What does Ringette Canada's concussion protocol require of coaches before and during the season?
Rule- Canada
- Ringette Canada
- Ringette
- U12
- 2026-27
- Coaches
From the Ringette Canada Concussion Protocol (adapted from the 2024 Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport):
- Pre-season: all athletes, parents/guardians, coaches, trainers, Safety Personnel and team staff must review and submit a signed Pre-season Concussion Education Sheet to their coach or team designate before the first practice of the season. Officials submit theirs to their administrator before their first game.
- Recognition: coaches, like everyone in the ringette community, are responsible for recognizing and reporting a suspected concussion. Suspect one if an athlete has an impact to the head, face, neck or body and shows observable signs or reports symptoms from the Concussion Recognition Tool 6, including when the impact was not witnessed.
- Remove immediately: in every suspected case the athlete is removed from the activity immediately and gets a medical assessment as soon as possible. A youth athlete (under 18) suspected of a concussion must not return to the game or practice.
- Cautionary removal: if an athlete is removed after an impact with no signs or symptoms, they can return but should be monitored for delayed symptoms for up to 48 hours.
- Red flags: loss of consciousness, convulsions, worsening headaches, repeated vomiting or neck pain mean a more severe head or spine injury is suspected. Call an ambulance, do not move the athlete or remove equipment (unless formally trained), do not leave them alone, and contact the parents/guardians immediately.
- Diagnosis: the medical assessment that decides whether there is a concussion is done by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner (scope varies by province; the protocol notes that in Quebec nurse practitioners cannot diagnose concussion). SCAT6 or Child SCAT6 may be used by a licensed healthcare professional but must not be used to make sideline return-to-sport decisions for youth. Athletes with a diagnosed concussion must follow the gradual return strategies.
Documents: https://www.ringette.ca/safe-sport/concussions/ . Protocol: https://www.ringette.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/EN-RC-Concussion-Protocol.pdf
Updated 25 Oct 2026