SPORTS INJURY PREVENTION The activities of the Australian Sports Injury Prevention Taskforce culminated in December 1997 with the release of the report SportSafe Australia: A National Sports Safety Framework. Sports injury prevention is not a simple issue and the responsibility for sport safety lies with many layers of the sporting society. Programs of the Australian Sports Commission such as Aussie Sport, the Australian Coaching Council's coach and official accreditation program and Active Australia, all contribute to creating a safer and more enjoyable sporting and recreation experience. Community education programs of Sports Medicine Australia provide training opportunities for sports first aid. Health promotion programs such as Smartplay in South Australia and SportSafe in Western Australia, also contribute to a growing awareness that injury in sport and recreation can most often be prevented with forethought, preparation and action. Active Australia is the product of the partnership between the sectors of health, sport, recreation and fitness to encourage all Australians to be physically active. One of the key outcomes identified for Active Australia is the minimised risk of injury and provision of safe environments. Recommendations from the framework report are being implemented through a program, SportSafe, delivered as a component of Active Australia. In partnership with Sports Medicine Australia - SA and WA branches, a booklet titled Become a Sport Safe Club has been developed. The booklet provides a first level safety checklist for clubs and describes a risk management approach for clubs to improve safety practices. Booklets for schools and facilities will be developed in the next 12 months. |
SportSafe is preparing a sports injury data dictionary and sample data collection forms to assist a variety of sports. This information can be used for planning sports medicine coverage, evaluating if a rule modification or policy is effective or argue for cheaper insurance premiums. The data dictionary, sport specific data forms and a simple Access database will be available from the SportSafe web page or the ASC bookshop from October 1998. SportSafe, web address is www.ausport.gov.au/partic/spsafe.html. All publications above are available fro the ASC Bookshop. 'Become a sport safe club booklet' is also available from the state offices of Sports Medicine Australia. Email the bookshop at pubs@ausport.gov.au or phone 02 6214 1915 Active Australia Summer 1998 IEA
has offices in every state. National freecall number 1800 SPORT
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