Team Manager's Guide to Hockey Australia Club Hockey All Ages 2026

The Hockey Australia Concussion Policy (effective 1 January 2024) says to remove a player immediately, if safe to do so, after trauma.

Remove and do not return to play or training if any of these are present: loss of consciousness; a dazed, blank or vacant stare; no protective action in falling to the ground; behaviour change atypical of the player; seizure or convulsion, or lying rigid or motionless from muscle spasm; confusion or disorientation; motor incoordination; memory impairment.

Remove for further assessment if any of these are present: a possible occurrence of any sign above; a facial or head injury; lying motionless for over two seconds; balance problems or dizziness; headache; nausea; blurred vision; any other sign that the player is "not quite right".

A player does not have to lose consciousness to have a concussion, and symptoms can be delayed, appearing over the first 24 to 48 hours. Australian hockey recommends a conservative approach to removal.

Not without clearance from a medical professional. The Hockey Australia Concussion Policy (effective 1 January 2024) says that at club and state matches there may be no medical professional at the venue, and that without assessment and clearance by a qualified medical professional, a player with a concussion or suspected concussion must not return to play, training or activity on the same day. Its slogan is "If in doubt, sit them out!"

Where no dedicated match-day medical professional is present, the policy says that under no circumstances should a removed player be allowed to resume the match. The only exception it gives is a player removed for the "needs further assessment" signs (a facial or head injury, lying motionless for over two seconds, headache, blurred vision, balance problems or dizziness, nausea, or "not quite right"), who may return if a medical professional acting in a dedicated match-day role assesses and clears them of concussion.

The Hockey Australia Concussion Policy (effective 1 January 2024) says that if no qualified medical professional is on site:

• Possible structural head injury: signs such as abnormal neurological signs, a persistent or worsening headache, increased drowsiness, persistent vomiting, increasing confusion or seizures usually persist or worsen over time. Do not attempt to treat or move the player. Call an ambulance immediately and wait for it.
• Possible neck or spine injury: suspect one if there is any loss of consciousness. Do not move the player, other than to support the airway. Do not remove protective equipment such as a helmet or face mask unless trained to do so. Call an ambulance and wait.

Respond with basic first aid principles: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR and Defibrillation. A removed player must also be monitored regularly for signs of deterioration.

The Hockey Australia Concussion Policy (effective 1 January 2024) requires a graded return: a brief period of relative rest, then a symptom-limited increase in physical and cognitive activity, then a graded return to full activity with monitoring, based on a medical professional's advice. If symptoms return at any step, the player goes back to the previous stage until symptoms have resolved.

For a player removed because of the more serious signs (loss of consciousness, a dazed or vacant stare, confusion, memory impairment, motor incoordination, seizure, atypical behaviour or no protective action in falling):

• No training before 14 days from the date of the suspected concussion, and only if free of symptoms at rest.
• No playing before 21 days from the date of the suspected concussion.
• Both unless cleared in writing by a specialist concussion doctor such as a neurologist, neurosurgeon or sport and exercise physician.

The policy's schedule says full return to play should not occur before day 21 at the earliest, and only if the player has had no symptoms at rest in the 14 days after returning to full training. Children and adolescents may need more time, and the policy recommends a more conservative approach for anyone under 18. A player with a history of multiple concussions should have a medical clearance before restarting any physical activity.

Under the Hockey Australia Concussion Policy (effective 1 January 2024):

• Reporting: any concussion or suspected concussion at a training or match venue must be reported by the player's nominated club or team representative. Use the online Hockey Australia concussion reporting form and email it to concussion@hockey.org.au, as soon as possible after the incident and with as much detail as possible. If a later assessment finds the player's condition has deteriorated, submit a separate incident form.
• Confidentiality: reports go to the Hockey Australia Integrity Unit and are managed confidentially under the Hockey Australia privacy policy.
• Clearances: medical clearances must be in writing. A player returning to play provides the clearance to the responsible organiser: for local club competitions, the local association general manager (or similar). Clearances should also be reported to concussion@hockey.org.au.

Under the Hockey Australia Concussion Policy (effective 1 January 2024), a "medical professional" means a medically qualified doctor. Physiotherapists, paramedics and sport trainers cannot act as medical professionals for the policy unless Hockey Australia's Chief Medical Officer has approved them in writing.

A suspected concussion should be referred to a medical professional as soon as possible, ideally one with experience in sports concussion. Assessment can happen at the venue if a medical professional is there, at a local general practice, or at a hospital emergency department. The policy suggests keeping a list of local doctors and emergency departments near the venue, which the club or venue operator can confirm at the start of each season.

Hockey Australia's Extreme Weather Guidelines (version 1.2, updated 15 December 2022) are guidelines, not fixed rules.

Outdoors, by ambient temperature and humidity:

• 31 to 35 degrees Celsius with humidity over 50%: high to very high risk. Limit intensity, take more breaks and limit duration to less than 60 minutes.
• 36 degrees and above with humidity over 30%: extreme risk. Postpone to cooler conditions or a cooler part of the day, or cancel.
• The document lists extreme weather as an ambient temperature over 36 degrees, a wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT, shade) over 30, wind over 40 km/h, or more than 80 mm of rain in 24 hours.

Indoor-only competitions use the WBGT (shade) only:

• Above 26: finish the current period, then extend quarter-time breaks from 1 to 2 minutes. Half time can be extended by 2 minutes if the tournament director or competition body decides it is necessary. Training sessions are broken up with drink breaks and run no longer than 60 minutes.
• Above 34 (seniors and open age) or 30 (juniors and masters): matches in progress are suspended at the end of the current period, and no new matches begin until the reading drops below those levels.

Readings come from a handheld temperature and humidity reader beside the court, or the closest Bureau of Meteorology WBGT (shade) station. The tournament director or competition organisers tell team managers about fixture changes.

Hockey Australia's Extreme Weather Guidelines (version 1.2, updated 15 December 2022) say:

• Lightning: use the 30/30 rule. If the time between the lightning flash and the thunder is less than 30 seconds, suspend play, and do not resume until 30 minutes after the last thunder. Sturdy buildings are the safest shelter. Avoid sheds, picnic shelters, metal coaching boxes and goals. A car with the windows closed also offers some protection.
• Hail: suspend all play so players and officials can seek shelter. Restart after the hail has stopped, paying attention to the amount of ice on the surface. In extreme circumstances, consider deferring the restart to allow melting or manual clearing.
• Wind chill: the chill section says minus 2 degrees Celsius apparent temperature is the point where play should be suspended, while the document's extreme weather table lists an apparent temperature below 2 degrees Celsius as an extreme weather determinant.

The document describes itself as "purely guidelines", and local competition by-laws may add rules about suspending or cancelling play.

The Hockey Australia Code of Conduct (effective 1 January 2024) names team managers as Participants, so it applies to you. It requires you to:

• Act within the rules and spirit of hockey, and be ethical, considerate, fair and honest.
• Accept and respect the authority of officials, and not use offensive language or show unnecessary dissension, displeasure or disapproval towards an official, on or off the field.
• Treat everyone with courtesy, respect and dignity.
• Act with care and diligence to keep people safe.
• Respect and protect confidential information obtained through hockey activities.
• Comply with all reasonable directions of, and accept all decisions of, representatives of hockey organisations doing their duties.
• Not behave in a way that is drunk and disorderly, violent, unlawful or unsafe, or that creates a public nuisance around a venue.

It is also a breach to make public comment, including on social media, that brings a hockey organisation, a person or hockey into disrepute. Allegations are handled under the Hockey Australia Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy.