Concussion is a traumatic brain injury that results in a disturbance of brain function. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of concussion include headaches, dizziness, memory impairment or loss of balance.

Concussion can be caused by a direct blow to the head, but can also occur in whiplash type injuries, where a blow to another body part results in rapid movement to the head.

Concussions can happen to anyone at any age. However, children and adolescent athletes are more susceptible to concussion and they take longer to recover from concussion-related injuries.

Rugby Canada PlaySmart is a Player Welfare program that aims to educate players, parents, coaches, match officials and administrators on the safety of Rugby across Canada.

The health and safety of every player across the country is of paramount importance. Rugby Canada strives to ensure a safe playing environment at all levels. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that all players are protected and ensure that the game is played safely.

To learn more, visit the Rugby Canada website.

Check out the links and downloads below for useful information on Player Welfare in Rugby:

For Canadian players wishing to play Rugby in another Union.

In accordance with World Rugby Regulation 4, when moving to another country all players (both youth & adults) are required to obtain international clearance from their current Union to play Rugby for a Club in another Union.

Each Union has its own International Clearance Application form, which is tailored to their specific processing requirements. Rugby Canada will request its own International Clearance Form to be completed. The incorrect form being submitted will cause a delay in your processing times.

If you are currently registered as a Rugby player in Canada and are planning to play in another country, you will need to be cleared out of Canada and into your new Union. To do this:

It is recommended that players moving to Canada to play Rugby obtain a copy of their Unions international clearance from via their Club or Union. Players will need to complete and submit this form prior to their departure to Canada.

Rugby Canada can only accept approved clearances directly from the Union of the country you are leaving. Once we receive an approved clearance from another Union, you will be notified by Rugby Canada.

Follow the steps below:

Per World Rugby guidelines, this form must be completed and approval sought for players wishing to play with the opposite gender if they are aged 13 and older. This process also applies for age-grade exemptions in the following scenarios:

• U19 players wishing to play Senior Rugby
• Age-Grade players wishing/needing to play up or down by one birth year

To download the BC Rugby Player Exemption Form, click to view the below PDF and then click the ‘Save’ button in the top right corner:

Use the dropdown menu below for information on Refund Requests, Transfers and Upgrades:

The following section houses all information relating to Accessing Medical Care in BC. If you are in need of urgent medical care, please dial 9-1-1.

Once you are a registered member of BC Rugby, you become insured and covered under Rugby Canada’s insurance policy for the season. This includes Sports Liability Insurance, Sport Accident Insurance, Provincial Excess Medical Coverage, and Travel Coverage while on sanctioned Tours.

Under the insurance program, the activities that are covered include sanctioned or authorized activities, such as games, practices, tournaments, camps, events, and tours. Tours require a separate sanctioning application to access the Travel Coverage in the insurance program.

Provincial Union/Rugby Canada Extended Medical Coverage Injury Reporting and Claims Process

To make an insurance claim after sustaining an injury please complete the following steps:

Travel Medical Process (tours)

Only sanctioned tours will be able to make a claim against the national insurance program. Players who have been cleared to play international can not be exposed to the National Insurance Program.

Registered Participants of Member Organizations have extensive travel coverage under the National Insurance Program. This coverage will apply while on sanctioned and approved tours for member organizations.

Sutton Special Risk Insurance works with a Medical Assistance Service provider called, On Call International. By utilizing the Travel Medical Assistance Company, On Call International, members will be able to complete the following process if injury or sickness occurs:

In BC, public health insurance is called the Medical Services Plan (MSP). It covers the cost of medically necessary insured doctor services. For information on MSP services for BC residents, visit the BC Government website.

When you leave Canada to play in another Union you will cease to be covered under the National Insurance Program. All players planning to play Rugby outside of Canada are advised to research the insurance arrangements in their new Union.

Please note that the insurance coverage in some Unions may be significantly less than that provided in Canada. In addition, in some countries, injured players will be required to pay for any medical treatment they receive.

If you can not find the information you are looking for or need assistance with an international clearance, please contact clearances@rugby.ca