Safe attitudes, uncertain implementation: concussion knowledge, attitudes, and confidence among parents and staff in junior community Australian football.

Introduction: Parents and club staff are primarily responsible for recognising and managing concussion in junior community Australian Football (ARF), yet no recent research has examined their knowledge or practices. This study assessed concussion knowledge, attitudes, and confidence among parents and staff in junior (under-16 years) community ARF, and identified management practices and perceived barriers. Methods: An online survey assessing concussion knowledge and attitudes (RoCKAS-ST), confidence, and AFL-specific guideline knowledge was distributed nationally to parents and staff of junior community ARF players. A subsample whose child had a concussion in the previous 12 months completed additional questions on management practices. Closed-ended responses were analysed descriptively and using Pearsons correlation. Open-ended responses underwent qualitative content analysis. Results: Responses (n=223) reflected high general concussion knowledge (76.6% of maximum) and positive attitudes toward safe concussion management (86.8% of maximum), but AFL-specific guideline knowledge was limited (49.8%). Self-reported confidence was not associated with knowledge (r = -0.04) or attitudes (r = .09). Among 58 respondents whose child recently sustained a concussion, medical evaluation (74.1%) and clearance prior to return (60.3%) were common, but graded return-to-play protocol use (50.0%) and club support during recovery (43.1%) were inconsistent. Knowledge gaps (70.4%), cultural attitudes favouring playing through symptoms (29.6%), and inadequate volunteer capacity (29.6%) were most common barriers. Conclusions: Parents and staff in junior community ARF hold safe attitudes toward concussion but lack the sport-specific knowledge, structural support, and resources to translate these attitudes into practice. Targeted, mandated education, and improved support are needed to close this gap.