Victoria highlights moveable goalpost safety

The importance of using football goalposts that are safe and complaint with Australian Standards has been highlighted by Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs Michael O'Brien.

Speaking at Melbourne Olympic Park this morning, flanked by Melbourne Heart goalkeeper Clint Bolton and club Chief Executive Scott Munn, Minister O'Brien emphasised the risks that come from using moveable football goalposts that do not meet the mandatory safety standard.

Minister O'Brien explained "not everyone may realise that there is a national standard in place to ensure that soccer goalposts that are used at clubs, schools and parks are safe and to reduce the risk of injury.

"Goals can pose a risk of injury or death if they become unanchored during use or if they are used inappropriately, such as playing or swinging from the goalposts."

There have been seven deaths and one paraplegic injury related to moveable football goalposts in Australia since 1986.

In 2003 a three-year-old child died in NSW when an unsecured soccer goal toppled over and struck her on the head. The goalposts weighed 180kg and had no rear ground bar.

Bolton and Scott Munn both welcomed the opportunity to remind the football community of the importance of product safety, Munn stating "Melbourne Heart is passionately committed to promoting football as an athletic, fun and safe game.

"We strongly support any measure that helps ensure people stay safe on and off the field."

Since June, staff from Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) have been visiting football clubs and schools, educating them about the standards and checking the football goalposts which they use.

Inspectors from Consumer Affairs Victoria have already visited 30 schools and clubs across the state, and will visit more throughout July and August.

Consumer Affairs is also consulting with Victorian-based football goalpost manufacturers to inform them about the standard.

Under the safety standard, moveable football goalposts weighing more than 28 kilograms must:

• Have at least one anchor point at each side of the rear ground bar;
• Have three permanent warning labels, one on the crossbar and one on each upright post; and
• Not fall over or fail to return to its original position when tested in accordance with the national standard.

Injuries relating to football goalposts can be due to: instability; goals becoming unanchored;
inappropriate or ineffective installation; and inappropriate use, such as swinging on goalposts or crossbars.

Football Federation Victoria Chief Executive Mark Rendell welcomed CAV's educational approach, stating "we welcome positive moves like this which help reduce the risk of injuries relating to our sport.

"In particular, we are concerned about the dangers that arise from people using homemade football goals and we urge all clubs, schools and councils to take heed of these new standards."

CAV highlight that there are a number of steps that anyone involved in the game can take to ensure that goals used in soccer matches are used appropriately and safely.

CAV state that clubs that use moveable soccer goalposts should follow the following checklist:

• Check it; ensure the goal is in good condition and stable.
• Secure it; anchor the goalposts to the ground to prevent them from tipping.
• Test it; adults should always test moveable soccer goalposts to make sure they are stable. To do this, make sure there are no children around and shake the goalpost vigorously by using both hands and pushing it from behind.
• Respect it; do not allow anyone to climb on the goals or leave them unattended on the playing field. Store moveable goals away or chain them together on the grounds.

For further information about the product safety standards on moveable football goalposts go to www.productsafety.gov.au

Dr David Eager explained the introduction of Australia's new mandatory Standard for moveable football goalposts in a feature in the November/December 2010 issue of Australasian Leisure Management.

Image: Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs Michael O'Brien (left), Melbourne Heart goalkeeper Clint Bolton and club Chief Executive Scott Munn, Minister O'Brien