Schools are very important. This applies to everyone (obviously) but it's a stepping stone for future athletes. It where one can enhance their game for future recruitment.
On the flipside, it's also where medical conditions can be identified and treated for. However, this can sometimes be skipped and the athlete will suffer multiple setbacks. Case in point - Will Pucovski. The former Aussie batter had to retire at an early age due to ongoing concussions.
He has sought legal action as a result.
Retired Australian cricketer Will Pucovski is suing high profile private school Brighton Grammar over the alleged mishandling of a concussion injury that occurred during a football training session when he was 16.
The incident named in the lawsuit occured in 2014, when Pucovski was knocked unconcious during football training after being accidentally kneed in the head. Speaking at a Lord's Taverners function earlier this year, Pucovski revealed details of the incident.
"I literally got walked to the sidelines and then my only memory was the coach coming up to me and being like, 'Do you want to keep training?'. I am like, 'Yeah'. So I just went and trained for the rest of the day. It is probably the biggest day of my life in a weird way, because I have never felt the same since that day. I went from someone who would do anything and everything, to basically sitting on the couch doing nothing for an extended period."
The International Concussion Society warns of the dangers of missed concussions among young athletes: "The real concern starts when concussions are missed or inadequately addressed. This is particularly important to remember for young athletes and adolescents whose brains haven’t fully matured, which makes them more susceptible to serious brain injuries."
Pucovski, now 28, was allegedly concussed in a tackle during the training session in 2014, and lawyers claim he was allowed to keep training and didn't receive proper medical attention from the elite school in Melbourne’s exclusive Bayside area.
He suffered blurred vision the following day and a week later, he was in hospital.
On Tuesday, News Corp revealed Pucovski’s lawyers filed a statement of claim, alleging Brighton Grammar breached its duty of care. In April 2025, Pucovski officially retired from cricket and said he was still suffering “frightening” symptoms from repeated concussions.
The Victorian last played Sheffield Shield in March 2024, when he was hit on the helmet by a delivery from Tasmania speedster, Riley Meredith. It was the 13th known concussion of his sporting career.
His retirment announcement came following a medical panel’s recommendation. At the time of the retirement, he said he "struggled to get anything done" and "walking around the house was a struggle."
"My fiancee was annoyed because I didn’t contribute to chores. I was sleeping a lot," he said.
"From there it’s been a tough year, a lot of the symptoms didn’t go away, which has led me to this decision. The first few months were horrendous, but things didn’t leave me."
"It’s unfortunately gotten to a stage now where a year or so down the track (I am) still suffering, still don’t really have the answers I have been looking for in terms of why I am still getting these symptoms, and it’s come time to make this decision. When the symptoms are ongoing, it’s pretty frightening."
Pucovski played his only Test in January 2021 against India at the SCG, scoring 62 in the first innings.
He has recently appeared on Channel 7 in a cricket commentary role and is proving to be an emerging star as a presenter. He recently spoke about the football injury at a function at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.
"I got sling tackled into ironically one of my best mate’s knees who was running the other way," he said. "It is probably the biggest day of my life in a weird way because I have never felt the same since that day."
Concussion protocols in sport have rapidly developed over the last 10 years. The ICC first approved concussion subs for use in international cricket in 2019 and Marnus Labuschagne became the first-ever concussion substitute in a Test match in the 2019 Ashes, coming into play after Steve Smith was floored by a Jofra Archer bouncer.
I am appalled by the lack of responsibility that the school took. I support the lawsuit. He could've had a long and prolific career. When a condition isn't treated when it first appears, it'll just get worse and worse; as illustrated above.