23 March 2017
To Club Captains & RDO’s
Blue Card Concussion Protocol
The Blue Card Concussion Initiative (BCCI) was first trialled by Northland Rugby in 2014. The
positive results and feedback from the rugby community in Northland encouraged NZR to
extend the initiative throughout the country.
In 2016 Canterbury took part in the NZ Rugby trial of the BCCI at U18 level, your club may well
have had players involved in this trial.
New Zealand Rugby has introduced the BCCI to all Mitre 10 Cup unions and advised that it is
mandatory for all adult grades, with the option to extend it to include junior age grades.The
CRFU Board fully endorses the BCCI and has decided to introduce this at U18 level, including
the UC Championship, and all open senior grades in 2017. The official launch date in
Canterbury is 1 April 2017.
The BCCI extends NZR’s player welfare programmes which include compulsory RugbySmart
safe technique training for all coaches and referees at all levels of rugby. This year will also
include a focus on players through the extension of the RugbySmart partnership with ACC.
The BCCI is an “On-Field” process introduced to enhance player safety and welfare. It enables
the referee to initiate a formal process when a player sustains a head and/or concussion or
suspected concussion injury during a match. If the referee believes a player has been
concussed, or suspects a player has been concussed, the referee must show a Blue Card to
that player and that player will be required to leave the playing area immediately. This player
cannot return and play in that match.
A thorough training programme presented by Medical Professionals has been undertaken by Referees.
Referees are required to advise coaches before the game that they are Blue Card trained and the BCCI
will then apply in that match. If any referee has not undertaken training, they are required to advise
coaches before the match so coaches know that the BCCI will not be operating in that game. It is worth
noting that approximately 90% of Referees are currently trained.
If a player receives a Blue Card they should not return to training and must not return to play in
any future match without first meeting the requirements of the graduated return to play protocol.
In situations where a player sustains a head and/or concussion injury at training or such injury is
noticed after a match, team management must adopt normal care and responsibility for player
safety and welfare by implementing the Graduated Return to Play (GRTP) practices and
procedures which are included in this letter.
OFF-FIELD FOLLOW UP PROCESS - REFEREE AND TEAM COACH
Issuing of Blue Card:
1. Identification of concussed player on CRFU official team sheet by noting “BCI” next to players
name.
2. CRFU will forward a letter to the Club/School and player confirming that the player has been
stood down from playing rugby because of a concern regarding concussion. This letter will
outline the procedure to facilitate the player’s return to training and playing.
3. CRFU will enter player and incident details into BCCI Player register, this will enable correct
monitoring of the players involved.
OFF-FIELD FOLLOW UP PROCESS – PLAYER
All players suspected of being concussed should not drink alcohol after the game.
The player must then:
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Rest until there are no on-going symptoms
Complete the minimum stand down period (21 days for adults, 23 days for under 19 players)
Undertake a Graduated Return to Play Protocol
Obtain medical clearance to return to play
There are sanctions that have been set by the CRFU Board across the province for breaches of the Blue
Card Concussion protocol i.e. a player returning to play in advance of the 21/23 day stand down period
and prior to the CRFU receiving a written medical clearance 24 hours prior to returning to play:
1. Loss of 4 Competition points for the game regardless of the result of game; plus
2. The club or school will be fined $500; plus
3. A misconduct charge may be laid against any team official
The Canterbury District Health Board, Pegasus Health and PHO’s have been advised of the BCCI.
Once a player receives a Blue Card it is recommended they seek medical attention within the first 24
hours – this is at their cost. They must obtain a medical certificate to resume play and this must be
submitted to the CRFU 24 hours before scheduled return to play – this will be paid for by the CRFU
I am sure that you and your club will join the CRFU in fully supporting this very important player
welfare initiative. The process will be overseen at the CRFU by Lyndon McKendry. If you have
any questions please contact her either by email - [email protected] or by phone –
027 201 7586.
Kind regards,
Nathan Godfrey
Chief Executive Officer CRFU