FAQs

The belief that older leather footballs were more dangerous is a misconception. While they did get heavier when wet, modern footballs are no lighter, as weight regulations haven’t changed for decades. With faster shots and crosses from stronger, fitter players today, the impact force is actually higher. A high-velocity header can be as forceful as a car crash, and professional players may experience thousands of such impacts, especially in training.

The brain sits tethered inside the skull surrounded with fluid. When there is an impact to the skull, the brain moves within the skull. It is the movement within the skull that causes damage and leads to sub-concussions, concussions and other brain injuries. Headgear can provide some protection against cuts and skull fractures, but it cannot stop the brain from moving inside the skull upon impact.

Head for Change is an evidence based sport-loving charity. It is well recognised that physical activity, especially team sports are good for physical and mental health. Rather than stopping, we advocate for making the game safer through better awareness, education, and safety measures to reduce the risk of head injuries and safe return to play.

We understand how overwhelming this diagnosis can be. Head for Change is here to provide support specifically tailored to former sports players. You can also access our kit bags for practical tools and guidance

You can reach out to us via the contact form on our website or by emailing us at [email protected] for more information or assistance.

Heading the ball in football (both in training and in games) has been linked to repeated minor brain traumas, which over time can contribute to the development of dementia and other brain conditions.

Yes, we welcome volunteers to help with fundraising, awareness campaigns, and event support. Visit our ‘Be part of the solution’ page for more details on how to get involved.

While our main focus is on retired athletes, we also offer educational resources and support for current players seeking to protect their brain health and avoid injury.

Parents, clubs, and schools can encourage safe play and look out for potential brain injury symptoms such as dizziness, sensitivity to light, vomiting, or unusual lack of focus that can occur in the days after playing. Make clubs and schools aware of any potential injuries that occurred in other settings, and adhere to the ‘if in doubt, sit them out’ principle. It is also important to recognise that the brain is fragile and that repeated head impacts which do not cause immediate symptoms can carry risk.

Even a single concussion is considered a form of TBI. You don’t need to be knocked unconscious for a concussion to cause lasting effects. The brain can be injured when it’s shaken or impacted, even if you remain conscious.

TBI, or Traumatic Brain Injury, happens when a blow or jolt to the head disrupts brain function. It can be mild (like a concussion) or severe, resulting from sports, falls, or accidents. Immediate medical attention is important for effective recovery.

Head impacts can vary from an impact which does not cause immediate symptoms, to an impact which renders someone unconscious. We now understand that all head impacts pose a potential long term risk and the more that are sustained, the greater the risk of long term problems.

Currently, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) can only be definitively diagnosed after death as the diagnosis is based on the presence of protein deposits in brain tissue, however, it presents as a form of dementia and may be suspected by medical professionals in people with a history of exposure to previous head impacts. Given that we are still learning more about it, many former athletes choose to donate their brains to advance our understanding of this condition. By doing so, they leave a legacy of hope, helping scientists gain deeper insights into how CTE affects the brain and giving us the tools to support future generations better. If you would like to learn more about brain donation and how you can contribute to this vital research, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

CTE is a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated head impacts, often seen in athletes in contact sports. It can lead to cognitive decline, memory problems and mood changes.

Sports clubs can implement safer training protocols which minimise risks of head impacts, educate players on safe techniques and follow guidelines on head injury management and recovery.

Donations fund our support services for families, educational programmes on safe sports practices, and research into brain injuries and dementia prevention in sports.

Yes, donations can be made through our website to help us continue providing vital support and research for those affected by sports-related brain injuries.

There are many ways to get involved: donating, fundraising, volunteering, sponsoring or raising awareness about brain injuries in sport. Visit our ‘Be part of the solution’ page for more information.

We support and collaborate on independent research into the long-term effects of repetitive head injuries in sports, as well as studies on how to improve player safety and brain health.

Early-onset dementia is when dementia symptoms appear before the age of 65. Repetitive head injuries in contact sports, like football and rugby, are increasingly being linked to this condition.

You can reach out to us through our website or email [email protected] directly to learn about available resources and how we can help.

We provide practical, emotional, and educational support, including access to Thrive Mental Wellbeing, Extra Time to Talk meetings, Come Ride with Me, safe sports initiatives within the charity’s education programme and resources for families coping with brain injury-related challenges.

No, we love rugby and football. We want to make sports safer so more people play them. By protecting the players, we can protect the future of the games.

We support players, their families, and children participating in team sports, with a focus on those affected by head impacts and injuries leading to conditions such as CTE, early-onset dementia, and related neurodegenerative diseases. Our work primarily addresses sports such as football and rugby, where head impacts are more prevalent.

Head for Change is a charity pioneering positive change for brain health in sport. We support rugby and football players and their families affected by brain injuries due to repetitive head impacts, and advocate for safer sports practices.