Badminton WA Health Policy

Toby Hodgson

Executive Officer

Endorsed 6 August 2007

Health Policies

1. Anti-Doping and Drugs

The Anti-Doping Policy shall be that of the Badminton Australia (BA) Policy as per the BA website. Refer to www.badminton.org.au

2. Tobacco

Badminton WA recognises that smoke free environments protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of environmental tobacco smoke and contribute to reducing tobacco consumption level. Badminton WA will encourage quitting attempts and discourage the uptake of smoking particularly by young people.

· All indoor and outdoor environments including participant and audience areas are 100% smoke free.

· All Badminton WA functions including presentation evenings, meetings and sponsorship VIP events will be 100% smoke free.

· All venues where the sponsored programs and events are held will be 100% smoke free.

· Tobacco products will not be sold on any premises under the control of Badminton WA.

· Any person either employed or representing Badminton WA in any capacity will refrain from smoking at any official engagement or activity related to the sponsored program and will not carry tobacco products.

· This No Smoking Policy will extend to all members at all times when wearing Badminton WA and/or sponsorship apparel.

3. Alcohol

Badminton WA will actively seek to promote, encourage and support strategies to minimise harm from the use of alcohol.

· At all functions, lower strength alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

· Water will be freely and readily available.

4. Sport Safety

Badminton WA will encourage all members to adopt practices that seek to prevent injury by:

· Encouraging warm-up, stretching and cool-down as an important component of playing and training.

· Providing safe playing surfaces, first aid equipment and accredited First Aid/Sports Trainers at all training sessions and competition matches organised by Badminton WA.

· Ensuring adequate public liability and player insurance of all members.

· Encouraging all players with a prior or current injury to seek professional advice from a sports medicine professional and be fully rehabilitated before returning to play.

5. Food and Catering

Badminton WA recognises the importance of good nutrition for sports performance by:and will promote healthy eating through:

· Ensuring when food is provided, healthy alternatives, in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Australians, are available including foods low in fat, high in fibre and with a substantial fruit and vegetable content.

· Promoting good nutrition and healthy eating messages. Prizes that encourage unhealthy eating will not be provided

6. Sun Protection Policy

Badminton WA recognises that exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has negative health effects and will therefore introduce measures to minimise exposure.

The organisation strongly recommends and supports sun safe practices for all activities undertaken outside.

· Activities will be conducted outside of the hours 10.00am to 3.00pm when UVR is at its peak, whenever possible.

· Natural shade will be utilised to protect participants and spectators, wherever available.

· Staff and members representing the organisation will always act as positive role models by adopting sun protection behaviours such as wearing long sleeved shirts, broad brim hats, extra length shorts, sunglasses and applying sunscreen.

· When natural shade is not available, organisation will supply and erect portable shade structures.

· For activities involving juniors a “no hat, no sunscreen, no play” policy will apply in order to encourage juniors to learn and adopt sun protection behaviours.

· All uniforms and clothing provided for club members will comply with the design and fabric standards recommended by the Cancer Foundation of WA.

· Sunscreen (SPF 30+, broad spectrum water resistant) will be made available to participants and spectators. However when this is not possible these parties will be encouraged to bring their own.

7. Mentally Healthy Policy

Promoting positive mental health promotion involves any action taken to maximise well being in individuals and communities. It includes fostering a sense of belonging through improving social, physical and economic environments as well as enhancing the coping capacity of individuals and communities.

Badminton WA will proactively support positive mental health promotion in individuals and the community through supportive strategies which:

· provide opportunities for individuals to be mentally, physically and socially active. (ACT)

· encourage individuals to join and actively participate in Badminton WA activities and those of partner organisations (BELONG)

· encourage individuals to become a volunteer in (Badminton WA, to set personal goals for achievement in the activities of the organisation, and to be more broadly involved in other community events and environments (COMMIT)

· reduce or remove economic or social barriers to participation in Badminton WA activities

· encourage participants, volunteers and organisers to treat all groups in the organisation and in the community in general with respect, equality and openness.

8. Working with Children

Badminton WA supports current legislation in regards to working with Children and adopts these strategies:

· Badminton WA to comply and disseminate information to all clubs with current legislation information.

· Badminton WA Coaches to have work with Children checks.

· Chaperones be sought for male and female children when travel and overnight accommodation is required.

Breaches of these policies will be addressed through the Board of Management.

NOTE:

These policies were endorsed by the Badminton WA Board on

………………………………………………..

Date

………………………………………………..

Executive Officer

………………………………………………..

President

These policies are due for review by August 2008.