and parents of athletes under 18 must do the same. This took effect on July 1, 2019. Concussion Code of Conduct: the sport organization must establish one, with rules of behaviour that support concussion prevention. Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocol: the sport organization must establish one. This took effect on January 1, 2022. Medical clearance: only physicians and nurse practitioners can medically assess athletes and confirm they are cleared to return to amateur competitive sport. Coaches may also serve as a designated person with specific responsibilities under the law. For OPDL, the Safe Sport Roster that every rostered team official must complete includes NCCP Making Headway in Sport and NCCP Emergency Action Plan. Sources: Ontario government, Rowan's Law concussion safety (https://www.ontario.ca/page/rowans-law-concussion-safety); OPDL Operational Rules, March 2026.

Question

Accepted Answer

Rowan's Law is Ontario's concussion safety law. Under it:

Annual review: coaches, team trainers and officials must confirm each year that they have reviewed Ontario's Concussion Awareness Resources. Athletes under 26 and parents of athletes under 18 must do the same. This took effect on July 1, 2019.
Concussion Code of Conduct: the sport organization must establish one, with rules of behaviour that support concussion prevention.
Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocol: the sport organization must establish one. This took effect on January 1, 2022.
Medical clearance: only physicians and nurse practitioners can medically assess athletes and confirm they are cleared to return to amateur competitive sport.
Coaches may also serve as a designated person with specific responsibilities under the law.

For OPDL, the Safe Sport Roster that every rostered team official must complete includes NCCP Making Headway in Sport and NCCP Emergency Action Plan.

Sources: Ontario government, Rowan's Law concussion safety (https://www.ontario.ca/page/rowans-law-concussion-safety); OPDL Operational Rules, March 2026.