CURRENT LEGISLATION
Rowan’s Law, 2018
The purpose of this Act is to enhance safe sport in Ontario through prevention and management to protect amateur competitive athletes by reducing their risk of concussion. It focuses on improving concussion safety and awareness, both on the field and at school.
Recent Developments
July 2019: Rowan’s Law, 2018 Came Into Effect
Background:
In the spring of 2013, Rowan Stringer, a high school rugby player from Ottawa died from a condition known as second impact syndrome. Rowan is believed to have sustained three concussions over six days while playing rugby. Rowan’s Law was established to honour her memory and bring awareness to concussions and concussion safety.
​
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 resources every year with your sport organization(s)
On January 1, 2021, additional rules came into effect that require sport organizations to put into place Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocols, to improve concussion safety.
​
PRO's Response:
PRO is a strong advocate for concussion safety and continues to share information about Rowan’s Law with members.
​