One of our top priorities as a league is player safety. In December of 2015 US Soccer published "Concussion Initiative Guidelines" to increase awareness of how to manage head injuries and to spread that awareness to parents, players, coaches and referees. North Texas Soccer followed up and distributed their *Concussion Awareness and Protocol" information last week – that protocol is effective immediately.  

During a game a Referee may send a player to the sidelines for evaluation by a LHGCL on-site Athletic Trainer if she is exhibiting one or more symptoms of a concussion or head injury. Referees are being educated about the triggers and the signs indicating a head injury/concussion. We encourage all Parents, Coaches, and players to review the Concussion Training Video found on the home page of the ntxsoccer.org website.

Once a player has been instructed by the referee to leave the field for an Athletic Trainer evaluation, she will NOT be allowed to re-enter the field of play during that game without authorization from the on-site Athletic Trainer who performed the concussion evaluation. Please note: LHGCL schedules a licensed on-site Athletic Trainer to be at all of our league games. In the rare event that an LHGCL on-site Athletic Trainer is not available, the player will NOT be allowed to return to play in that game if the referee has sent her to the sidelines for evaluation as a result of the presence of signs of a head injury.

The LHGCL on-site Athletic Trainer will administer a SCAT-5 test on-site. After completion of the test, the Athletic Trainer will determine the eligibility of the player for the remainder of that game and moving forward. There are TWO scenarios that could occur following the Athletic Trainer’s evaluation.

SCENARIO 1. The Player is NOT cleared, may NOT return to play, and will need a Physician's Medical Clearance to return to play. If this determination is made by the Athletic Trainer, the player will need to take the necessary steps to gain Medical Clearance from a licensed physician or Neuropsychologist before she can return to future LHGCL Competitive Play. Instructions will be given to the Player/Parent/Guardian at the field to assist with this process.

• The decision of the LHGCL on-site Athletic Trainer is FINAL.
• The Athletic Trainer will notify the Referee that the player is NOT eligible to return to the field of play. There must be no attempt to circumvent this decision. Failure to adhere to this decision could result in a misconduct sanction being assessed by the Referee to the Coach and/or Player, and if necessary a game abandonment/forfeit by the offending team. The Referee has the authority to stop the game and take any actions necessary to make certain the player does not return to play.
• The player will need to obtain further evaluation by a licensed Physician or Neuropsychologist and obtain a signed medical clearance letter by a licensed Physician or Neuropsychologist to return to play.
• The player will be "Lined" out in GotSoccer by a League official following the game and verification of the LHGCL on-site Athletic Trainer’s evaluation.  She will NOT be eligible to play until the league office is in receipt of a Physician signed "Medical Clearance" letter for that player.
• Once a player has received a signed medical clearance from a licensed Physician or Neuropsychologist, they will email or fax a copy of it to:

Kendall Goldberg MLA ATC LAT

Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation

Outpatient Services- SportsHealth

kgoldberg@bswrehab.com

(717) 412-9175 fax

ALL INSTRUCTIONS and CLEARANCE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THIS PAGE

• The clearance letter will be validated within 24 hours of receipt and the player will be cleared via GotSoccer and allowed to return to play. The Manager of the team will be notified when Clearance is given.

• Updated Deadline Requirements: ALL clearance documents must be received by 1:00pm the day prior to a weeknight game and by Thursday at 5pm for a weekend game in order for them to return to play. Please DO NOT send a clearance document at 1pm and expect same day clearance. Please get your clearance letters in as soon as possible. It does take time for the process to work and we want your cleared player to be able to play!

SCENARIO 2. The Player is cleared to play and MAY return to play in that game.

• The LHGCL on-site Athletic Trainer has administered the test and evaluation and the player is cleared to play.  She is eligible to return to play, and the League requires no further action.

As with all NEW policies and procedures, it takes time to get everything running smoothly. We do ask that you have patience during this process. It is our goal to put the player’s safety first.  In no case do we want to take away your choice to seek outside medical attention for any injury including concussion/head injuries.

Additional Resources for Coaches, Parents, Referees and Players.

Q: My Player was evaluated at the field and told she can NOT return to play. What do I do now?

A: Seek further Medical attention from a licensed Physician or Neuropsychologist. If you do not have one, please contact Baylor Scott & White and they can assist you in finding one: (214) 818-2534. 

Q: Our physician has cleared our player. What do we need to do next?

A: You must have your Physician or Neuropsychologist sign the Clearance Letter and email or fax it to:

Kendall Goldberg MLA ATC LAT

Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation

Outpatient Services- SportsHealth

kgoldberg@bswrehab.com
(717) 412-9175 fax

Your clearance letter will be verified by Baylor and we (LHGCL) will be notified within 24 hours. Once we receive notification from Baylor Scott & White that your player is Cleared, we will remove her restriction in GotSoccer and she will be allowed to return to competitive play.
DO NOT SEND YOUR CLEARANCE LETTER TO THE LEAGUE FIRST. IT WILL DELAY YOUR CLEARANCE PROCESS. PLEASE NOTE THE DEADLINES FOR RECEIPT OF YOUR CLEARANCE LETTER: 1:00pm the day prior to a weeknight game and Thursday at 5:00pm for all Weekend games.

Q: I don't have medical insurance and can not afford to go to the doctor.

A: Please contact Baylor Scott & White. There are resources available for certain financial scenarios to get your player care. (214) 818-2534 

Q: Do I have to use a Baylor Scott & White Physician or Neuropsychologist?

A: No. Though Baylor Scott & White has an excellent staff of Physicians and Neuropsychologists that specialize in Sports Head Injuries, you are free to use your own network of Physicians to seek Medical care for your player.