home/Governance/BC Rugby Safe Sport
Contact the Canadian Sport Helpline
Phone: 1 888 837-7678
Text: 1 888 83SPORT
info@abuse-free-sport.ca
Safe Sport includes physical and mental well-being, as well as your or your child’s personal safety and inclusion. BC Rugby is committed to leading by example, treating all individuals with respect and consideration, and providing an organisation, community and environment that is welcoming, safe, and supportive for all Individuals to enjoy Rugby.
BC Rugby has a number of policies that, collectively, work to set standards for behaviour and practices that deliver a safe, respectful and fair sporting environment for everyone. To view BC Rugby’s Code of Conduct, and other key policies, visit our Policies page.
Like most sports and recreational activities, Rugby comes with some risk of injury. However, BC Rugby takes direction from World Rugby, seeks evidence-backed strategies on reducing the prevalence of injuries, as well as supply education and support to coaches, referees, and other team staff to manage and avoid risk around player contact in the game.
Click on the topics below to learn more:
CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT: RECOGNISE AND REMOVE!
BC Rugby’s number one priority is player safety and adheres to World Rugby’s policy of ‘Recognise and Remove’ when dealing with concussions or suspected concussions. Any player suspected or suffering from concussion should be immediately removed from the training session or match, and not permitted to return until they have completed a full Return to Play Protocol and cleared by a physician.
If in doubt, sit them out.
During a Rugby game, the Match Official has absolute authority to remove a player if the Match Official suspects is suffering from concussion. However, this is a failsafe protocol, as the responsibility lies with the coach of that player to act in the player’s best interests and remove them from the field.
Recognising Concussion
If any of the following signs or symptoms are present following an injury the player should be suspected of having a concussion and immediately removed from play or training.
Any one or more of the following visual clues indicate a concussion:
- Dazed, blank or vacant look
- Lying motionless on ground/slow to get up
- Unsteady on feet/balance problems or falling over/incoordination
- Loss of consciousness or responsiveness
- Confused/not aware of plays or events
- Grabbing/clutching of head
- Seizure (fits)
- More emotional/irritable than normal for that person
Presence of any one or more of the following signs and symptoms may suggest a concussion:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Mental clouding, confusion or feeling slowed down
- Visual problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness/feeling like ‘in a fog’/difficultly concentrating
- ‘Pressure in head’
- Sensitivity to light or noise
Anyone on or around the Rugby pitch has a responsibility to be aware of the symptoms of concussion and are encouraged to annually complete World Rugby’s online Concussion Management module to learn more. We also strongly encourage parents, guardians, partners or housemates of Rugby players to complete the online module to be informed.
Concussion App
World Rugby has a Concussion App with all the basics of Concussion Management. Download it now from Google Play or the Apple Store.
Get Medical Help
If you think a head injury might be serious, call 9-1-1 or visit an emergency department right away. For non-emergency information or advice, call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse any time of the day, every day of the year.
All suspected concussions should be diagnosed by a qualified health professional.
Visit HealthLinkBC for more information.
DID YOU KNOW?
BC Rugby Membership includes excess medical insurance. This means you can claim out-of-pocket medical expenses relating to a Rugby injury. Visit the Player & Parents Resources page for details on how to make a claim.
Concussion Resources
Click on the boxes below to explore a range of Concussion Resources:
World Rugby Concussion Protocol for General Public
Click for more information on World Rugby's Concussion Protocol for General Public.
Learn MoreWorld Rugby – Rugby Ready
Learn more about the World Rugby – Rugby Ready course.
Learn MorePocket Concussion Recognition Tool
Find out more information on the Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool.
DownloadHealthLinkBC Concussion Information
Click for HealthLinkBC Concussion Information.
Learn MoreSportMedBC Practitioner Directory
Click for the SportMedBC Practitioner Directory.
Learn MoreResources for Health Professionals
Click on the boxes below to explore a range of Resources for Health Professionals:
World Rugby Concussion Module for Doctors & Healthcare Professionals
Click for the World Rugby Concussion Module for Doctors & Healthcare Professionals.
Learn MoreCODE OF CONDUCT
The BC Rugby Code of Conduct aims to provide a safe, positive, and inclusive environment within BC Rugby and all of BC Rugby’s programs, competitions, events, and activities. All Individual Members and Member Organisations are beholden to this Code of Conduct and its key principles of safety, integrity, respect and inclusion for all.
Breaches and complaints concerning a violation or breach of the BC Rugby Code of Conduct must be submitted in writing to either the Chair of the Discipline Committee, the CEO or the President of BC Rugby.
All complaints are taken seriously, and the BC Rugby Discipline Committee have the authority to suspend or expel individuals and organisations from further participation in the sport.
If you have a complaint, we strongly encourage that you follow the procedures as outlaid in the Code of Conduct. Alternatively, please feel free to contact a Staff Member or Director of BC Rugby to raise your concerns. Members are now able to send a Code of Conduct complaint by using this form.
HELPLINE FOR CHILDREN
If you are a child or youth and would like to talk to someone call the BC Helpline for Children for free at 310-1234. There is no cost to call this number.
You do not need an area code. You can call at any time of the day or night and you do not have to give your name.
REPORTING CHILD ABUSE AND MALTREATMENT
Child Abuse
If you think a child or youth under 19 years of age is being abused or neglected, you have the legal duty to report your concern to a child welfare worker.
Phone 1 800 663-9122 at any time of the day or night.
Maltreatment
Are you aware of a suspected incident of abuse, harassment or discrimination in Canadian sport? Do you have questions and/or concerns about this incident? Your best point of contact is the Canadian Sport Helpline who can provide assistance, advice and resources on how to proceed/intervene appropriately under the circumstances.
If your concern is a possible breach of BC Rugby’s Code of Conduct, we strongly encourage that you follow the procedures as outlaid in the Code of Conduct. Alternatively, please feel free to contact a Staff Member or Director of BC Rugby to raise your concerns.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
If you believe any person or child is in imminent danger, please call 9-1-1.
If you think an injury might be serious, call 9-1-1 or visit an emergency department right away. For non-emergency information or advice, call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse any time of the day, every day of the year.
HEAT AND SMOKE CONSIDERATIONS
Please keep an eye on your local conditions and refer to the following guidance:
HEAT: World Rugby’s Heat Guidelines indicates that 30 degrees Celsius is the top of acceptable temperature levels for outdoor physical activities
AIR QUALITY: The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) provides hourly air quality readings and related health messages. Visit the BC Government website regularly to check if the air quality is safe for strenuous outdoor activities in your area.
BC Rugby
A: 2015 Main Street, Vancouver, BC | V5T 0J8
T: 604.737.3065
E: info@bcrugby.com
BC Rugby gratefully acknowledges that its offices reside on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
