Soccer goalposts - make safety your goal
As a soccer player, parent, coach, team manager, club official, referee, or spectator you can play a part in ensuring equipment used for your soccer game is safe and suitable.
The best goalposts to use are those that are permanently fixed into the ground. Where these are not available, moveable goalposts can be used as an alterative. But you must strictly adhere to safety rules, as falling goalposts can be dangerous. New safety standards are being developed for moveable soccer goalposts. In the meantime, follow the safety steps
What is a moveable goalpost?
It’s a soccer goalpost designed to be a temporary structure which can be transported (whether in one piece or after disassembly) both on and off a soccer field.
Provided the moveable soccer goalpost is stable with the necessary safety checks and precautions taken, a safe soccer environment is only a goal kick away.
At the start of the soccer season
All NSW soccer clubs have copies of the Standards Australia Handbook (HB227-2203) and policies issued by Soccer NSW and Northern NSW Soccer Federation.
The policy and handbook contain important information about the manufacture, use and storage of moveable soccer goalposts.
You must read these documents, and undertake the following steps before every match.
If you believe your soccer goalposts may be unsafe, do not use them. Soccer NSW and Northern NSW Soccer Federation can help you organise professional external testers.
Before every soccer game AND before all training sessions
Officials should undertake the following four steps before every match and before every training session. Players, coaches, spectators and others should check that these steps have been carried out.
Four steps to moveable soccer goalpost safety
1. Check it
Never use goalposts that are homemade.
Check that all goalposts are in good condition and properly constructed. Refer to the Australian Standard handbook HB227-2003.
Check there are no children around the goalpost, then shake it by using both hands and pushing from behind the upright.
If any goalposts fall, do not use them or let anyone else use them until they have been secured.
2. Secure it
For safety reasons, moveable soccer goalposts of any size must be anchored securely into the ground. As a general rule, it takes about 200 kilograms to properly anchor a full size portable soccer goalpost; this equates to 10 stakes or 12 bags of sand or 10 bags of cement mix per goalpost. Consider:
- fitting a number of sleeves into the ground along the goal lines of the field
- having each upright of the moveable soccer goalpost extended by about 300mm
- fitting the upright into the sleeves to make sure they will not topple over.
Again, officials should read, and take notice of Australian Standard Handbook HB227-2003 for more comprehensive information.
After use, always remove soccer goalposts and store them in a secure area.
3. Test it
Before use, adults (preferably club officials) should test all moveable soccer goalposts to make sure they’re stable.
Again, check there are no children around the goalpost, then shake it by using both hands and pushing from behind the upright.
If you’re unsure of the safety of your moveable soccer goalposts, don’t use them or let anyone else use them until you have them tested professionally. Soccer NSW and Northern NSW Soccer Federation can help you organise professional external testers.
4. Respect it
Under no circumstances should people be allowed to climb, swing or play on a moveable goalpost. This can be extremely dangerous.
If you see anyone doing this, report them to your club officials immediately.
Further information
If you or your club needs assistance, contact:
Soccer NSW
Phone (02) 8814 4400
Email: info@soccernsw.com.au Web: www.soccernsw.com.au
OR
Northern NSW Soccer Federation
Phone (02) 4964 8922
Email: socceradmin@norsoc.org.au Web: www.isport.com.au
For more information about movable soccer goalpost safety requirements contact the Office of Fair Trading at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or call (02) 84674468.
The NSW Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation acknowledges the support of the following organisations: The English Football Association, Football Federation Australia, Soccer NSW, Northern NSW Soccer Federation, Australian Sports Commission, NSW Office of Fair Trading, NSW Department of Education and Training, NSW Department of Local Government.
