Promote UV Protection Behaviour

In addition to increasing awareness of when UV protection is required, clubs can inform and educate members about how they can protect themselves from overexposure to UV.

Clubs that were involved in the Healthy Sporting Environments program reported strong levels of UV protection among their members due to effective promotion of UV protection. This resulted in:

  • Greater personal responsibility for UV protection (application of sunscreen or self-provision of shade)
  • Increase in compliance regarding the application of sunscreen
  • Increase in the use of UV protective clothing

“Anywhere you go UV will damage unprotected skin. And it just keeps adding up.” (SunSmart)

Here are 8 simple steps to help promote UV protection messages within your sporting organisation:

  1. Display UV protection material in and around your sporting club
  2. Provide UV protection material on your webpage
  3. Provide communication strategies of UV protection for sporting events. Include an event checklist, tips and sample SunSmart pre-recorded announcements
  4. Distribute to club members ‘Being SunSmart in Victoria’- magnet card
  5. Ensure that there is SPF 30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen that is 'in date' and available for everyone. Additionally, provide advice to club members on storage (under 30 degrees)
  6. Provide advice on how to apply sunscreen (e.g. 20 min before sport and every 2 hrs after/ immediately after swimming, sweating or towel dry)
  7. Promote wearing UV protective clothing including hats and sunglasses
  8. Promote to spectators and members to seek shade

Current SunSmart promotional campaigns that your sporting organisation can promote via your website or around your club include:

Slip! Slop! Slap! Seek! Slide!

  1. Slip on protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possible
  2. Slop on SPF 30+ sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure (reapply every two hours when outdoors or more often if perspiring or swimming)
  3. Slap on a wide brimmed hat that covers face, neck and shoulders
  4. Seek shade
  5. Slide on sunglasses

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