Risk management models in netball

Risk management strategies have been used in a wide range of sports. Many issues involved in the implementation of risk management models in sport have not been investigated especially the sport specific and location specific nature of such models. The aim of this study was to ascertain the usefulness of Occupational Health & Safety risk management (RM) models in a mainly voluntary sporting organisation and to investigate the requirements of a netball population in developing "user friendly" risk management plans. The industry RM plans were trialled in a rural setting at various netball associations over a six week period. After these trials focus groups and interviews were conducted and the trials evaluated. The requirements of the netball population for a RM plan were investigated using focus groups from regional and rural areas. The industry RM models presented were not generally accepted by the trial participants. They found that the level of expertise required did not exist in netball at the club/team level. The focus groups on the needs of netball for a user friendly model brought out a number of issues including the specific needs of rural football/netball leagues, the need to develop strategies for all levels of netball (coach, player, umpire, administrator). Barriers to the uptake of risk management models were discussed. An effective RM plan can be developed for voluntary sports associations but they must be specific to the sport and flexible. The RM plan must also take into account the barriers to implementation for each sporting culture.