Leading Canadian Neurosurgeon Credits Rugby Canada's PlaySmart

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Leading Canadian Neurosurgeon Dr. Neilank Jha, the founder of Konkussion whose vision is to revolutionize and redefine the management of concussions, has recommended that the National Hockey League follows Rugby Canada’s player welfare program, Rugby Canada PlaySmart. Jha was featured on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Tuesday and said, “this is the kind of proactive leadership that we need the NHL to take.” “Rugby Canada realizes they’re at a point where their game is growing and they came to our office and said ‘we want to be proactive,’” Jha said. “We’ve mandated education with coaches but we want to take the education to the parents and kids. “If the NHL does that, then the CHL and all the other leagues will follow suit.” Jha’s comments follow recent scrutiny of the NHL and its stance on concussions, after a series of emails were ordered unsealed by a US court in late March. In January, Rugby Canada PlaySmart was launched with the aim to educate players, parents, coaches, match officials and administrators on player welfare with a particular focus on concussion management. Since its launch, and its support of Rowan’s Law, Rugby Canada PlaySmart has received positive feedback from the sports community, including support from World Rugby. To listen to the entire interview, please click here. About Rugby Canada’s PlaySmart Rugby Canada PlaySmart is a Player Welfare program that aims to educate Players, Parents, Coaches, Match Officials and Administrators on the safety of rugby across Canada. The health and safety of every player across the country is of paramount importance and Rugby Canada strives to ensure a safe playing environment at all levels. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that all players are protected by ensuring that the game is played safely. As of February 1st 2016, in the interest of player safety, Rugby Canada will be implementing the Rugby Canada PlaySmart program, which recommends that everyone involved at all levels of the game complete the World Rugby RugbyReady and World Rugby Concussion Management for the General Public modules.