injuryupdate
04-06-2008, 02:27 PM
TRACKER TO REVOLUTIONISE SPORTS INJURY DATA
COLLECTION
Victoria will pioneer the world’s first user-generated online database of community sports-related injuries
thanks to a $260,000 funding boost from the Brumby Government.
Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino today launched the Sports Injury Surveillance System, which
was developed by the Victorian branch of Sports Medicine Australia (SMAV).
Mr Merlino said the system would collect and store sports injury information entered online by registered
users, such as local sports clubs and associations.
“The Sports Injury Tracker system, funded by a $140,000 Sports Injury Prevention grant, will help users to
monitor sports injuries and share information with other users via online reports,” Mr Merlino said.
During the launch at the Victorian Sports Injury Prevention and Risk Management Forum 2008, Mr Merlino
announced a further $120,000 to operate the system over the next three years.
“This system will provide the most accurate and up-to-date statistics on the number and causes of injuries
ever seen and will help clubs reduce the risk of injuries by taking strategic preventative measures,” he
said.
“It may also help the insurance industry in the management and estimation of insurance premiums relating
to sports injuries.”
Mr Merlino said that by providing realistic information, the system would also help dispel a common fear
that serious injury was a widespread result of playing sport.
“New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found the likelihood of injury deters people from
playing sports as they get older,” he said.
“The ABS report showed that 29 per cent of people aged 55 to 64, and 24 per cent of people aged 65 and
over, said injury and illness were the main reasons they didn’t get involved in sports.”
SMAV executive officer Nello Marino urged sports associations to use their strong communication
networks to get backing for the Sports Injury Tracker at a community level.
“The approach to sports injury prevention planning is traditionally approached in a ‘top down’ fashion,
being left to government to implement and drive,” Mr Marino said.
“However, this project encourages the industry to take greater responsibility and ownership of its own
safety at a club, facility, league and association level.”
FROM THE MINISTER FOR SPORT AND
RECREATION
Page 1 of 2
file://C:\DOCUME~1\middlem\LOCALS~1\Temp\GICI9KKN.htm 28/05/08
At the forum, Mr Merlino also launched two new Risk Management Standards for volleyball and hockey, to
help reduce the risk of sports injury through consistent practical policies and procedures across community
sport.
“Research has found that only 50 per cent of surveyed clubs had adopted a formal risk management policy
while 50 per cent of those with a policy did not effectively implement it,” Mr Merlino said.
“The Brumby Government provided $100,000 through its Risk Management Initiative for VicSport to
develop and test the first two standards with several hockey and volleyball clubs.
“I’m delighted to announce that on top of this, we’re committing $130,000 to develop activity-based risk
management standards for a further six sports over the next 18 months.
“The implementation of robust standards across community sport will raise the quality of local sport and
build community confidence in safe participation.”
COLLECTION
Victoria will pioneer the world’s first user-generated online database of community sports-related injuries
thanks to a $260,000 funding boost from the Brumby Government.
Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino today launched the Sports Injury Surveillance System, which
was developed by the Victorian branch of Sports Medicine Australia (SMAV).
Mr Merlino said the system would collect and store sports injury information entered online by registered
users, such as local sports clubs and associations.
“The Sports Injury Tracker system, funded by a $140,000 Sports Injury Prevention grant, will help users to
monitor sports injuries and share information with other users via online reports,” Mr Merlino said.
During the launch at the Victorian Sports Injury Prevention and Risk Management Forum 2008, Mr Merlino
announced a further $120,000 to operate the system over the next three years.
“This system will provide the most accurate and up-to-date statistics on the number and causes of injuries
ever seen and will help clubs reduce the risk of injuries by taking strategic preventative measures,” he
said.
“It may also help the insurance industry in the management and estimation of insurance premiums relating
to sports injuries.”
Mr Merlino said that by providing realistic information, the system would also help dispel a common fear
that serious injury was a widespread result of playing sport.
“New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found the likelihood of injury deters people from
playing sports as they get older,” he said.
“The ABS report showed that 29 per cent of people aged 55 to 64, and 24 per cent of people aged 65 and
over, said injury and illness were the main reasons they didn’t get involved in sports.”
SMAV executive officer Nello Marino urged sports associations to use their strong communication
networks to get backing for the Sports Injury Tracker at a community level.
“The approach to sports injury prevention planning is traditionally approached in a ‘top down’ fashion,
being left to government to implement and drive,” Mr Marino said.
“However, this project encourages the industry to take greater responsibility and ownership of its own
safety at a club, facility, league and association level.”
FROM THE MINISTER FOR SPORT AND
RECREATION
Page 1 of 2
file://C:\DOCUME~1\middlem\LOCALS~1\Temp\GICI9KKN.htm 28/05/08
At the forum, Mr Merlino also launched two new Risk Management Standards for volleyball and hockey, to
help reduce the risk of sports injury through consistent practical policies and procedures across community
sport.
“Research has found that only 50 per cent of surveyed clubs had adopted a formal risk management policy
while 50 per cent of those with a policy did not effectively implement it,” Mr Merlino said.
“The Brumby Government provided $100,000 through its Risk Management Initiative for VicSport to
develop and test the first two standards with several hockey and volleyball clubs.
“I’m delighted to announce that on top of this, we’re committing $130,000 to develop activity-based risk
management standards for a further six sports over the next 18 months.
“The implementation of robust standards across community sport will raise the quality of local sport and
build community confidence in safe participation.”