On 12 May 2013, Rowan Stringer, a bright and vivacious 17 year old rugby player died of Second Impact Syndrome, an injury related to repeat concussions. She was an all-around athlete and captain of her school rugby team, a member of the Barrhaven Scottish RFC, Ottawa. Rowan suspected she was injured, and searched with her friends for information about concussions on their phones, but continued to play anyway.
A coroner’s inquest into Rowan’s death concluded with 49 recommendations across different levels of government and multiple provincial ministries for enhanced concussion awareness and treatment. The coroners recommendations included: making concussion awareness mandatory in Ontario’s curriculum, the promotion of an annual Brain Day awareness campaign, and better tools for coaches and players to identify and treat concussions.
The International Rugby Board and Rugby Canada embraced the recommendations and further enhanced existing concussion protocols, initiating the Recognize & Remove program, ensuring players are cared for and live to compete another day.
However, while there is concussion related legislation in every jurisdiction in the United States and many European nations, Canada has nothing. Hopefully, with the passing of Rowan's Law later this year, Ontario will be the first province to take steps; other provinces have started to take an interest.
Please join the campaign to support Rowan's Law by signing the petition at ROWANS LAW