Basketball Manitoba today announced details on a new safety rule introduced for all levels of basketball effective immediately. As of April 1, 2011, all players competing in a sanctioned school or club basketball game will be required to wear a CSA approved safety helmet. An additional requirement for players under the age of 14 will see a full face mask attachment to the helmet. This change comes after extensive research on a recent spike in head related injuries. Unlike when hockey introduced its helmet rule in 1979, there will not be a 'grandfathering' consideration allowing current players to opt out of the new requirement. The change affects all levels of play including school, club, university and college basketball. For an illustration of the new certified basketball helmets...
Basketball Manitoba Executive Director Adam Wedlake commented, "We have seen a spike in head injuries around basketball for some time now. By adding this new safety component to the game, this will solve the issue on day one, just like it has in hockey and football."
The change came after a in-depth study performed by consulting firm Yad,
Sloof and Lirpa who concluded by adding a new helmet rule to basketball will result in an instant elimination of head and neck injuries.