Concussion in Sport: Maddy Proud

29 October 2024

New South Wales Swifts co-captain Maddy Proud knows only too well how important it is for athletes to correctly manage concussion after coming under friendly fire during a Diamonds test against England in 2022.

"I got an elbow to the face and hit the ground straight away. I instantly knew something wasn’t right," Proud said.

"I was a bit out of it for a few minutes, so I went off and into the changerooms to do a concussion test."

Proud said her symptoms became intense during testing, saying she felt like she was going to throw up when asked to follow a doctor’s finger movement with her eyes.

Following her concussion diagnosis, Proud also experienced persistent headaches, brain fog and fatigue.

She said her Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich played a big role in her recovery.

“My coach was one of my biggest advocates for making sure I took enough time to recover because she knew what I was like when I was at 100 per cent, and she knew I wasn’t there yet.”

"It's funny how your coaches end up being more in tune with yourself than you are."

Australian netballer Maddy Proud during a Diamonds test against England in 2022.

Australian netballer Maddy Proud receiving assistance during a Diamonds test against England in 2022.

Proud is one of a number of athletes who have shared their experience with concussion with the AIS to help educate others about what it’s like to go through the diagnosis and treatment of concussion.

The 2024 AIS Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement has been expanded to provide information and resources for female athletes and para-athletes and athletes with disabilities.

For more information about the 2024 AIS Concussion and Brain Health Position Statement or to learn more about athlete experiences with concussion, visit the concussion in sport website here.