Season Club Sponsor

Player Health and Well-being

Wishing all South Melbourne Districts players a happy and safe season 2023. The best season is one where there are no injuries or illnesses - so keep safe and stay well both on and off the field.

League requirements

The South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL) specifies the following requirements in relation to player health and well-being:

  1. First aid

    The trainer provides for the health and well-being of players during matches by administering first aid. Junior footy rosters on at least one trainer for each team who must hold the relevant accreditations and must be present for every match the team plays in.  See by-law 20.  For more info on trainer accreditation, click here.

    Junior footy equips each trainer with a first aid kit (with ice) for use during matches.  See by-law 20.  For the contents of the trainer first aid kit, click here.

    The trainer rostered on for the match must be present for the duration of the match.  Only the trainer rostered on for the match may be stationed on the team bench, and any additional trainers must be stationed off the field (outside the fence) and must be wearing the white trainer bib.  See by-law 20.

  2. concussion

    If a player is deemed to be concussed at a training session or on match day, they must not return to a training session or play a match until they’ve obtained a doctor’s certificate specifying they’re fit to play.  See by-law 18.  For further info on concussion, please refer to the link below:

    https://www.afl.com.au/clubhelp/policies/health-and-safety/concussion-management

  3. blood rule

    If a player (or any other person on the field during match play) has blood on them, they must immediately leave the field and may be replaced by an interchange player.  Once the bleeding has stopped and the blood cleaned or covered, the player may be interchanged back onto the field.  The trainer must wear gloves when attending to bleeding players and separately bag and dispose of blood infected materials.  See by-law 19.

  4. entering and exiting the field

    If a player is injured or ill, they may exit the field through the interchange or at any other place.  However, the interchange player must not enter the field until the injured or ill player has exited the field and must only do so through the interchange.  See by-law 17.  If a player is injured or ill, the grounds medic or a second or third trainer may access the field, as well as the trainer rostered on for the match.

  5. serious injury or illness

If play is stopped because of an injury or illness on the field for a period equal to one quarter, the team manager must follow the process in by-law 13.

Club additional steps

South Melbourne Districts has also implemented the following additional steps to ensure the health and well-being of players:

  1. Mouthguards

    The club requires all players to wear a mouthguard at training sessions or playing matches.  If a player doesn’t have a mouthguard, they’re unable to attend the training session or play the match.

  2. Grounds medic @matches

    The club engages a qualified medic to act as grounds medic for the duration of all home matches.  The grounds medic is available to:

    • assist trainers (South Melbourne Districts and opposition) in providing first aid and emergency care to players (South Melbourne Districts and opposition)

    • provide support and guidance to trainers in managing and treating injuries and illnesses

    • in the case of a serious injury or illness, take over the ongoing care or management of the player from the trainer

    In the case of an emergency, the grounds manager acts as the emergency response coordinator (ERC).

  3. Parent watch @training sessions

    As coaches have limited vision and are responsible for implementing the training program during training sessions, the care and safety of players rests with players and parents. Junior footy urges players and parents to support their coaches by being present, on-guard and watchful at all times during training sessions.

  4. player pre-existing medical conditions

    The club recommends players and their families ensure any required medication or equipment is provided at each training session and match, such as Ventolin or Epi-pen, and ensure any pre-existing injury is appropriately “strapped” before commencement of the training session or match.  The trainer is not responsible for the treatment or management of any pre-existing medical conditions or routinely “strapping” pre-existing injuries.

  5. serious injury or illness

    If an individual sustains a serious injury or suffers a serious illness during a training session or match or an individual sustains a serious injury or suffers a serious illness in and around the Clarke Shields Pavilion or oval 9, 11 or 12, please complete an injury report form and submit it to me.  For the injury report form, click here.

    The club has accident insurance in place under the AFL insurance program and individuals injured - whether player, official or spectator - may be eligible for coverage under that program. For further info on the program, click here. For the program’s general information sheet, click here. For the claim form, click here.

  6. emergency

    If there’s an emergency in and around the Clarke Shields Pavilion or oval 9, 11 or 12, there’s a defibrillator, ice and medical supplies in the first aid room on the ground floor of the Clark Shields Pavilion.

  7. ambulance

    If there’s a need to call an ambulance from in and around the Clarke Shields Pavilion or oval 9, 11 or 12, please follow the following instructions:

    • Phone 000

    • Instruct a volunteer to notify the grounds manager

    • Instruct a volunteer to stand on the Aughtie Drive turnoff to direct ambulance

    • Advise the ambulance of the exact location:

    Clarke Shields Pavilion
    Aughtie Drive, Albert Park Reserve
    View map

    Oval 9 (Gary Smorgon Oval)
    Ajax home ground directly adjacent to Clarke Shields Pavilion
    View map

    Oval 11 (Lindsay Hassett Oval)
    Main home ground in front of Clarke Shields Pavilion
    View map

    Oval 12 (Warwick Armstrong Oval)
    Across the road from Clarke Shields Pavilion and directly opposite oval 11
    View map

  8. hospital

    If there’s a need to take a player or individual to an emergency department of a nearby hospital from in and around the Clarke Shields Pavilion or oval 9, 11 or 12, please note the following:

    Royal Childrens’ Hospital
    50 Flemington Rd, Parkville VIC 3052
    View map
    9345 5522
    Paediatric services available

    Epworth Richmond
    89 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121
    View map
    9506 3000
    Paediatric services available

    Cabrini Health
    181-183 Wattletree Rd, Malvern VIC 3144
    View map
    9508 1222
    Paediatric services available

    The Alfred
    55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004
    View map
    9076 2000
    There are no paediatric services.  Do not attend if your child requires assessment.

The club is committed to providing the safest possible environment for players to play junior footy in.  If you have any ideas, comments or feedback on improving or achieving this objective, please contact me.

Lucy Chambers
M: TBA
E: trainers.juniorfooty@smdsc.com.au