The Province of Ontario, at the present time, is the only Province in Canada to enact Concussion Safety legislation throughout its sport system.

“Rowan’s Law” (Concussion Safety) received Royal Assent on March 7, 2018, and Section 5 of the Act, proclaiming a “Rowan’s Law Day” was the only section that came into effect at that time.

A concussion is a brain injury.  It may affect the way a person thinks, feels and acts.

Any blow to the head, face or neck may cause a concussion. A concussion may also be caused by a blow to the body if the force of the blow causes the brain to move around inside the skull. A concussion can happen to anyone – anywhere – including:

  • at home, school or your workplace
  • following a car, bike or pedestrian accident
  • from participating in games, sports or other physical activity

The purpose of Rowan’s Law legislation is to promote culture change and make participation in amateur competitive sport safer.

On July 1, 2019, new rules came into effect through Rowan’s Law, to improve concussion safety in amateur competitive sport.

If you are an athlete under 26 years of age*, parent of an athlete under 18, coach, team trainer or official and your sport organization has advised that you need to follow the rules of Rowan’s Law you need to:

  • review any one of Ontario’s official Concussion Awareness Resources before registering or serving with your sport organization; and
  • review your sport organization’s Concussion Code of Conduct that they will provide to you; and
  • confirm that you have reviewed both of these resources every year with your sport organization(s)

* Exception: A sport organization that is a University, College of Applies Arts and Technology or other Post-Secondary Institution will be advising athletes of any age that they need to follow the rules of Rowan’s Law.

If you are involved in more than one sport

No matter how many sport organizations you register with in a given year, you are only required to review a Concussion Awareness Resource once within that year. You are however required to confirm your review of a Concussion Awareness Resource with each sport organization with which you register.

You are also required to both review and confirm your review of the Concussion Code of Conduct for each sport organization with which you register.

All RFC registrations will have a step added to the registration process with a link to the Concussion Awareness Resources and a Confirmation that the information has been reviewed.  All RFC Team Officials will be required to sign a RFC Team Official Code of Conduct.