Cycling Australia puts its head together with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute on HeadCheck concussion app

Cycling Australia (CA) has partnered with the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) to provide access to the concussion recognition and management tool, HeadCheck. 

While concussions are a growing public health issue, recognition of symptoms by parents and officials is still poor. 

Developed by world-leading concussion experts at the MCRI and Melbourne's The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) and in partnership with the AFL, the HeadCheck app helps individuals to recognise the symptoms of a suspected concussion and help measure its seriousness.

The app also provides support for parents during these stressful situations. HeadCheck advises parents about whether and when they need to visit the hospital or their family doctor, guides parents on when it's safe to send children back to school, training and racing and also records the patient's symptoms when parents need to give a medical history.

Cycling Australia's General Manager - Sport, Kipp Kaufmann said, "Cycling Australia is committed to making participation in cycling as safe and enjoyable as possible. Especially for recreation and at the junior sporting levels, cycling is a safe and fun activity and we believe giving parents every extra tool available is another positive step in ensuring safe participation."

Head of Clinical Sciences at MCRI, Professor Vicki Anderson, said, "We know that for many families, jumping on their bikes during lockdown became a fantastic way of keeping active and strengthening family bonds. We encourage everyone to continue cycling and we're happy to 'ride along' in a parent's pocket, just in case."    

CA members, parents, coaches, event organisers and commissaires are encouraged to download the FREE HeadCheck app so that everyone can have access to the best evidence-based child concussion education and advice.

Information on the use of the HeadCheck app is now included as part of the CA coaching courses. 

For more information visit www.headcheck.com.au and download the app from the Apple Store or MCRI podcasts.

Available for interview: 
Professor Vicki Anderson, Head Clinical Sciences, MCRI
Mr Kipp Kaufmann, General Manager - Sport, Cycling Australia

Media Contacts: 
Bridie Byrne
MCRI communications specialist
+613 9936 6211/ 0403 664 416 


About MCRI
The Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) is the largest child health research institute in Australia committed to making discoveries and developing treatments to improve child and adolescent health in Australia and around the world. They are pioneering new treatments, trialling better vaccines and improving ways of diagnosing and helping sick babies, children and adolescents. It is one of the only research institutes in Australia to offer genetic testing to find answers for families of children with previously undiagnosed conditions.

About Cycling Australia
Cycling Australia is the national body responsible for the sport of cycling in Australia as recognised by the International Cycling Union (UCI), the Australian Government through Sport Australia (SA), the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) and Paralympics Australia (PA).