During the NWHL’s bubble season in Lake Placid, the League is partnering with the Headway Foundation on programs in support of concussion awareness.
Headway Foundation’s 5th annual Concussion Awareness Week begins Jan. 29, coinciding with the NWHL’s bubble season running from Jan. 23 – Feb. 5. NWHL game officials will wear Headway Foundation helmet stickers during games to promote player safety. All NWHL players will receive Headway bracelets in support of being “New Tough,” which is the foundation’s message highlighting the mental toughness it takes to handle concussions properly. This encourages athletes to report symptoms, support teammates, and play smart.
“We are thrilled to partner with the NWHL for our fifth annual Concussion Awareness Week, and are grateful for the league’s ongoing commitment to player safety,” said Headway Foundation co-founder and former Yale Hockey player Paige Decker. “The NWHL’s leadership sets an important example for young girls and boys to always put their brain health first, and for teams to create an environment where players feel comfortable reporting concussion symptoms, supporting teammates and playing the game smart.”
Toronto Six goaltender Sam Ridgewell was a Headway representative during her collegiate career at Merrimack and will serve as the foundation’s rep for the NWHL expansion team debuting this season. The other Headway Foundation player representatives are Victoria Hanson and Briana Mastel (Boston Pride), Carly Jackson (Buffalo Beauts), Taylor Marchin (Connecticut Whale), Rebecca Morse (Metropolitan Riveters), and Allie Thunstrom (Minnesota Whitecaps).
“Headway does phenomenal work in spreading awareness around concussions, and they provide resources so players and coaches learn the signs of concussions and receive proper treatment,” said NWHL Deputy Commissioner Michelle Picard, a former player for the Metropolitan Riveters and U.S. National Team. “The NWHL is happy to take part in creating a better future for all athletes. Together, we can all become #NewTough.”
In its work with the NWHL and throughout Concussion Awareness Week, Headway hopes to build on its impact on 11,000 athletes during last year’s event. Professional, college, high school, and youth teams will come together in creating a new way of looking at toughness.
The purpose of Headway’s Concussion Awareness Week is to promote a safer sports culture – providing a voice for athletes to share on their platforms and unite in creating a positive shift in approach to concussions. “New Tough” urges athletes to report possible concussion symptoms right away and be patient during recovery, encourage teammates to seek help and offer support while they heal, and always play the game within the rules by avoiding hits from behind and to the head and neck area.
Headway encourages an athlete-to-athlete, peer-to-peer approach during the event, providing those the opportunity to serve as leaders to hopefully have a positive influence on current and future generations of athletes. Throughout awareness week, athletes will sign the New Tough Pact on social media, challenge their peers to do the same, and compete against friends in educational games focused on concussions.
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