“When we learnt smoking caused lung cancer we made it illegal for children to smoke. Now that we’ve learnt head impacts cause CTE,we have a very important decision to make about whether a child should be allowed to play a game that could cause CTE when there are so many alternative versions of the sport that don’t.”

Former NRL star James Graham and ex top-grade player Joe Williams will attend the education session in Sydney. It will be fronted by the Australian Sports Brain Bank founder,associate professor Michael Buckland,and internationally acclaimed neuroscientist Alan Pearce.

The concussion crisis has become a big topic in Australia’s major sporting codes over the past decade. Despite improvement in player health and welfare,the question remains whether the governing bodies are doing enough.

South Sydney captain Cameron Murray is eager to play in the NRL elimination final against arch-rivals the Roosters on Sunday - nine days after being concussed in the second tackle of the opening night at Allianz Stadium.

The Roosters’ Victor Radley is also expected to feature,only a fortnight after convulsing on the ground after a concussion in a match against the Storm.

Both players are reportedly symptom free after their respective brain injuries.

While not commenting on individual cases,Nowinski had a blunt appraisal of Australia’s major sporting codes,saying an increasing number of former athletes were being diagnosed with early onset dementia in care homes.

“It’s the canary in the coal mine reminding us CTE is here in Australia,” Nowinski said. “CTE is primarily an issue in English-speaking countries and I would put Australia behind America,the UK and Canada - by a long shot,unfortunately.

“We’re still talking about concussions as a cause of CTE,which they’re not. And we’re still debating cause and effect where it’s not being debated in other countries. It’s even accepted by the NFL. People are struggling with the long-term effects of concussion and CTE,so we’re here to help patients and families.”

Late Canterbury legend Steve Folkes was the first professional rugby league player to be diagnosed with CTE in 2019.

The brain disease is associated with behavioural and mood problems such as depression and anxiety. The Australian Sports Brain Bank found 12 of the 21 athletes it had examined since its inception in 2018showed signs of CTE. Three donors with CTE were under the age of 35.

A research letter said suicide could be a risk factor of CTE,with six of the 12 athletes who had CTE having taken their own life.

The family of former Rothmans medallist and premiership-winning Cowboys coach Paul Greendonated his brain to science after he died by suicide last month.

If you or anyone you know needs immediate support,contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency,call 000.

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