The Barrie Curling Club (BCC) regards player safety, including head injury avoidance and concussion recovery, to be of paramount importance. BCC Head Injury and Concussion policies and protocols include:
- Helmets are mandatory for curlers age 12 and under.
- Helmets are strongly recommended for all curlers.
- The BCC supports and follows the implementation of Rowan’s Law Concussion Protocol guidelines for curlers of all ages who sustain known or suspected head injuries while curling.
- Head/ Helmet Ice Contact Policy: An ambulance (911) will be called whenever a person on the ice falls and their head or helmet makes contact with the ice (or is seen to contact with the ice).
- Return to Sport Policy: When a person has fallen and their head or helmet makes contact with the ice (or is seen to make contact with the ice), they are able to return to their NEXT or later regularly scheduled game ONLY if one of the two following conditions are met:
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- The ambulance attendant assesses the person who has fallen, deems no further medical attention is required, and signs the relevant section of the BCC Incident Report form indicating the person is cleared to resume physical activities.
- The person provides a medical note from either a Nurse Practitioner or Physician indicating the person is cleared to resume physical activities such as curling.
Curlers under the age of 18 and Parents and Guardians of curlers under the age of 18 are required to agree to the following before accessing BCC curling facilities:
- BCC Head/ Helmet Ice Contact Policy as stated above
- BCC Return to Sport policy as stated above
- Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes and Parents/Guardians
Curlers ages 18 to 26 are required to agree to the following before accessing BCC curling facilities:
- BCC Head/ Helmet Ice Contact Policy as stated above
- BCC Return to Sport policy as stated above
- Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes and Parents/Guardians
Curlers age 27 and over are required to agree to the following before accessing BCC curling facilities:
- BCC Head/ Helmet Ice Contact Policy as stated above
- BCC Return to Sport policy as stated above
Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes and Parents/Guardians
I will help prevent concussions by:
- Wearing the proper equipment for my sport and wearing it correctly.
- Developing my skills and strength so that I can participate to the best of my ability.
- Respecting the rules of my sport or activity.
- My commitment to fair play and respect for all (respecting other athletes, coaches, team trainers and officials)
I will care for my health and safety by taking concussions seriously, and I understand that:
- A concussion is a brain injury that I can have both short and long-term effects.
- A blow to my head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that causes the brain to move around inside the skull may cause a concussion.
- I don't need to lose consciousness to have had a concussion.
- I have a commitment to concussion recognition and reporting, including self-reporting of possible concussion and reporting to a designated person when an individual suspects that another individual may have sustained a concussion. (Meaning: If I think I might have a concussion I should stop participating in further training, practice or competition immediately, or tell an adult if I think another athlete has a concussion.)
- Continuing to participate in further training, practice or competition with a possible concussion increases my risk of more severe, longer lasting symptoms, and increases my risk of other injuries.
I will not hide concussion symptoms. I will speak up for myself and others.
- I will not hide my symptoms. I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent or another adult I trust if I experience any symptoms of concussion.
- If someone else tells me about concussion symptoms, or I see signs they might have a concussion, I will tell a coach, official, team trainer, parent or another adult I trust so they can help.
- I understand that if I have a suspected concussion, I will be removed from sport and that I will not be able to return to training, practice or competition until I undergo a medical assessment by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner and have been medically cleared to return to training, practice or competition.
- I have a commitment to sharing any pertinent information regarding incidents of removal from sport with the athlete's school and any other sport organization with which the athlete has registered. (Meaning: If I am diagnosed with a concussion, I understand that letting all my other coaches and teachers know about my injury will help them support me while I recover.)
I will take the time I need to recover, because it is important for my health.
- I understand my commitment to supporting the return to sport process (I will have to follow my sport organization's Return to Sport protocol).
- I understand I will have to be medically cleared by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner before returning to training, practice or competition.
- I will respect my coaches, team trainers, parents, healthcare professionals, and medical doctors and nurse practitioners, regarding my health and safety.
Additional Resources
Concussion Awareness Resource for Ages 10 and Under
Concussion Awareness Resource for Ages 11 to 14
Concussion Awareness Resource for Ages 15 and Up
Coaches Association of Ontario Toolkit for Coaches
Barrie Curling Club Documents
- Head Injury on Ice Surface or Head Contact with Ice Surface Policy (4056.1) (December 2025)
- Session Safety Briefing (6101) (December 2025)
