The issue of concussions has been at the forefront of the game at both the professional and amateur level.
“We recognize that concussions have been and will always be part of the game,” said Hockey P.E.I. president Goops Wooldridge. “Although we will never eliminate concussions entirely, we want to continue to draw awareness to the issue, and provide our members with the education and resources to help reduce the occurrence of concussions in the game.”
As part of a federally-funded Recreation P.E.I. project called Active and Safe P.E.I., there will be five town-hall education sessions conducted to share information regarding concussions, and to educate participants on how to identify and recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion, how best to treat a concussion and when it is safe to return to play. There will also be opportunity for guests to ask questions.
In collaboration with members of the medical community, all sessions will contain presentations from a certified medical professional with expertise in concussions related to hockey. Sessions will also include other special guests, including a specialized hockey trainer.
Hockey P.E.I. encourages hockey administrators, parents, players, coaches, officials and all volunteers to attend. The sessions are free of charge and open to all members of the public.
“We encourage all members to attend these sessions, and gather very important information and direction related to concussions in the game,” said Wooldridge.
Funding for this initiative is provided in part by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Dates
Dates of concussion education sessions:
Nov. 19 – O’Leary (Access P.E.I. Building).
Nov. 22 – Summerside (Credit Union Place).
Dec. 4 – Abram-Village (Evangeline Recreation Centre).
Note: All sessions will begin at 7 p.m., and the one in Abram-Village will be conducted in French. There will be two additional sessions in Charlottetown and Montague in January 2013. Those dates will be announced later.
