Health and Safety

Mass Elite Athletic Trainers are provided by Mass General Brigham.

Mass Elite makes every effort to have athletic trainers present at most Mass Elite practices and tournaments. (Tournament directors of non-Mass Elite events are responsible for providing athletic trainers at their events.) Athletic trainers specialize in and are responsible for on-field coverage. The trainers will also help Mass Elite coaches make “return-to-play” decisions.

Mass General Brigham Sports Medicine delivers top-notch, comprehensive sports medicine care from a world-class team of experts, with the ability to network, connect and research with professionals across a nationally recognized healthcare system. The athletic trainers fully integrate themselves into the high school systems to provide the best sports medicine care possible.

All parents and players are strongly encouraged to review and understand the information concerning concussions and the protocol in addressing, treating and managing the same, as outlined in the CDC Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports Program, https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/index.html.

If a player exhibits or reports the following signs or symptoms resulting from a bump, blow or jolt to her head or body, the same may be evidence of a concussion sustained by the player:

OBSERVED CONDITIONS OF THE PLAYER:

1. Appears dazed or stunned;
2. is confused about assignment or position;
3. forgets an instruction;
4. is unsure of game, score, opponent;
5. moves clumsily;
6. answers questions slowly;
7. loses consciousness, even if briefly;
8. shows mood, behavior, or personality changes;
9. cannot recall events prior to hit or fall;
10. cannot recall events after hit or fall.

PLAYER REPORTS THE FOLLOWING:

1. headache or pressure in the head;
2. nausea or vomiting;
3. balance problems or dizziness;
4. double or blurry vision;
5. sensitivity to light;
6. sensitivity to noise;
7. feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy;
8. concentration or memory problems;
9. confusion;
10. just not “feeling right” or is “feeling down”.

If, as a result of a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body of a player, the player loses consciousness, 911 should be called immediately. Under any of the circumstances above, and if the player did not lose consciousness, the player should be seen by appropriate medical professionals. Players may not return to practice unless and until they have been evaluated, treated, if necessary, and cleared by the medical professionals to resume participation.

Quarantine is no longer required or recommended for players and staff regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. All exposed individuals may continue to attend programming as long as they remain asymptomatic.

Players and staff who test positive must isolate for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free, without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, they may return to programming after Day 5 and should wear a mask (if event is indoors) through Day 10.

If the individual has a negative test on Day 5 or later, they do not need to mask.  If the individual is unable to mask, they may return to programming with a negative test on Day 5 or later.

Symptomatic individuals can remain in the program if they have mild symptoms, or a test is negative. Best practice would also include wearing a mask, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved. For symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test within 48 hours if the initial test is negative.

If the symptomatic individual cannot be tested immediately, they should be sent home and allowed to return to their program if symptoms remain mild and they test negative, or they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are resolving, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. A negative test is strongly recommended for return.

In the event a player sustains an illness or injury at a practice or an event, which such injury or illness requires the player to seek subsequent medical attention, such player should not return to play under any circumstances until the player has been granted clearance by the player’s medical provider. If a player is cleared to play but with restrictions or limitations, the player or her parents must send an email to meredithefrank@gmail.com or carla.farkes@gmail.com detailing the restrictions or limitations prior to the player’s participation at a practice or an event. Any player who appears at a practice or an event with the intention of playing, who previously has not advised of any restrictions or limitations to her play, will be presumed to be in good physical condition capable of full participation.