Safety Advisory - Concussion

Kia ora Hockey Whānau,

There has been a critical incident at the Alpine Christchurch rink. A 13-year-old girl suffered a fall while ice skating on a school trip and has tragically passed away. We are deeply saddened by the news and are taking this matter very seriously.

A WorkSafe investigation is currently underway regarding the rink’s policies and procedures. The Board is closely monitoring the investigation, and once it is concluded, we will thoroughly review and update our policies and safety procedures for all public and private sessions, including tournaments, to ensure full compliance with the investigation’s findings.

Inline hockey is a sport we all love, but like many other sports, it carries the risk of injury. Recent events have highlighted the serious consequences of concussions, and I am deeply concerned about this issue.

Concussions can have long-lasting effects on players, impacting more than just their ability to play. The repercussions of concussions extend beyond the rink and can significantly impact a player’s long-term health and well-being. The Board has recognized this issue, and we have prioritized a review of IHNZ’s Concussion Policy.

That process has begun, and an updated draft of our policy is currently with ACC for review. ACC’s panel of experts provide guidance to national sports organizations on concussion policies. We need a best practice concussion policy, so we will listen to ACC. The Board will keep everyone informed as we progress.

Continuing the theme of player safety, the Board has also adopted a ‘Safe Use of Changing Facilities Policy’. It largely follows Sport New Zealand’s model. A key aspect of the policy is the prohibition of any video, still photography, or voice recordings in changing facilities or dressing areas. This measure is important for safeguarding the privacy and dignity of all hockey players, especially children. A copy of the policy is available on our website.

Everyone deserves to be safe.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Asbjorn.