We received the following email from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association who governs the leagues our boys play in. The following is the new concussion protocol which states that players who have any sort of head impact during the game must be immediately subbed out and cannot return to play without getting clearance from a medical doctor. Please read below for more details on what was sent to our team.

On February 9, at the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) general meeting, ENYYSA announced to its 11 leagues the new concussion protocol for all matches under ENYYSA jurisdiction:

Whenever a player’s head is injured, regardless of whether the collision was with an opponent, teammate, or an object on the field such as a goal post, the safety of that player is of prime concern. Any youth player who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or injury in a practice or game shall be immediately removed from the game. The player’s pass will be retained by the referee and submitted along with the game report to your league office. Player’s may return to play with clearance from a medical doctor.

Substitution Rules for Players Suspected of having a concussion in a League or Club based tournament.

-If a player is suspected of having a concussion, by the referees, team official, or league officials the player will be withdrawn from the game immediately.

-That player’s card will be obtained by the referee with a notion made on the lineup card. The notification of possible concussion form will be completed. The player’s card will be sent by the tournament director to the league office where the player is registered, along with the notification of possible concussion form, immediately after the tournament.

-Once the league office received a medical clearance from a Health Care Professional (MD, DO, or athletic trainer who is certified in concussions) the player pass should be mailed back to the coach via express mail, 24 hours, with a copy of the correspondence to the parents.

If you run a tournament that is 2 days or more, in length, with more than 64 teams older than Under 10, it is highly recommended that your tournament have a MD, DO, or Athletic Trainer (Certified in Cat 1, 2, and 3) available for diagnosis of the player.

Substitution Rules for Players Suspected of having a concussion in a League Match (including State Cup and ENYPL games).

-If a player is suspected of having a concussion, by the referees, team officials, or league officials the player will be withdrawn from the game immediately.

-That player’s card will be retained by the referee. A notation made on the lineup card and that care and that card and player pass sent to the League office, with an incident report within 24 hours.

-Once the league received a medical clearance from a Health Care Professional (MD, DO, or athletic trainer who is certified in concussions) the player pass should be mailed back to the coach via express mail, on the next business day, with a copy of the correspondence to the parents.

If you have any questions please call the state office at 516-766-0849.

Arthena

Arthena V. Sherwood

Communications Associate

Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

265 Sunrise Hwy. Suite 38

Rockville Centre, NY 11570

Ph: 888-5-ENYYSA or 516-766-0849

Fax: 516-678-7411