A local sports physician is pleased with the province's attempt to regulate concussion protocol in youth sports.

 

Dr. Edward Pilat is the education committee co-chair with the Sport Medicine & Science Council of Manitoba. He has reviewed the concussions in youth sport act introduced in the Legislature on Monday, and he says it's a good step in the right direction.

 

 

The act requires coaches of youth athletes to identify concussion symptoms and remove any players suspected to have a concussion from the game. It also requires players to be cleared by a medical professional before returning to play.

The bill does not include any punishment for coaches who don't follow protocol, which Dr. Pilat doesn't think is necessarily a bad thing.

 

 

The act requires sports organizations to adopt ready-to-play protocol for youth athletes who have or are suspected of having sustained a concussion. The law would also apply to school sports.