Safer sport

This article appears in the May 2010 edition of Sportshorts.

Safety is a concern for everyone involved in sport. Sports Medicine Australia leads the way in making it a priority.

“At the community level, Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) is responsible for creating a safe playing field in which all Australians can actively and freely participate,” says Paul O’Dwyer, Education Manager for SMA NSW Branch.

The two key SMA NSW community-based initiatives are the Safer Sport Program and Smartplay.

“Safer Sport is our education program consisting of training courses, resources and guidelines for trainers, coaches, teachers, parents and participants.

“Courses emphasise practical skills, such as injury prevention, immediate injury management and crisis management techniques. Through Safer Sport, we encourage greater awareness of prevention, assessment, management and referral of sporting injuries,” says Mr O’Dwyer.

There are seven Safer Sport Program training courses offered in NSW:

• Sports First Aid (8 hours)
• Level 1 Sports Trainer (16 hours)
• Level 2 Sports Trainer (16 hours +)
• Advanced Sports Taping (3 hours)
• Elastoplast Strap Smart (3 hours)
• Spinal Injury Management (3 hours)
• Introduction to Sports Massage (6 hours)

“The shorter courses start with the most basic preventive measures and target the individual participant, while the longer courses produce graduates capable of helping others,” says Mr O’Dwyer.

Smartplay is the other key community initiative. The Smartplay website www.smartplay.com.au  ensures everyone involved in community sport can access safety and injury prevention information, anywhere and anytime.

“The website provides fact sheets, policies and guidelines on general, sport specific and injury specific safety on topics such as hydration, footwear, mouthguards and sport preparation techniques.

Mr O’Dwyer says both Safer Sport and Smartplay aim to help prevent and manage injuries, achieving the SMA goal of safe sport participation.

“There are over one million Australians injured each year playing sport in a professional and non professional environment. Safety in sport increases the participation and enjoyment of individuals involved in physical activity and can also decrease the financial burden associated with injury.

“From a NSW perspective, we’re aiming to educate as many people as possible through our Safer Sport Program.  We’re looking at further targeting the rural and regional areas, which have a high participation rate in sport, ensuring the safer sport message is seen throughout the state,” says Mr O’Dwyer.