Myth-busting advice about heading risks sent to clubs

EVERY club in England is set to receive literature which dispels a misconception about the impact of old leather footballs and calls on teams to commit to reduce heading in training.

The flyer, distributed by the Head for Change brain charity as part of their new ‘SAFE’ project, comes amid concerns that new heading guidance could be ignored. The game’s authorities are trusting clubs to adhere to restrictions of 10 high-impact headers a week.

‘Myth: old leather footballs absorbed water and became heavier, so were more dangerous,’ reads the flyer. ‘Fact: today’s balls are waterproof, so stay lighter, but travel faster, so the dangers from heading remain the same.’

Head for Change are offering educational courses for clubs in which they would explain to players and coaches the need to limit heading.

Co-founder Dr Judith Gates said: ‘Education is crucial. The Head for Change SAFE project is an educational programme offered to all clubs.

‘By increasing the knowledge of players, coaches, organisations and communities about sportsrelated brain injuries, it aims to develop thinking and adaptable footballing communities.

‘It asks stakeholders to consider the dangers and minimise the risks. It explodes myths and replaces them with facts.

‘When players and coaches understand the fragility of the brain, together with the long-term reality of living with sports-related dementia, they are more likely to be cautious.

‘When organisations understand their legal “duty of care” responsibilities, they are more likely to ensure that “head safe” policies are implemented.’