The trio have joined the Scottish Sports Concussion Advisory Group as athlete ambassadors to help build on over decade of educational programmes that has seen Scotland lead the way on concussion awareness.
In 2015 the Scottish Sports Concussion Guidance was published, it was the first time anywhere in the world that a single set of advice for all grassroots sports was created.
The team of experts behind the guidance includes representatives from Scottish Rugby, Scottish Football Association, the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling and the sportscotland institute of sport.
At the heart of the guidance is the message ‘if in doubt, sit them out’, which has now been adopted as far afield as New Zealand and Australia.
Former Scotland prop and qualified physician Dr Geoff Cross said: “The progress that has been made over the past decade has been groundbreaking and extremely important for anyone taking part in sport.
“The more we are able to ingrain the correct information in grassroots sports the better. By continuing to educate participants, coaches and parents about how to recognise when there is an issue, we will be creating a safer sporting environment.
“We must reinforce the message that it doesn’t make you tough to carry on if there’s been an issue, especially when we are talking about young people.
"We want them to have fun and enjoy the immeasurable benefits the sport brings, but we want them to also be safe.”
The statistics indicate an estimated 50% of sports concussions go unreported, and young people aged between 10 and 19 are the most affected.
The newly appointed ambassadors will continue to help raise awareness of the guidance and the tools needed to identify and mange suspected concussion appropriately.
Dr Stephanie Adams, founder of ConcussED, is an educator contracted by sportscotland to deliver concussion education. Dr Adams is co-chair of the Scottish Sports Concussion Advisory Group alongside Dr Katy Stewart, Managing Director of Hampden Sports Clinic
Dr Adams said: "It’s fantastic to have Geoff, Neah and John on board. Concussion education is a life skill - in and outside of sport.
"We need to start learning about this critical topic from a young age. That's where we can begin to truly shift the culture to respect and protect the brain but also encourage safe, lifelong, sport and exercise participation.”
Double Olympic medallist Neah Evans said: “The lead role Scotland has played in concussion awareness is something we can be proud of, and I’m happy to do what I can to spread the word.
“The best way to drive a culture shift is by ensuring participants are given the necessary information at a young age."
Peter Robinson was a key driving force behind the introduction of the Scottish Sports Concussion Guidance and education programme. Peter’s son Ben was 14 when he lost his life due to second impact syndrome, suffered during a school rugby match.
In 2024 the Scottish Sports Concussion Guidance was updated, with key changes reflecting the latest research advances in sports concussion and its management.
It details the latest recommendations for managing concussion in grassroots sports, from awareness of possible concussion symptoms through to the gradual return to activity and sport.
It is intended for the general public and for individuals participating in grassroots sports, where healthcare professionals are typically not available onsite to manage concussion injuries.
Rangers and Scotland defender John Souttar sustained a concussion while playing in a European Under-21 qualifier for Scotland against Lativa in 2017 and spent a night in hospital.
He said:
“My own experience was a bit scary. I thought I’d been stretchered off but I’ve since seen pictures of me walking off the pitch.
“My return was very carefully managed, and the doctors were great, checking on my symptoms and taking me through the process step-by-step.
“This cause deserves a powerful voice at every level. As ambassador, the focus must be on grassroots awareness, where the real difference is made.”
Find out more
The Scottish sports concussion guidance e-learning module is available for anyone to use and can be found here: If in doubt, sit them out: Grassroots sports concussion e-learning
Further information on the Scottish sports concussion guidance can be found here: Scottish sports concussion guidance - sportscotland the national agency for sport in Scotland
