Injury Prevention and Management

Strategies to help prevent injuries, or where necessary the plans a sporting organisation has in place to manage injuries, is important in ensuring all participants in sport enjoy their activities and remain healthy to continue to pursue their sporting goals.

During 2011 to 2015, Victoria’s nine Regional Sporting Assemblies supported over 250 rural and regional community sporting clubs to provide an environment that supports and encourages appropriate injury prevention and management, as part of the VicHealth Healthy Sporting Environments Program. This program supported clubs to implement practical actions, supported by resources (fact sheets, templates, guidelines, and websites).

“Injury Prevention and Management is a key factor in attracting and retaining members, and having a good reputation in the community” (Healthy Sporting Environments evaluation).

Injury prevention takes on many aspects including warm up, the use of correct equipment and apparel, the environment in which a sport is played and solid physical preparation of participants.Hydration, acclimatising to conditions, sun protection, and warm up and cool down all contribute to preventing injuries.

Injury management for sporting organisations is particularly important in ensuring your organisation has everything necessary to quickly and effectively provide assistance.While accidents can account for some injuries, inadequate or inappropriate preparation is also a major cause of injury and it is important prevention and management go hand in hand.

“Injury Prevention and Management is critical for all types of sport.” (Healthy Sporting Environments evaluation).

Solid injury prevention and management can ensure participants have more time playing sport, assists with administrators and volunteers having a clear understanding of how they can help prepare participants and help when injuries occur, and ensures your sporting club is ready for all situations.