Australian sports technology company SWAARM Global has commented on the AFL's unveiling of its first ever Australian Football Headgear Standards.
SWAARM Global produce headgear for Australian Rules football, worn most famously by Kangaroos half-back Caleb Daniel, and have been conducting helmet and headgear testing for more than 16 years.
In a detailed report, several details of the headgear requirements and its overall purpose are listed.
"The objective of the Basic Headgear Standard is to provide Australian Football players with
headgear that may reduce the magnitude of force and head acceleration associated with
head impacts, the likelihood and severity of sports-related concussion, and the occurrence
of superficial head injuries (e.g. cuts and abrasions), which may occur during participation in Australian Football games and training sessions," one section of the report reads.
However, the AFL's standards will not be mandated, and the league has acknowledged it only meets a minimum requirement for head protection.
SWAARM Global CEO Simon Austerberry says this approach is an issue, though he recognised the importance of the AFL's first steps in the area.
"We welcome the AFL taking its first formal step toward headgear standards, and that matters," Austerberry said.
"But it's important to be clear. These standards don't tell players or parents how well a piece of headgear performs. They only confirm it meets a baseline.
"When it comes to reducing concussion risk, minimums simply aren't enough.
"[The goal] should be to deliver the best possible protection available anywhere in the world."
Daniel expressed the importance of going above and beyond to reduce risk of head knocks. The 29-year-old has worn headgear since the age of six, encouraged by his mother, a nurse, to prioritise head protection.
“I switched to SWAARM's headgear last year knowing it was the best out there,” Daniel said.
“In contact sport you're going to get head knocks, so why wouldn't you try to reduce the risk by wearing high performing headgear. It's a no brainer for me.
"I've never gone without it. It's just part of my kit. Like putting your mouthguard in or pulling on your boots."
The AFL's introduction of headgear standards follows the inception of a 21-day minimum return-to-play period for community footballers who suffer concussion, while AFL players have a minimum 12-day, three-stage break.
Several AFL players have been medically retired due to concussion in recent years, including Angus Brayshaw, who commonly donned headgear during AFL matches.
