We refer to both:
1. the media story presented on Channel 7 (News Story) and communications sent by SASMA to members and community on 14 August 2025 titled ‘CONCUSSION IN SPORT – EVIDENCE ON HEADGEAR – FACT CHECK’ and 19 August 2025 titled ‘CONCUSSION PROTECTION FACTSHEET – INFORMATION FOR SPORTING CLUBS / SCHOOLS / COMMUNITY’ regarding the current medical consensus on the use of protective headgear in preventing or reducing the risks of concussion; and
2. our email(s) to you dated [14th and 19th August] from admin@sasma.com.au and [20th August] from Alex Hendrick of SASMA, attached below as PDF documents.
click here for 14th August email
click here for 19th August email
click here for 20th August email
SASMA is the peak body for sports medicine in SA, delivering education and sideline management across the State for the last 64 years. Our professional members and sports trainers play an important role in supporting a safe sport and active environment in the community. SASMA is funded by the State Government to deliver Community Concussion education across the State.
As you may be aware, representatives of both SASMA and SWAARM Global Pty Ltd (SWAARM) were interviewed in the News Story in relation to the use of protective headgear for the purpose of preventing or reducing the risks of concussion.
Soon after the News Story aired, each of SASMA and SWAARM released their own communications and in SASMA’s case, the fact sheet described above.
SASMA also wrote to members and stakeholders directly, including Mr Hendricks’ email to you dated [20th August].
In that email, Mr Hendrick stated that there had been “some misinformation circulating around headgear and concussion at the moment”… and “[t]he media have shared recent concussion research in this area; the medical experts note that this has not been peer reviewed or field tested, and thus cannot be accepted.”
At the time those communications were sent, SASMA had sought information in relation to a study that SWAARM was undertaking in conjunction with Flinders University but had otherwise not consulted SWAARM or undertaken any review of the research undertaken or the technology implemented by SWAARM in any of its products. SASMA does not consider that it is its role to do so.
In the context of the News Story and the subsequent communications sent by SASMA and in particular the Email, SASMA notes that it relies on the position maintained within:
· the 6th International Concussion Consensus Statement (prepared in 2022);
· the AFL’s “Management of Sport-Related Concussion in Australian Football” (prepared in March 2024);
· the Australian Institute of Sport’s website (date unknown).
SWAARM has since been very clear to SASMA that its position has never been that its products can prevent concussion from occurring, nor has it ever publicly asserted or promoted that is the case. Rather, its position is that their products can reduce the risk of concussion occurring.
SWAARM stands by that position. SWAARM also asserts that the research undertaken and the technology implemented in developing its products is more recent and advanced than the findings set out in the sources relied upon by SASMA. Those are matters for SWAARM.
SWAARM does not represent that its products prevent concussion, nor, that all peak bodies and expert consensus continue to agree that headgear does not prevent concussion.
It is ultimately a matter for the consumer to carefully consider the technical information and representations made by manufacturers in deciding whether to purchase a product. We encourage consumers to consult their Health Care Provider for more information.
SASMA acknowledges that the media story presented by Channel 7 gave the impression that SASMA was being directly asked to comment on products manufactured by SWAARM and that Mr Luke Ivens was then responding directly to SASMA’s responses. It is SASMA’s position that:
· this was not the case;
· all of SASMA’s responses were in reference to headgear generally and were not in specific reference to any products manufactured by SWAARM;
· these two interviews were combined to give the audience the impression that SASMA and Mr Ivens were responding to each other’s statements and that SASMA’s responses were directed at SWAARM products.
SASMA further acknowledges that the timing of the Channel 7 story and the communication sent to members may have given members the impression that the statements in the communication were also directed at SWAARM, SWAARM’s products and/or Mr Ivens. SASMA considers that it was performing its role in providing updates following community contact which is a regular occurrence and part of its State Government Community Concussion Program advocacy work.
SASMA wishes to confirm that the statements were not directed at SWAARM, or its products, or Mr Ivens and it was not intended that the audience receive SASMA’s statements in that manner. SASMA apologises for any unintended impact that this may have had on SWAARM, Mr Ivens or SWAARM’s CEO, Mr Simon Austerberry. SASMA did communicate its concerns to Channel 7 after the story was aired.
SASMA also acknowledges that SWAARM has obtained its own independent testing and relies on that evidence in promoting its products as reducing the risks associated with concussion.
To the extent that the audience may have considered that any statements made by SASMA were suggesting that SWAARM or Mr Ivens promotes its products as preventing concussion, this was not the case or the intention and SASMA wishes to ensure that any misunderstanding in that regard is corrected.
SASMA refers to publications on the following websites:
AIS Website (undated):
“Helmets will not stop concussion from occurring. Current evidence suggests that helmets, mouth guards or other protective wear offer little if any benefit in the prevention of concussion. Research into protective wear is continuing. Protective wear is important, however, for the prevention of other traumatic head injuries such as lacerations, skull fractures and dental injuries.”
AFL website:
The 2017 Community Concussion Guidelines document published on the AFL website states that "There is no evidence that currently available soft-shell headgear reduces the risk of concussion or other brain injuries in Australian Football. Helmets or headgear may have a role in the protection of players on return to play following specific injuries (e.g. face or skull fractures)
Australian Football Headgear Standards
However, in January 2026, the AFL released Australian Football Headgear Standards:
“to establish basic and advanced standards for the development and manufacturing of headgear suitable for Australian football, which may provide protection against sport-related concussion by attenuating the impact force applied to the head and the head’s acceleration…”
AFL Basic Headgear Standard – AFL BHS 2024
Headgear that complies with the Basic Headgear Standard is considered suitable for Australian Football games and training sessions, where the wearer may fall or be struck in the head by another player and head impacts may occur multiple times. The injury prevention performance focus of the Basic Headgear Standard is on reducing i) the magnitude of force and head acceleration associated with head impacts, ii) the likelihood and severity of sports-related concussion…” (page 11)
The protection given by headgear depends on the circumstances and characteristics of the impact(s)… A proportion of the energy of an impact is absorbed by headgear, thereby reducing the impact force applied to the head and the acceleration to the head.”
…
Objective
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 of sports-related concussion… which may occur during participation in Australian Football games and training sessions. (page 11)
AFL Advanced Headgear Standard – AFL AHS 2024
Headgear that complies with the Advanced Headgear Standard is considered suitable for Australian Football games and training sessions, where the wearer may fall or be struck in the head by another player or object, and head impacts may occur multiple times. The injury prevention performance focus of the Advanced Headgear Standard is reducing i) the magnitude of force and head acceleration associated with head impacts, ii) the likelihood and severity of sports-related concussion…” (page 19)
The Advanced Headgear Standard assesses directly the capacity of the headgear to mitigate angular head acceleration and velocity. Angular head acceleration and velocity are considered to contribute to the cause of concussion. …
The protection given by headgear depends on the circumstances and characteristics of the impact(s)… A proportion of the energy of an impact is absorbed by headgear, thereby reducing the impact force applied to the head and the acceleration to the head.”
SASMA welcomes the introduction of those Standards by the AFL.
SASMA
The primary role of SASMA and peak sporting bodies is to ensure that the safety of all participants in contact sport is put first. Also, that the public are well educated in the risks associated with concussion so that they can make informed decisions about those risks, and effective measures are put in place to reduce the incidence of and risks associated with concussion.
We acknowledge research into headgear is evolving and SASMA is committed to sharing the latest information once it is reflected in clinical guidelines, the next international consensus statement in concussion or statewide or national sporting organisation policy. SASMA welcomes future advancements in the prevention and management of concussion, accepting recommendations that helmets before 2024 have not met the required standards and that evidence surrounding headgear manufactured after 2024/2025 is ongoing and has not yet been adopted by the listed sources above and that more research is required in this area.
SASMA’s purpose is to support safe participation in sport and activity, having positive relationships with the sporting sector across the State. We will continue to abide by our constitution, serve and advocate for our members and community. We are proud of the work we do, supported by a passionate volunteer Council, members and staff. We are non-commercially orientated and we are a not-for-profit Association.
SASMA looks forward to performing its role and continuing to work with sporting clubs and schools in 2026, supporting safe participation and delivering the latest sports medicine education across the community.
The SA Sports Medicine Association Council and Staff.