In honour of the 17-year old girl who lost her life to repetitive head trauma in sports, today marks Rowan’s Law Day.
Who is Rowan?
Simply put as a keen and competitive athlete, Rowan Stringer loved to play rugby. She was the captain of her high schools team after all. Tragically, in May of 2013, the her this athletic star burned out as her life was taken as a result of injuries sustained during her rugby games. Rowan played in a game just a week before her last where she was hit hard more than once. Her concussions, unreported, would severely damage the 17-year old’s brain. In her final game Rowan suffered what is called “Second Impact Syndrome” after head to head impact was made with her still unreported and unhealed injury. Rowan collapsed on the field on May 8, 2013, and died four days later.
Looking forward to being at Queen’s Park today to mark the first #RowansLawDay. I am reminded of the dedication of the members of the Rowan’s Law Advisory Committee, the determination of 3 incredible MPP’s, the unanimity of the Ontario Legislature and of course Rowan. #RowansLaw
— Gordon Stringer (@Rowans_Dad) September 26, 2018
Rowan’s Law Day has been established this year in 2018. It will happen across Ontario on the last Wednesday of September each year. The day has been marked to raise concussion education awareness and to make athletes more mindful on the field.
Here are the OCAA guidelines for student-athletes and coaches concerning possible concussions. #RowansLawDay
1⃣ Education
2⃣ Removal From Sport
3⃣ Return To Learn
4⃣ Return To Sport pic.twitter.com/J7sGkdZsGx— OCAA (@TheOCAA) September 26, 2018
The Ontario College Athletics Association (OCAA) has posted links to material including videos, aimed to raise your knowledge on the safety of your skull.
on December 10th of 2015 legislature was discussed to ensure that athletes, coaches and parents receive better training on recognizing and handling concussions; and that concussion awareness be taught in Ontario schools.
Today, on what twitter is calling #RowansLawDay the OCAA has tweeted this video, mandatory to all student-athletes and coaches in Ontario.
All OCAA student-athletes and coaches are required to watch this video on concussions. You can too! #RowansLawDay https://t.co/i0npLXnUaP
— OCAA (@TheOCAA) September 26, 2018
There are tons of resources available on Concussion awareness education and prevention.
Be sure to play fun and play safe in yet another year of competition.
Today marks the first Rowan's Law Day. In honour of Rowan Stringer, the 17-year-old rugby player whose death resulted from sustaining multiple concussions. Rowan’s Law makes Ontario a national leader in concussion management and prevention. #RowansLawDay #RowansLaw pic.twitter.com/Sg2K1h0pGp
— Dave Smith (@DaveSmithPtbo) September 26, 2018
