The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has provided mandatory concussion sessions for all schools coaches who are involved in cup competitions.
The focus of the sessions was to identify and manage concussion from a coaches perspective and seven talks took place around the country.
IRFU Provide Concussion Mgt Training for Schools Cup Coaches https://t.co/y5czfzm7df pic.twitter.com/ytb2CPgKwp
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) January 24, 2017
Speaking about the importance of such seminars, IRFU Medical Director Rod McLoughlin said: "These seminars are a proactive initiative aimed at supporting schools coaches with useful information ahead of their Schools competitions.
"If a concussion is suspected the player must be removed. Appropriate management of any concussive injuries is also vitally important as are the return to play guidelines which stipulate a mandatory 23 days out of the game for players under 20 years of age," he added.
Additionally, the IRFU's Referee Performance Manager David McHugh said: "Back in August before the season kicked off we released a series of RefSMART videos which outlined the measures that referees would be taking to address dangerous tackle technique, foul play and the targeting of prone players.
"These measures have been successfully implemented to date and will continue to be a focus across the schools competitions," he added.
Click here for more information on the IRFU's Safe Rugby approach.
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