Simcoe Curling Club - Rowan's Law

Rowan’s Law

Rowan’s Law was named for Rowan Stringer, a high school rugby player from Ottawa, who died in 2013 from second impact syndrome, a dangerous swelling of the brain that can happen when a second injury occurs before a previous concussion has healed.

In curling, a fall can result in a player striking their head on the ice or on a rock. Because of that risk, every curler and member should have an awareness of concussions by reviewing the Ontario concussion awareness materials and watching the concussion awareness video.

The Rowan’s Law concussion awareness and code of conduct rules came into effect on July 1, 2019. Ontario sport organizations were later required to establish Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocols, with those rules taking effect on January 1, 2022.

What members must do

Under Rowan’s Law, athletes under 26 years of age, parents of athletes under 18, coaches, team trainers, and officials must confirm every year that they have reviewed Ontario’s Concussion Awareness Resources.

Athletes under 26 years of age, parents of athletes under 18, coaches, and team trainers must also confirm every year that they have reviewed the sport organization’s Concussion Code of Conduct. Officials are not required to confirm review of the club’s Concussion Code of Conduct, but they must still confirm review of the Concussion Awareness Resources.

For Simcoe Curling Club activities, participants should review the applicable Ontario concussion awareness material, review any required club concussion documents, and complete the required annual confirmation steps before participating or serving where applicable.

Removal from sport protocol

If a curler falls on the ice surface and there is concern that their head may have made contact with the ice surface, a rock, or another object, the curler must be removed from play immediately and must not resume curling that day.

Where necessary, emergency help should be called right away. Ontario’s regulation requires a designated person to call 9-1-1 if they believe doing so is necessary when a concussion is suspected.

Return to sport protocol

To return to curling, the member must be medically assessed and, where required for unrestricted return, receive medical clearance from a physician or a nurse practitioner.

These resources are for education and awareness only and are not intended to provide medical advice. For concussion symptoms, consult a physician or nurse practitioner.

Forms and annual confirmations

Complete the required annual club confirmation steps after reviewing the applicable Ontario concussion awareness material and, where required, the club’s Concussion Code of Conduct.

Mandatory Ontario concussion codes of conduct. Fillable PDFs for coaches/conveners and participants.

Concussion awareness resources

Ontario provides concussion awareness resources in e-booklet, video, and e-module formats, and participants are required to review one approved format each year if requested by their sport organization.

Ages 10 & under booklet Ages 11–14 booklet Ages 15 & up booklet All official concussion awareness resources

Under Ontario’s guidance, if you are involved in more than one sport, you only need to review one Concussion Awareness Resource format each year, but you must still confirm that review with each sport organization that requires it.

Awareness materials and links

Ontario also provides official awareness materials, including posters and other concussion safety resources, to help sport organizations build awareness and support Rowan’s Law compliance.

Tip: Ontario-linked concussion awareness sites include printable “Hit. Stop. Sit.” and “Signs of a Concussion” posters that can be used around the club to reinforce concussion safety messaging.

Concussion awareness video

This video provides concussion awareness information to help participants, families, coaches, and officials recognize symptoms and understand when activity must stop and medical assessment is needed.