N.S. panel looking at ways to prevent injuries in school sports
Nova Scotia's education minister has tasked a panel of sports administrators, experts and athletes with examining safety in school sports after high school rugby was abruptly cancelled in the province earlier this year due to safety concerns, before being reinstated.
The 17-person panel will look at ways to promote safety and prevent injuries, including concussions, according to a release Monday from the Department of Education. It said that will involve looking at legislation, policies and practices related to coaching, training and safety protocols.
The group has met twice so far and will convene two more times before reporting back by Aug. 31.
The department and the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation committed to looking into safety in May, the week after the federation abruptly stopped sanctioning rugby, briefly halting the high school sport's season.
Top doctors and some sports health professionals in the province swiftly questioned the sudden cancellation, and student athletes across the province protested. Minister Zach Churchill ordered the decision be reversed within a day.
Members of the panel include:
Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health
Sue Taylor-Foley, executive director of education innovation, programs and services, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Michelle Aucoin, director of provincial services, Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
Jamie Ferguson, CEO of Sport Nova Scotia
Karen Furneaux, athlete representative
Dr. John Gillis, emergency physician
Jennifer Heatley, project executive for health promotion, Department of Health and Wellness
Paul Hunter, director of development, Rugby Canada
Dave Jones, regional executive director of Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education
Stephen MacNeil, chair of board of governors, Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation
David Napier, president of Basketball Nova Scotia
Gerry Post, executive director of Accessibility Directorate
Jennifer Russell, executive director of Atlantic Collaborative on Injury Prevention
Lori Sigfridson, Tri-County Regional Centre for Education and president of Physical and Health Education Canada
Shaquille Smith, athlete representative
Carolyn Townsend, director of communications and strategic relations, Sport Nova Scotia
Amy Walsh, executive director of Hockey Nova Scotia
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