Get Concussion Smart with the Coaching Association of Canada

For Immediate Release

OTTAWA (July 17, 2014) – The Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) is pleased to announce that the award-winning Making Head Way in Sport eLearning module is now available at no charge.

Developed as part of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Active and Safe initiative with the involvement of medical experts Dr. Jamie Kissick, Dr. Mark Aubry, and Dr. Charles Tator, this eLearning module is one of a series of eLearning modules and other resources designed to help coaches reduce the incidence of brain injuries in team sports and to improve decision-making about when it is safe to return to play after a head injury. The resources include: the non-sport-specific Making Head Way in Sport module (no charge); sport-specific modules for soccer, football (no charge), snowboard (no charge), freestyle ski (no charge), and speed skating; a concussion IQ quiz, interactive animations that demonstrate what happens to the brain during various types of impact to the body, and real concussion stories from both coaches and athletes that teach us all that no one is invincible from brain injuries.

The cornerstone of these resources is the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) eLearning series titled “Making Head Way”. Available to all coaches in Canada, the Making Head Way eLearning modules are part of the NCCP and have been designed to help coaches gain the knowledge and skills required to ensure the safety of their athletes. Each 60-90 minute online training covers: what to do to prevent concussions, how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion, what to do when you suspect an athlete has a concussion, and how to ensure athletes return to play safely.

The Government of Canada invested $1.5 million in this collaborative initiative, which included the knowledge and expertise from the Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sport, Hockey Canada, and Parachute (formerly ThinkFirst Canada).

“Preventable injury is the leading cause of death for Canadians aged one to 44 years,” said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health. “We know that by working together and leveraging resources, we can reduce the number of unintentional injuries and make a real, tangible difference in the lives of Canadians. I am proud of the work undertaken by the Active and Safe initiative and look forward to continued collaboration on this important issue.”

“Promoting a safe sport and recreation environment is important to our Government,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “We are proud to support Making Head Way and are confident that this initiative will help in the prevention of brain injuries.”

We are extremely pleased to be able to offer the Making Head Way eLearning series at no cost to coaches,” says Lorraine Lafrenière, CEO of the CAC. “Coaches play a key role in injury prevention for children and youth, and through these resources, we are able to train them with the latest and greatest information on brain injuries and prevention.”

The CAC’s Concussion Awareness section can be accessed by visiting www.coach.ca/concussion.

About the Coaching Association of Canada

The Coaching Association of Canada unites stakeholders and partners in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. Through its programs, the CAC empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches.

The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) is the CAC’s flagship program and has been identified as a world leader in coach education. It is currently the largest adult continuing education program in Canada. The CAC is committed to ensuring that all coaches receive training based on best practices in instructional design, ethical decision‐making and with content that is relevant, current and which leads to the development of competent coaches.

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For more information, contact:
Julie Parkins-Forget
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Coaching Association of Canada
613-235-5000, ext. 2382
jforget@coach.ca