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MELBOURNE
+61 (0)3 8562 9100
LONDON
+44 (0)20 7398 4080
SYDNEY
+61 (0)2 9268 9100
TORONTO
+1 (416) 987-7595
www.sportscover.com
SPORTSCOVER
TM
is: Security. Specialisation. Experience.
The first choice for sports and leisure insurance.
All policies underwritten by Sportscover Syndicate 3334, managed by Sportscover Underwriting Ltd.
Sportscover Europe Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The word SPORTSCOVER and the
Sportscover Logo are trademarks of Sportscover Australia Pty Ltd. ACN 006 637 903 ABN 43 006 637 903 AFS Licence Number 230914
changes made if
necessary.
The aim of any risk
management
plan
should ultimately be
the safety of everyone
involved
including
players,
officials,
spectators and the
general public. Sport
plays a major part in
the community and provides not only a great way for people
to stay fit and healthy but is also a social bond for everyone
involved. Many injuries that occur are preventable with a good
risk management plan in place which is adhered to by everyone
involved in the club.
Main points relating to playing surfaces
The sports playing surface/field is the most important component
of any sports game. Unfortunately too many clubs focus on getting
their team on the field (enough players, equipment etc) and don’t
pay enough attention the surface the team will be playing on.
The condition of the playing surface should be:
Regularly inspected – is the surface even (potholes/joins),
clear of debris (rocks, glass, needles), clearly marked, are
sprinkler heads covered, spoon drains level?
A safe distance from neighbouring roads, houses/buildings,
playgrounds and carparks.
Equipment
Goals, goal posts, netting all pose risk to players and officials
during the game. Inappropriate/ inadequate padding,
exposed hooks or bolts, defective or inappropriate equipment,
old or worn out nets, posts, supports etc. can result in failure
of the equipment.
Other Issues
What is the policy regarding bad/inclement weather policy
– consider heat/cold, wind, rain, snow, lightning? Make sure
that the rules are strictly adhered to.
1. Cited example:
Williams v Latrobe Council [2007] TASSC 2 - where a player
landed on an irrigation tap cover, which was not flush with the playing surface.
heads appropriately covered? Depending on the sport a more
detailed inspection could include the hardness of the surface
itself. There is a list of cases that have been won by plaintiffs
injured as a result of unsafe playing areas
1
. These injuries and the
legal actions have a dramatic impact on the player and club.
A variety of sports have players constantly exiting the playing
surface and sliding or running into the runoff area between the
outer perimeter fence and playing boundary. It is essential that
this area is also clear of debris and that drains/grates are safely
secured and level with the surface. Fencing also poses a major
threat to players and officials with protruding wires, bolt heads and
sponsor signage with sharp edges etc. all having the potential for
inflicting serious injury. The actual material used for the fencing
can present a threat to player safety if it is too rigid and players
are constantly colliding with it. Other poles, walls or structures
(such as staircases, scoring boxes etc) in close proximity to the
edge of any playing surface should also be inspected and be at a
safe distance, appropriately padded or removed if possible.
Often clubs focus attention on the playing surface only with the
associated equipment being forgotten. Goals and netting are
often the cause of injuries from quite innocent actions either in
the setup or playing of the game. The general condition of the
goals and netting should be inspected to ensure it does not fail
during the game. Poles and posts should also have the appropriate
padding applied. Protruding hooks, bolts and nails used to fix
equipment have resulting in many severe injuries to players and
officials, such as their wedding ring becoming caught and their
finger being de-gloved (very nasty!). Along with general visual
inspection it is a good idea to have pole and posts, fixing cables
etc inspected for their integrity to avoid any failures as a result
of fatigue.
Sporting clubs also have a responsibility to patrons of the venue
and to the general public who may be injured through the poor
positioning of the playing surface in relation to spectator areas,
roads, pathways, children’s play areas and car parking areas.
Appropriatewarning signs andnetting shouldbe installed if the close
proximity of the playing surface to other public areas is unavoidable.
There must be regular inspections of the netting, fencing and
signage with close attention being paid to its effectiveness and