ROWAN'S LAW
Legislative requirements under the implementation of Rowan’s Law by the Government of Ontario.
In accordance with Rowan’s Law, HEO Participants (through their Parent/Guardian), Coaches, Bench Staff, Volunteers are required to submit a signed Acknowledgement Form during registration confirming that they have reviewed the HEO Code of Conduct and the Concussion Awareness Resources at this website www.Ontario.ca/concussions BEFORE that participant can participate in the hockey season.
EDMHA REQUIREMENTS
Please review the Concussion Awareness Resources found below that are appropriate to your age group.
WHAT IS ROWAN’S LAW
In May 2013, 17-year-old Rowan Stringer died as a result of a head injury she sustained while playing rugby with her high school team. In the week prior to her final game, Rowan had been hit twice, and likely sustained a concussion each time. These concussions were not recognized, and she continued to play. When she was hit again in her last game, she suffered what is known as Second Impact Syndrome – catastrophic swelling of the brain caused by a second injury that occurs before a previous injury has healed. Rowan collapsed on the field and died four days later in hospital.
A coroner’s inquest was convened in 2015 to look into the circumstances of Rowan’s death. The coroner’s jury made 49 recommendations for how the federal government, as well as Ontario’s government ministries, school boards and sports organizations, should improve the manner in which concussions are managed in this province.