With player welfare a key area of focus in rugby union, Tynedale have announced a new extended partnership with Cognisant which will not only provide concussion support services to their club but also promote overall brain health to players from under-12s up to the First XV.

Cognisant is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company providing support to sports organisations who want to  protect the brain health of their players.

This includes assessment and advice regarding the effects of brain injury (concussion) and, more widely, the promotion of positive mental health. Cognisant provide this service through education, training, and integration of baseline and post-concussion assessments. They also provide specialist clinical services when needed.

Jojo Maddison, Tynedale Head of Physiotherapy told the club website: “We have worked with Dr David Millar and his colleagues for a while now, mainly with the 1^st team squad, and have been overwhelmed by the knowledge and expertise this brings.

“At Tynedale Rugby Club, we have always taken player welfare very seriously, and although we have always had extensive concussion protocols, I am very excited to implement this new progressive partnership. Regardless of age or gender every Tynedale Player involved in the contact game will have access to the best clinical support available in rugby. This initiative doesn’t just provide structured support to my Physiotherapy team to make robust clinical decisions but also gives confidence to the coaching staff and parents that the player’s welfare is at the forefront”.

The partnership will be launching ready for the 2021-2022 season and all players, coaches and parents will be provided with further detail by the club before the new campaign gets underway in September.