USA Hockey’s ‘Team Up Speak Up Week’ begins Sunday

 

By @StefanKubus – 

In an effort to change the culture around reporting concussions, USA Hockey has announced its second annual Team Up Speak Up Week.

Beginning Sunday, Oct. 20 and running through Oct. 26, the Team Up Speak Up movement aims for athletes to tell their team leaders if they notice concussion signs in a teammate. The Concussion Legacy Foundation has provided resources for coaches, players and parents to help communicate the message.

From USA Hockey:

The Concussion Legacy Foundation has created resources for coaches, parents and players, which includes a simple speech with the core message that athletes have a responsibility to report to a team leader if they notice concussion signs in a teammate. The speech includes the following points: we’re a team and teammates look out for each other, a teammate with a concussion needs your help, and I expect you to speak up to a coach, athletic trainer, or team leader if you suspect a teammate has a concussion.

The goal of the campaign is to have that speech delivered to as many young athletes as possible. Coaches, parents and players are encouraged to share the speech given to their teams on social media with the hashtag #TeamUpSpeakUp.

For more information and resources surrounding USA Hockey Team Up Speak Up Week, including video messages from advocates including Amanda Kessel, Max Pacioretty and Jeremy Roenick, visit usahockey.com/teamupspeakup

USA Hockey National Team Development Program coach Seth Appert delivers the Team Up Speak Up speech to the Under-17 team: