Image: Foremost Media.

Motorcycling Australia (MA) is developing a Concussion Working Group alongside FIM Oceania, where it plans to establish education programs and produce guidelines within Australian motorcycle sport.

The Concussion Working Group will work closely with the FIM Medical Commission (CMI) and the federations of the Oceania region to develop policies, provide updates and best practice as developed within the Oceania region to improve rider safety across all disciplines.

The 14 invitees to the inaugural concussion summit included some of the most experienced motorsport doctors – Dr Brent May, Dr Greg Harris and Dr Michael Thumm, along with former EWC champion Steve Martin, former AORC champion AJ Roberts and ISDE world champion Josh Green, plus MX Nationals director Kevin Williams, MA CEO Peter Doyle, and more.

“This was a crucial first meeting for MA on a very complex issue which is why it was important to have concussion experts, riders, promoters and industry in the room to develop guidelines and policies for our sport going forward,” said Doyle.

“Like all sports today we must find ways to keep our riders safe whilst ensuring we educate and support the teams, officials and families that deal with concussion in our sport at each event. We are hopeful that working as a collective group, that strong guidelines and policies can be developed for future MA events and MA championships.”

The meeting focussed on a wide range of areas including defining concussion – specifically within motorcycle sports, trackside medical assessments, care for riders, education for stewards, officials, coaches, teams and reviewing the latest worldwide research and information from Sport Australia.