AusLeisure

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has partnered with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to help keep youngsters and players safe around football goals.

Football coaches, teachers, parents and volunteers as well as sports associations, Football clubs and local councils are being urged by the FFA and ACCC to 'Anchor, Check, Respect' their goalposts after growing concerns in Australia and worldwide about the safety of moveable football goals.

ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard explains "with at least seven deaths in Australia plus an injury leading to a person becoming paraplegic, it's critical that moveable soccer goals are safe and correct and treated with respect both on and off the game."

Unstable moveable football goals have been associated with at least 40 deaths and a range of serious injuries worldwide, plus the recent death of a 10-year-old boy in the United States in 2011. Deaths and injuries are caused by blunt force injuries and trauma to the head, neck, chest and limbs.

Moveable football goals can be popular as they're able to be relocated and used on different fields.

The safety concerns mainly lie with those that weigh 28 kilograms or more.

Rickard adds "if you're involved with kids' soccer and moveable goalposts are used, make sure they're anchored securely and correctly into the ground, and then check that they are stable before they're used. If they're not safe, don't use them."

Melbourne Victory Captain and safe goalposts ambassador Adrian Leijer, who features in the new YouTube video Anchor, Check, Respect: The Game Plan for Moveable Soccer Goal Safety, also urges adults to ensure moveable football goals are safe "not just during games: kids will be kids, so please keep in mind that goalposts need respect at all times".

Rickard concludes "we are calling on everyone involved in kids' soccer to watch the video, order the DVD and download the brochure and poster all available on the (product safety soccer goals) website.

"That way, you can follow the three key safety steps anchor, check and respect to help ensure Football is a safe activity for everyone involved."

While a 'mandatory' Australian Standard for moveable/portable outdoor football goal posts has existed since 31st December 2010, Australasian Leisure Management has previously revealed concerns over industry awareness of this important consumer product safety initiative.

Now, 18 months after the release of the Standard, safety material will be distributed to schools, childrens' sports clubs and associations as well as local councils across Australia.

The safety material includes the following advice:

Anchor, Check, Respect the safety steps

Anchor

Anchor the moveable Football goalposts securely into the ground. It takes 200 kilograms, which equals:
• 10 stakes
• 12 bags of sand, or
• 10 bags of cement mix.

Check

• Check the goalposts. Before every game or training session, test that the moveable Football goals are properly secured and safe to use.
• Ensure there are no children around the goalpost.
• Shake the goalpost using both hands and push it from behind.
• If the goal post falls, don't use it until it has been properly secured.
• Don't use it if it's not safe.

Respect

• Ensure that no one climbs, swings or plays on a moveable goalpost.
• Store the moveable goalposts safely when not in use.

For more information go to www.productsafety.gov/soccergoals

Click here to view the Anchor, Check, Respect: The Game Plan for Moveable Soccer Goal Safety YouTube video. 

6th November 2011 - MORE SUPPLIERS MEET AUSTRALIAN STANDARD FOR PORTABLE GOAL POSTS

10th November 2010 - COUNCILS AND CLUBS NEED TO BE READY FOR NEW MANDATORY MOVEABLE OUTDOOR FOOTBALL GOAL POST STANDARD

20th September 2010 - TAMS INSTALLS PILA AFL GOAL POSTS AT ACT’S PHILLIP OVAL 

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