Green Hornets Step Up Concussion Awareness, Training

By Josh Banks, Executive Director of Greater Severna Park Athletic Association

Parents may remember getting their “bell rung” as children in organized sports and being encouraged to “shake it off.” Today there is a wealth of medical research that shows concussions are not only common sport injuries, but their symptoms may be subtle or easily overlooked. Once associated with professional contact sports like football, hockey or soccer, concussions can occur in any sport, age or skill level.

The Greater Severna Park Athletic Association and Anne Arundel County Parks and Recreation are stepping up coach, parent and player concussion resources and requirements to raise awareness of concussion symptoms, take concussion preventative measures whenever possible, and ensure concussions are quickly identified so that our children can get the appropriate medical treatment.

Guardians and parents of youths playing organized sports through Anne Arundel County Parks and Recreation must sign a concussion awareness form for each child in each sport at the time of registration. Player registrations will not be processed through Green Hornets without parent acknowledgement that they have read and understood the concussion symptoms and how to treat or prevent them.


Coaches’ Requirements

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have developed HEADS UP to Youth Sports: online training for coaches, parents, and others helping to keep athletes safe from concussion. All Green Hornets coaches are required to complete the training and supply their completion certificate to the Greater Severna Park Athletic Association.

Additionally, Green Hornets provides regular concussion awareness seminars hosted by local physicians and made available to all coaches throughout the year.
 

Signs Observed by a Parent/Guardian

If an athlete exhibits one or more of the following behaviors, contact your pediatrician immediately, or seek treatment from an urgent care or emergency facility. If these symptoms are witnessed at a sporting event, report the behavior(s) to your coach immediately.

•           Appears dazed or stunned

•           Is confused about assignment or position

•           Forgets sports plays

•           Is unsure of game, score, or opponent

•           Move clumsily

•           Answers questions slowly

•           Loses consciousness (even briefly)

•           Shows behavior or personality changes

•           Can’t recall events prior to hit or fall

•           Can’t recall events after hit or fall

Signs Reported by the Athlete

If an athlete indicates he or she is experiencing one or more of the following behaviors, contact your pediatrician immediately or seek treatment from an urgent care or emergency facility. If these symptoms are witnessed at a sporting event, report the behavior(s) to your coach immediately.

•           Headache or “pressure” in the head

•           Nausea or vomiting

•           Balance problems or dizziness

•           Double or blurry vision

•           Sensitivity to light

•           Sensitivity to noise

•           Feeling sluggish, hazy or groggy

•           Concentration or memory problems

•           Confusion

•           Does not “feel right”

Green Hornets Sports Registration

Online registration for summer and fall sports is open through June 15 at www.greenhornets.org. Summer sports include rugby, track & field and select baseball for 16U and above. Fall sports include soccer (clinic, club and select), football, field hockey, fall baseball (club and select/travel) and cheerleading.

The GSPAA is the premier youth sports organization in the region, starting with a single sport in 1949 and now enrolling more than 7,500 youth athletes in 13 different sports annually. We are committed to providing a safe and rewarding athletic experience to our children. For more information on Green Hornets, please contact greenhornets@verizon.net or call 410-544-6706.

Callout Box

Safe Kids Worldwide: Based on hospital ER reports, more than 163,000 concussions were diagnosed in 2012. However, the actual number of cases is significantly higher. In that same report, Safe Kids Worldwide estimates that 47 percent of diagnosed concussions were sustained by youth athletes between the ages of 12 and 15. 

About Josh Banks

Josh Banks is the Executive Director of the Greater Severna Park Athletic Association. Banks is a native of Severna Park and a long-time Green Hornet. He attended Florida International University on a baseball scholarship before being drafted into Major League Baseball in 2003 in the second round by the Toronto Blue Jays. Banks pitched in 27 MLB games over four seasons. He is a member of both the Anne Arundel County Sports and Severna Park High School Halls of Fame.