Toronto FC partners with Holland Bloorview Hospital’s concussion clinic

Toronto FC is joining forces with Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s concussion centre on a one-year collaboration involving the Major League Soccer team’s academy players.

The partnership provides Toronto FC the opportunity to learn more about concussions and to ensure its youngsters have access to some of the best minds on the subject. The concussion centre gets a window into a specific group of young athletes.

“In our world these days, concussions are a big part of sport,” said Michael Rabasca, Toronto FC’s director of high performance. “Now they (the concussion clinic) are really able to isolate and start asking and answering questions to those who it affects the most.”

The academy players will provide a comprehensive baseline testing program that includes a computerized neurocognitive test, as well as balance, strength and agility testing. The program will also provide concussion education.

“For us, we get to stay ahead of the curve … with the latest in terms of standards and practice that may not be out in the community just yet,” said Rabasca.

Making an impact

Nanaimo woman publishes books to open awareness of neurodiverse children

8h ago

iconic voice

Legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole, a welcome voice for a half-century, dead at 90

15h ago

first response

New staffing model on Gabriola Island hires local paramedics for enhanced patient care

19h ago

Dr. Nick Reed, co-director of the concussion centre and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, says the partnership represents “a commitment to ensuring a safer game for kids to play.”

The soccer club has its own concussion tests and follow-ups for its academy kids which combined with the concussion clinic protocol and tests. 

The hospital calls its concussion centre one of the first in the world dedicated exclusively to pediatric concussion.

It is estimated that one in five sport-related injuries are concussions. Roughly 200,000 concussions are reported each year in Canada, but the true number is probably higher due to under-reporting.

The partnership just involves the TFC academy players and not the first or USL teams.

“I can tell you because it does happen and because the consequences of not managing it correctly can be career-ending at a minimum to life-altering at a max requires our attention,” said Rabasca. 

“So although this agreement works specifically for the academy, the education, the knowledge that we gain from working with the hospital will extend in some way, shape or form to all of our athletes.”

Taylor Twellman, Davy Arnaud and Alecko Eskandarian are some of the MLS players whose careers have been cut short by head injuries.

“The concussion thing is real,” Arnaud, a former Montreal Impact player, told the Washington Post in March. “You just wish someone had definite answers. That’s the hardest part. You wish someone could tell you to ice something and make it right. Unfortunately, it’s not at that point yet. Hopefully, one day it will be there.”

Toronto winger Daniel Lovitz was sidelined earlier this season with concussion-like symptoms.

Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter

Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press