We are thrilled to announce a new official partnership with Brookes Sport.
Our aim of the partnership is to work alongside Brookes Sport to raise awareness of concussion within sport.
Concussion in sport has been hot in the headlines recently, with incidents in cricket and football highlighting the issue around the understanding of the risks of concussion, and the measures needed to protect players.
Calls to introduce temporary concussion substitutes, independent doctors and increase the time taken to conduct assessments following a head injury have been strongly supported by Oxford Head Injury Services.
George Amphlett, a student at Oxford Brookes University, has sustained multiple concussions over the last year whilst playing rugby.
The injuries left 20-year old George with temporary blindness in his left eye.
Thankfully, his sight has since returned, but he has had to retire from rugby and completely stop participation in all contact sport.
Our new partners, Brookes Sport, provide recreational and competitive sporting and leisure opportunities for Oxford Brookes and the community.
As well as raising awareness of concussion, Brookes Sport will be fundraising for Oxford Head Injury Services through a variety of exciting events throughout the year, such as taking part in a charity Tandem Skydive and Inflatables 5K.
Oxford Head Injury Services’s Chief Executive, Jamie Miller, said: “I am absolutely thrilled that Brookes Sport has chosen Oxford Head Injury Services to be their charity partner.
“Concussion in sport is an issue that is gradually receiving more attention by forward thinking sporting bodies. We hear and see the precautions being taken in the world of Rugby and motorsport for example.
“Oxford Head Injury Services’s message is, life is definitely for living so pursue your interests and heighten your life experiences through exciting sports but ensure that whilst doing so, you arm yourself with both the knowledge of the risks and the best possible equipment to minimise the likelihood of potentially life changing injury.
“This partnership and subsequent campaign will encourage exactly that”.
Keith Kelly, Director of Sport, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile charity, and one that resonates so well with a number of our students.
“Every year our student sports clubs impress us with their efforts towards carrying out fundraising and charitable events, as well as offering support within the local community. We’re therefore very excited to be able to collectively direct some of their efforts towards Oxford Head Injury Services.”
The money raised will go towards supporting a number of Oxford Head Injury Services’s services such as the newly developed Activity and Rehabilitation Centre, which helps clients to live as independently as possible through learning new skills.
The charity, which has been supporting brain injury survivors and their loved ones for more than 20 years, heavily relies on community and corporate fundraising to enable the continuation of such vital services.
For more information about how to support Oxford Head Injury Services, or to learn more about the services available, visit: www.headwayoxford.org.uk.
Brookes Sport has a whole range of activities, sports and opportunities for everyone, no matter whether you are looking to take up a new sport, get fit, or simply relax. You can find out more information about Brookes Sport here: www.brookes.ac.uk/brookes-sport.
