Medical, Emergency and Participation Policy

What parents and guardians must tell us

You must disclose any medical condition, allergy, injury, disability, medication or support need relevant to your child's safe participation, and update it whenever it changes. Missing information can put your child at risk.

Medication and allergies

• •Children who require medication such as an asthma inhaler or adrenaline auto-injector must have it with them at every session.
• •Provide clear written instructions, including an action plan where one exists.
• •Staff may assist with self-administration in line with your instructions but do not prescribe or diagnose.

Injury reporting

Injuries occurring at our sessions are recorded, and we inform the guardian. Tell us about injuries sustained elsewhere that may affect participation.

Concussion and return to play

• •If a head injury or suspected concussion occurs, the child is removed from the session immediately.
• •If in doubt, sit them out. We do not return a child to play on the same day.
• •Return to training and play follows a graded approach and requires guardian confirmation and, where appropriate, medical clearance.

Emergency contacts

Every player must have a current emergency contact who can be reached during sessions. Keep these details up to date in the FC Hub.

Emergency response

In an emergency, staff will take reasonable steps to keep the child safe, provide or obtain first aid, and call 000 where needed. If a guardian cannot be reached, staff may authorise reasonable emergency medical assistance.

Ambulance and medical costs

Costs of ambulance transport or medical treatment are the responsibility of the family, subject to any applicable law, health cover or insurance arrangements. Families should maintain their own cover as they see fit.

When a child cannot participate

A child should not attend when unwell or infectious, or when medically restricted from activity. We may also limit or stop participation where we reasonably believe continuing is unsafe for the child or others.

Inherent risk and your rights

Football and futsal carry inherent risks that cannot be eliminated. We take reasonable care to reduce risk. Nothing in this policy excludes rights or guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded.

Staff are not medical practitioners

Our coaches and staff do not diagnose, assess or treat medical conditions. Seek advice from a qualified health professional.