The Ontario Soccer membership continues to focus on a safe Return to Play this summer and fall.  Given the focus on the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to draw attention to a recent change by the Government of Ontario, regarding Rowan’s Law and implementation of concussion management legislation for amateur sport.

Ontario Soccer has previously communicated updates through bulletins on Rowan’s Law Requirements, Concussion Policy and Rowan’s Law Implementation.

As a reminder, on July 1, 2019, Phase 1 implementation of Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety) came into effect. The Government of Ontario’s use of Rowan’s Law “phases” is not to be confused with the current COVID-19 Ontario Soccer Return to Play Phases.

This July 2020 would have marked the effective date for implementation of Phase 2 of the Rowan’s Law legislation, which requires sport organizations to establish Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocols for its athletes.

As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ontario government has made the decision to postpone the effective date of Phase 2 implementation of Rowan’s Law from July 1, 2020 to January 1, 2021.

This extension will give sport organizations additional time to implement these requirements and dedicate the necessary capacity and resources to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak at this time.

Only the effective date of Phase 2 implementation of Rowan’s Law is being changed. All requirements related to the protocols in the legislation and regulation will remain the same. Any work already completed by your sports organization in preparation for Rowan’s Law Phase 2 implementation will assist you in meeting your organization’s obligations under this government legislation. Sport organizations are welcome to implement the Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocols in advance of the proclamation date on a voluntary basis. 

As communicated previously, according to the Government of Ontario, the purpose of Rowan’s Law legislation is to promote a culture change in the area of concussion management in sport and make participation safer. There are no enforcement or monitoring provisions in Rowan’s Law.

It is up to entities and individuals to ensure that they comply with the laws of Ontario.

If an organization does not comply with the laws of Ontario, then the organization assumes any liability risk associated with non-compliance.

Visit OntarioSoccer.net for more information on Rowan’s Law Requirements and more information on Concussions and Concussion Management.

Visit the Government of Ontario website for more information on Rowan’s Law.

If you have any further questions, please contact Ontario Soccer.