Download Sporting policies and the sporting environment are essential to the promotion of safe participation

Sporting policies and the sporting environment are essential to the promotion of safe participation. The
participants wellbeing is observed through the mandate of rules, modified rules for children, protective
equipment and safe grounds, equipment and facilities. While there is argument that rules are disruptive, and
equipment cumbersome evidence demonstrates of these safety initiatives have a critical role in preventing
injury.
Rules of sport provide an agreement of understanding to participation. Rules are enforced by referees and
umpires during competition. The Australia Open tennis tournament has an extreme heat policy that includes
closing the roof at temperatures above 39degrees and allowing 10minute breaks between the second and
their first sets. This prevents heat stroke and avoids overexertion, dehydration and heat exhaustion. In rugby
league the safe play code dictates a player cannot tackle above armpits, cannot not lift, ankle tap, or shoulder
charge the ball carrier. These rules create the best possible on field environment and contribute to the
reduction of injuries including spinal and concussion. Impacting negatively on safety, the NRL have
introduced new rules that create fatigue and only developed for the interest of the audience. Rules in netball
that involve no travel and quick stopping cause knee injuries. The positive impacts of rules in sport outweigh
any negative effects and are highly effective in the promotion of safe participation as it plays a significant
role in preventing injury.
Rules of sport are further modified for children. Children are not as co-ordinated and have limited
capabilities; they do not understand all the rules or risks and have no experience. Children have
underdeveloped sweat glands and poor ability to regulate body temperature, they are also not as tall or as
strong. In netball hoops are lowered to increase the chance of goals and build confidence. Kanga cricket the
equipment is plastic to reduce injury and pitch and field are smaller to reduce stress on the child’s body. In
AFL modified tackling, smaller balls and smaller grounds create a fun and safe environment to develop
skills. Some children are more competent and developed and do not feel challenged by these modifications,
yet these children are a minority. There is no doubt, applying modified rules for children is effective for the
promotion of safe participation as it enhances the athlete’s wellbeing and confidence while reducing risk of
injury.
The policy of matching an opponent based on age, weight, skills and sex create a safe sporting environment. By
matching participants, you consider a person’s physical and mental functions such as size, strength, weight, height,
psychological functions, skills, ability, experience and their gender. Boxing is a very physical and one on one sport.
They have divisions based on weight to protect the players. An example of matching by skill is football that has local,
regional, state and even national and international competitions. Most sports divide players by sex once a competitor is
of an age. Surfing and tennis even at an international level divide by sex. When considering age as a means of
matching opponents, this is not effective in promoting safety. Children develop at very different rates both in their size
and aggression towards the game. Some 14-year old’s look 18 while others can look 10. Matching them up against
each other in running races gives unfair advantaged. In rugby league and union there can be a 90kg child tackling a
40kg child. Whilst not perfect giving no consideration would be catastrophic in the prevention of injury. The evidence
still supports implementing the matching of opponents based on age, weight, skills and sex create and foster a sporting
environment that is safe, fair and a place people come for enjoyment.
Protective equipment is crucial in sports to help promote safe participation and the wellbeing of athletes. The purpose
of protective equipment is to spread force of impact, absorb energy and reduce the chance of injury. Shin pads are
compulsory in soccer and hockey to protect players skin from soft and hard tissue injuries. Mouthguards are also
compulsory in sports such as rugby, hockey and boxing. This protects the players teeth from being knocked out and
tongues from being bitten. Helmets protect the head from injury in sports such as baseball, skiing, ice hockey and bike
riding but in. However protective equipment can give the athlete a false sense of security and they may take more risks
which will lead to injury. For example, headgear in rugby league may protect against minor superficial head injuries
such as lacerations and abrasions some rugby players seem to wear protective headgear to give them the confidence
not to worry about getting a head knock and resulting concussions. Unquestionably though protective equipment is
essential in promoting safe participation and any sense of false security can be address through education.
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants the grounds, equipment and facilities need to be in good
condition and appropriate to the requirements of the sport. Most sports governing bodies provide clear guidelines
which establish minimum standards for player and spectator safety. Examples of this include flat playing surface, free
of potholes and obstructions and a safe distance from other games. Equipment is secure and padded if necessary, such
as netball posts. Adequate lighting and access to first aid. Examples of potential dangers are a netball court that has
poor drainage that leaves large puddles making unsafe playing surface. A soccer ground that has large holes
significantly increases the risk of ankle and knee injuries. A ground with rocks will make abrasions and lacerations
more likely. Thus, it is crucial for participants grounds, equipment and facilities to be in good condition and
appropriate to the requirements of sport to ensure safe participation and prevention of injury.
Without a doubt it is evident that sports polices and sports environment effectively promote safe participation. This is
done through the mandate of rules, modified rules for children, matching of opponents, protective equipment and safe
grounds, equipment and facilities.