We Support
At Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club, we are committed to the health, safety, and wellbeing of all our players. In line with the AFL’s updated 2024 Concussion Protocols, AFL Barwon has introduced revised concussion guidelines for both Football and Netball, which Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club fully adopts and supports.
All Australian rules football competitions across all age groups (including senior/open and junior levels outside AFL/AFLW) must follow a mandatory minimum 21-day return-to-play protocol following a concussion.
This includes State League competitions (e.g. VFL/VFLW), elite pathway competitions (e.g. Coates Talent League), and all community football competitions.
Under these community guidelines, the earliest a player can return to play after sustaining a concussion is 21 days from the date of the injury, provided they have safely progressed through every stage of the return-to-play program.
Full alignment with the 2024 AFL Concussion Protocols across all age levels and all Australian Rules football competitions affiliated with AFL Barwon.
The same policy also applies to Netball competitions affiliated with AFL Barwon.
These protocols apply to practice matches, interleague games, and any other form of match or competition in football or netball.
This commitment reflects our alignment with AFL Barwon’s 2024–2026 Strategic Plan, supporting the safe and sustainable delivery of sport at a community level.
We encourage all Bell Park players, coaches, officials, and families to familiarise themselves with these updated concussion guidelines and to prioritise player welfare at all times.
AFL Community Concussion Guidelines: https://play.afl/learning-resource/afl-community-concussion-guidelines#article-0
The Management of Sport-Related Concussion in Australian Football (2024): https://play.afl/sites/default/files/2024-03/The-Management-of-Sport-Related-Concussion-in-Australian-Football-March-2024_0.pdf
HeadCheck App: The AFL-endorsed app www.headcheck.com.au can be used to identify and manage suspected concussions for both adults and children.
At Bell Park, we have also introduced an Incident Reporting Form that must be completed for any player injury that results in the player leaving the field or requiring post-match medical attention.