08/06/2026
π§ππ πππ§ππ¦π§ ππππ ππ§ π¦ππππ§π¬ π¨π£πππ§π
Player safety remains one of the APA Board's highest priorities. Following the tragic loss of Alex Harvey, the APA's Helmet Safety Subcommittee has been working hard to evaluate the latest helmet technology and provide members with objective, independent information to help them make informed safety decisions.
π©ππ₯πππ‘ππ π§πππ ππππ ππ§ π§ππ¦π§ππ‘π
As part of this effort, the APA partnered with the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab to independently test the New Derby helmet using its internationally recognized equestrian helmet rating system.
Unlike traditional certifications that simply verify minimum safety standards, Virginia Tech measures how well helmets reduce concussion risk. Helmets receive both a STAR Score (lower is better) and a 0β5 Star Rating.
π‘ππͺ πππ₯ππ¬ ππππ ππ§ π₯ππ¦π¨ππ§π¦
β 1-Star Rating
π STAR Score: 7.05
π
Ranked #53 of 54 helmets tested
The Virginia Tech test results indicate that, among the helmets evaluated, the New Derby provided one of the lowest levels of predicted concussion protection.
While every player must make their own equipment decisions, we believe providing objective, third-party testing allows members to make more informed choices.
For more information on the testing process and ratings - check out these websites:
β’ Virginia Tech Helmet Lab: helmet.bme.vt.edu
β’ Virginia Tech Equestrian Helmet Ratings: https://helmet.bme.vt.edu/equestrian-helmet-ratings.html
π π¦π£πππππ π§πππ‘π π¬π’π¨
This independent testing would not have been possible without the generosity of two members of our polocrosse community.
Sara Cifelli, owner of SC Polocrosse, generously provided the five New Derby helmets needed for Virginia Techβs testing at cost, and APA President Virginia Carpenter Covert personally covered the cost of the helmets.
We are incredibly grateful to both Sara and Virginia for stepping up to make this important research possible. We simply could not have completed the testing without their generosity and commitment to player safety. β€οΈ
π£π₯π’ππ₯ππ¦π¦ πͺππ§π ππππ π’π‘ π§π₯πππ (ππ’π§) ππππ ππ§ π’π£π§ππ’π‘π¦
One of the most encouraging developments has been our partnership with Back on Track.
They are currently working on producing a white Trauma Void helmet prototype specifically for polocrosse. The prototype will soon be tested by APA member, Physician Assistant, and upper-level player Rahul Desai, who will provide feedback and recommendations on adapting the helmet to the unique demands of our sport.
If development continues as planned, we're hopeful that white Back on Track Trauma Void helmets will be available later this year.
Here's a link to Back on Track's helmets and helmet resources: https://backontrackusa.com/collections/riding-helmets
We also encourage the entire polocrosse community to support Back on Track for stepping up to invest in the future of our sport and player safety. They have all kinds of therapeutic products for horses and humans in addition to their outstanding line of helmets.
ππ’π‘π’π₯ππ‘π ππππ« πππ₯π©ππ¬
Most importantly, we never want to lose sight of why this work began. Everything we've accomplished has been inspired by the memory of Alex Harvey.
We encourage our members to support the Alex Harvey Foundation and the Georgetown Neuroscience Research Fund, which are advancing traumatic brain injury research, education, and awareness.
Link to donate: give.georgetown.edu/alex-harvey
π‘ππ«π§ π¦π§ππ£π¦
We'll continue providing updates as the Back on Track Trauma Void helmet progresses through field testing and development. In the coming months, we also plan to expand the helmet safety resources available on the APA website, including more in-depth information on helmet technology, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), independent research, and other educational resources to help our members make informed decisions about player safety.
