Evaluating SafeClub: can risk management training improve the safety activities of community soccer clubs?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a sports safety-focused risk-management training programme.


METHODS
Controlled before and after test.


METHODS
Four community soccer associations in Sydney, Australia.


METHODS
76 clubs (32 intervention, 44 control) at baseline, and 67 clubs (27 intervention, 40 control) at post-season and 12-month follow-ups.


METHODS
SafeClub, a sports safety-focused risk-management training programme (3x2 hour sessions) based on adult-learning principles and injury-prevention concepts and models.


METHODS
Changes in mean policy, infrastructure and overall safety scores as measured using a modified version of the Sports Safety Audit Tool.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the mean policy, infrastructure and overall safety scores of intervention and control clubs at baseline. Intervention clubs achieved higher post-season mean policy (11.9 intervention vs 7.5 controls), infrastructure (15.2 vs 10.3) and overall safety (27.0 vs 17.8) scores than did controls. These differences were greater at the 12-month follow-up: policy (16.4 vs 7.6); infrastructure (24.7 vs 10.7); and overall safety (41.1 vs 18.3). General linear modelling indicated that intervention clubs achieved statistically significantly higher policy (p<0.001), infrastructure (p<0.001) and overall safety (p<0.001) scores compared with control clubs at the post-season and 12-month follow-ups. There was also a significant linear interaction of time and group for all three scores: policy (p<0.001), infrastructure (p<0.001) and overall safety (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
SafeClub effectively assisted community soccer clubs to improve their sports safety activities, particularly the foundations and processes for good risk-management practice, in a sustainable way.
Youthsafe, Moorong SpinalUnit, Royal Rehabilitation Centre, Sydney, Australia. kristya@youthsafe.org
K
K
Abbott
P
P
Klarenaar
A
A
Donaldson
S
S
Sherker
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012308:Risk Management / Q000592:standards*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000592:standards*; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*