Governance
Concussion Guidelines for Kickboxing GB
27 September. 2024
The rules surrounding the minimum suspension periods following a head injury during a competitive bout are outlined in WAKO’s official medical rules document, which can be accessed here:
https://wako.sport/.../04/WAKO-Medical-Rules-v3-30012021.pdf
It is crucial for all coaches to familiarise themselves with these protocols. The suspension periods are applicable not only during competitions but also in instances where a knockout or concussion occurs during training or even in unrelated activities (e.g., if the coach is informed that their fighter has suffered a concussion or knockout while participating in another sport).
Club coaches bear a duty of care to their athletes, and it is your responsibility to report any incidents of concussion to the National Federation (i.e., Kickboxing GB). Kickboxing GB is, in turn, responsible for ensuring that all knockouts and concussions are reported to the International Federation, WAKO IF.
The suspension periods following concussions are as follows:
• Concussion without loss of consciousness: The athlete is restricted from training or competing for 30 days.
• Loss of consciousness lasting less than one minute: The athlete is restricted from training or competing for 90 days.
• Loss of consciousness lasting more than one minute: The athlete is restricted from training or competing for 180 days.
Please note that these suspension periods represent the minimum duration and cannot be shortened, even if a head scan or other tests show no visible injuries. After the mandatory medical restriction period, the kickboxer must provide medical clearance (a new medical certificate) through the National Federation, confirming their fitness to compete.
The medical clearance must be written in English and include the date of the brain CT or MRI scan, along with a confirmation that the results were negative. A copy of this clearance must be submitted to WAKO's Medical, Health & Anti-Doping Committee in order for the kickboxer to participate in future WAKO events.
In addition to WAKO’s concussion management policies, we would also like to highlight the UK government’s concussion guidelines, which now apply across all grassroots sports.
The UK grassroots protocol emphasises a safety-first approach with the guideline: “If in doubt, sit them out.” This means that anyone suspected of having sustained a concussion should be immediately removed from play and is not permitted to return to sport within the first 24 hours.
The graduated return to play process begins with increasing tolerance for both mental and physical activity (e.g., a return to work or light, non-contact training). If symptom-free after 14 days, full training can be considered.
Athletes may return to competition no earlier than 21 days post-injury, provided they have been symptom-free both at rest and during full training for at least 14 days.
During the graduated return process, medical advice should be sought via NHS 111 if symptoms worsen or fail to improve within 14 days. Anyone experiencing symptoms beyond 28 days must stay out of sports and seek further medical advice from their GP.
For an overview of the protocol, please refer to our educational hub:
https://www.kickboxinggb.com/Educ.../Concussion%20Guidelines
In addition to the educational content on our website, we highly encourage all coaches to familiarise themselves with concussion recognition and the appropriate responses to suspected cases.
The UK Coaching platform offers excellent resources on concussion management, safe practice, and a coach’s duty of care. They also provide a Sports England-funded digital badge that focuses on key areas such as diversity, inclusion, mental health and well-being, physical well-being, safeguarding, and safe practice:
https://www.ukcoaching.org/concussion
We kindly request all club coaches to ensure this vital information is communicated to your staff and members.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Gordon Mitchell
KBGB Welfare Director
https://wako.sport/.../04/WAKO-Medical-Rules-v3-30012021.pdf
It is crucial for all coaches to familiarise themselves with these protocols. The suspension periods are applicable not only during competitions but also in instances where a knockout or concussion occurs during training or even in unrelated activities (e.g., if the coach is informed that their fighter has suffered a concussion or knockout while participating in another sport).
Club coaches bear a duty of care to their athletes, and it is your responsibility to report any incidents of concussion to the National Federation (i.e., Kickboxing GB). Kickboxing GB is, in turn, responsible for ensuring that all knockouts and concussions are reported to the International Federation, WAKO IF.
The suspension periods following concussions are as follows:
• Concussion without loss of consciousness: The athlete is restricted from training or competing for 30 days.
• Loss of consciousness lasting less than one minute: The athlete is restricted from training or competing for 90 days.
• Loss of consciousness lasting more than one minute: The athlete is restricted from training or competing for 180 days.
Please note that these suspension periods represent the minimum duration and cannot be shortened, even if a head scan or other tests show no visible injuries. After the mandatory medical restriction period, the kickboxer must provide medical clearance (a new medical certificate) through the National Federation, confirming their fitness to compete.
The medical clearance must be written in English and include the date of the brain CT or MRI scan, along with a confirmation that the results were negative. A copy of this clearance must be submitted to WAKO's Medical, Health & Anti-Doping Committee in order for the kickboxer to participate in future WAKO events.
In addition to WAKO’s concussion management policies, we would also like to highlight the UK government’s concussion guidelines, which now apply across all grassroots sports.
The UK grassroots protocol emphasises a safety-first approach with the guideline: “If in doubt, sit them out.” This means that anyone suspected of having sustained a concussion should be immediately removed from play and is not permitted to return to sport within the first 24 hours.
The graduated return to play process begins with increasing tolerance for both mental and physical activity (e.g., a return to work or light, non-contact training). If symptom-free after 14 days, full training can be considered.
Athletes may return to competition no earlier than 21 days post-injury, provided they have been symptom-free both at rest and during full training for at least 14 days.
During the graduated return process, medical advice should be sought via NHS 111 if symptoms worsen or fail to improve within 14 days. Anyone experiencing symptoms beyond 28 days must stay out of sports and seek further medical advice from their GP.
For an overview of the protocol, please refer to our educational hub:
https://www.kickboxinggb.com/Educ.../Concussion%20Guidelines
In addition to the educational content on our website, we highly encourage all coaches to familiarise themselves with concussion recognition and the appropriate responses to suspected cases.
The UK Coaching platform offers excellent resources on concussion management, safe practice, and a coach’s duty of care. They also provide a Sports England-funded digital badge that focuses on key areas such as diversity, inclusion, mental health and well-being, physical well-being, safeguarding, and safe practice:
https://www.ukcoaching.org/concussion
We kindly request all club coaches to ensure this vital information is communicated to your staff and members.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Gordon Mitchell
KBGB Welfare Director
Board approves change to membership policy
02 January. 2024
On 12th December 2023, the board of Kickboxing GB approved a change to the National Federation's membership policy, which can be downloaded from our governance page at https://www.kickboxinggb.com/Governance/downloads/. In addition to adding clarity around what constitutes a properly constituted club, the membership policy recognises that Kickboxing GB has formally adopted the UK Anti-Doping rules. Going forward, all members, upon becoming licensed by Kickboxing GB, agree to be bound by these rules and to cooperate with code-compliant anti-doping investigations and proceedings.
Affiliated clubs registering on rsportz solely for WAKO competitions also agree that their athletes and support personnel will be bound by the UK Anti-Doping rules for a period of 12 months from the start of the licence or from the date of the relevant competition. The change in our policy evidences our adoption of the UK Anti-Doping rules and is part of the ongoing work to ensure Kickboxing GB is compliant with UKAD’s assurance framework.
The assurance framework assists Kickboxing GB in maintaining a comprehensive set of steps that will mitigate the risk associated with doping in the sport of Kickboxing. Compliance with the policy not only cements our commitment to maintaining a clean sport but is also a condition of eligibility when it comes to seeking any public funding.
For more information on UK Anti-Doping Rules, visit our website at https://www.kickboxinggb.com/Education/Anti-Doping/.
Affiliated clubs registering on rsportz solely for WAKO competitions also agree that their athletes and support personnel will be bound by the UK Anti-Doping rules for a period of 12 months from the start of the licence or from the date of the relevant competition. The change in our policy evidences our adoption of the UK Anti-Doping rules and is part of the ongoing work to ensure Kickboxing GB is compliant with UKAD’s assurance framework.
The assurance framework assists Kickboxing GB in maintaining a comprehensive set of steps that will mitigate the risk associated with doping in the sport of Kickboxing. Compliance with the policy not only cements our commitment to maintaining a clean sport but is also a condition of eligibility when it comes to seeking any public funding.
For more information on UK Anti-Doping Rules, visit our website at https://www.kickboxinggb.com/Education/Anti-Doping/.
Kickboxing GB Adopts UK Anti-Doping Rules
20 September. 2023
On Friday, 8th September 2023, the Kickboxing GB Board officially approved the adoption of the UK Anti-Doping Rules. This significant step is part of our continuous commitment to align with the mandatory requirements outlined within UK Anti-Doping’s assurance framework. This framework serves as the primary mechanism through which Kickboxing GB, as a National Governing Body, demonstrates its dedication to upholding anti-doping responsibilities, ensuring compliance with the government's UK National Anti-Doping Policy.
But why is this move so crucial? Beyond the fundamental goal of maintaining the integrity of our sport, joining the UKAD framework is a prerequisite for sports aiming to secure public funding. Moreover, it's an essential criterion for membership within the British Olympic Association. In essence, our commitment to Anti-Doping places us on the direct path towards Olympic readiness.
But why is this move so crucial? Beyond the fundamental goal of maintaining the integrity of our sport, joining the UKAD framework is a prerequisite for sports aiming to secure public funding. Moreover, it's an essential criterion for membership within the British Olympic Association. In essence, our commitment to Anti-Doping places us on the direct path towards Olympic readiness.
