The Australian government has committed $12.5 million in funding to tackle the effects of concussions and educate young people about their risks. This initiative follows a powerful appeal from rugby league legend Wally Lewis, who, after being diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in 2023, has campaigned for greater awareness and support for this debilitating condition. CTE, a dementia linked to repeated head injuries, significantly alters personality and cognitive functions.
The funding will enable Dementia Australia to launch a pilot support program for individuals suffering from CTE, alongside an educational initiative aimed at increasing awareness of the implications of head injuries within schools. Federal Sport Minister Anika Wells emphasised that the goal is not to discourage children from participating in contact sports, but rather to foster an environment where they can engage in activities safely and confidently.
In recent years, sports-related concussions have emerged as a pressing concern in Australia, with approximately 1,600 young people aged 5 to 24 admitted to hospitals for such injuries during the 2021-22 period. Lewis echoed the need for a shift in perceptions surrounding head injuries in sport, highlighting the importance of recognising the serious consequences they can cause.