Sporting organisations say they are implementing safety procedures to keep children particpating in sport, as concerns of head injuries grow among parents. 

New research shows one in four children are being pulled out of contact sports due fears their child will suffer concussion injuries. 

Primary school sports coordinator Ciaran Allsop worries pulling kids out of sport can cause detrimental psychological issues in the future.

“I think [sport] is crucial for any kid, it gives them the social skills to deal with a bit of adversity in team situations,” he says.

“Parents that are pulling their kids from [sport] are not allowing them to get the opportunity that other kids have.”

Mr Allsop says his school has different programs and procedures aimed at properly educating, preventing and recognising injuries such as concussion.

“Our college has a really strong and well-worded policy about concussions, so parents know the protocols.

“We offer an inclusive sport program for boys that purely cannot be in a contact sport, but it is also on offer for some boys that have genuine anxiety around contact sport.”

Mr Allsop says the media coverage on concussion at the professional level has increases parent’s worries on head injuries.

“When someone gets concussed it’s not a good look but a lot of these are athletes trying to perform at the top level, these things can happen, but I think the media can try and press it in a more educative way.”

Callum Rogers is the president of the Manning football club and believes in order for children to feel safe while playing football, the club has to take education around concussion seriously.

“We take full advantage of training opportunities for our coaches and managers to make sure that all match day officials are educated and informed on the symptoms and signs of concussion.”

He says the safety of all footballers is the club’s top priority.

“Any symptom, such as dizziness or unconsciousness is taken seriously and proper precautions are taken in order for young athletes to be as protected as can be.”

Elle Murdock is looking to enrol her three-year-old son in sport in the next year. She says she has concerns around the inevitability of head injuries.

“There’s no guarantee that they’re not going to copy what’s on TV. Kids will be kids at the end of the day, you can put procedures in place, but you know what kids are like.”

However, she understands how important it is for children to be involved in sport.

“Sport creates a sense of belonging, a sense of community, working together with other people, making friends and staying healthy. These are all good aspects,” she says.

Ms Murdoch believes the responsibility is on the sports organisations to educate parents so they can teach their children.

“It would be beneficial if a sport club had an information night on head injuries and a consistent message to parents and parents to children.”