Head Safe Football

Paving the way with our Trailblazers

Head Safe Trailblazers are innovators. Recognising that brain health is crucial, Head Safe Trailblazers will work within their own footballing community with players of all ages and levels to  protect them from the dangers of CTE and sports related dementia.

Any individual, team, club, academy or foundation can become a Head Safe Trailblazer. What is needed is a commitment to implement Head Safe education and practices.

Head Safe Football will support and honour Head Safe Trailblazers, knowing that their  message of ‘avoiding harm’ will make football safer for everyone who enjoys playing it. Head Safe is a project for everyone who has ever headed a football.

Criteria to become a HeadSAFE trailblazer.

In becoming a HeadSAFE Trailblazer you will become a member of our very own Football United. Our squad of supporters, sponsors, champions and trailblazers are ready to tackle CTE.

  1. Acknowledgement

Acknowledge scientific research evidence demonstrates the link between Repetitive Head Impacts and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

  1. Agreement

Agree that there is a need to reduce heading in training.

  1. Education

Learn about coaching methods, practices and games that provide HeadSAFE education specific to your organisation.

  1. Activity

Design CTE policies and make positive changes to current practices to maintain players’ brain health long into the future.

  1. Enthusiasm

Share knowledge and generate enthusiasm with others about Head SAFE education and practices.

  1. Encouragement

Promote your involvement with Head Safe Football on social media and encourage others to like and share your posts.

  1. Inspiration

Inspire other organisations similar to you to follow in your footsteps and become Head Safe Trailblazers.

  1. Award

Receive your Head Safe Trailblazer award in recognition of your positive contribution to the long term brain health of all football players.

Plymouth Marjon University

Plymouth Marjon University is a trusted partner of Head Safe Football, playing a leading role in shaping best practice for head impact education within sport and education settings.

A true trailblazer who invites us to deliver HeadSAFE education at the university twice each year, ensuring that students consistently receive up-to-date, evidence-informed training. HeadSAFE is now an integral part of the PE teacher training pathway across both the BEd and PGCE programmes, embedding player welfare and head impact awareness into the foundation of future teaching practice.

In addition, HeadSAFE has been delivered as part of the Football Science and Football Coaching & Development degree courses, supporting the development of informed and responsible coaching approaches.

Through this valued partnership, we equip the coaches and PE teachers of the future with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to reduce head impacts, recognise risk, and prioritise player welfare, while still maintaining the highest standards of performance and progression within the game.

“Female footballers often experiencing higher concussion rates and different symptoms, like prolonged headaches and fatigue, compared to men, potentially due to physiological factors like neck strength and hormonal cycles. Recovery can also be slower, with symptoms lingering longer, and neck pain can be a delayed indicator, requiring immediate removal from play and medical assessment for any suspected injury to ensure proper diagnosis and management.”

Head Safe Football Founder and Wife of Bill Gates

Dr Judith Gates

Become A Trailblazer