The Big Issue

Homeless educated on sport safety

Some of Victoria’s homeless were educated on the principles of sport safety recently to ensure them a place as a volunteer Sports Trainer at this year’s Homeless World Cup.

Ten players and vendors of The Big Issue Street Soccer program all of whom experience homelessness or are in marginalised living arrangements such as couch surfing, participated in a national recognised Sports First Aid and Level One Sports Trainer course run over three weeks.

Delivered by Sports Medicine Australia Victorian Branch in partnership with the Victorian Big Issue Street Soccer Program and the Homeless World Cup, participants were provided with the skills to make sport safer.

“The basic skills of sports taping, nutrition, transporting the injured athlete, injury and crisis management and common sporting illnesses, injuries and medical conditions were learnt by all involved,” said Sports Medicine Australia Victorian Branch Health Programs Manager, Ms Annabel Sides.

“As all course participants are experiencing disadvantage such as homelessness or housing stress it is hoped that the course will not only give them access to knowledge, but also renewed confidence in their abilities and themselves,” said Ms Sides

SMA course presenter and paramedic, Mr David Kelly, commended the participants on their commitment to ensuring safer sporting environments.

“I have delivered First Aid courses over many years and this is one of the most engaged and enthusiastic groups I have worked with. All participants had good practical knowledge and responded well to the course’s competency and skill based learning,” said Mr Kelly.

Many of the course participants will join Sports Medicine Australia Victorian Branch Sports Trainers in supplying medical services at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.

“Sports Medicine Australia Victorian Branch would like to congratulate all participants on their enthusiasm, engagement, positive approach and of course, their dedication to sports safety which will see them excel in their work as sports trainers during the Homeless World Cup,” said Ms Sides.

Sports Medicine Australia Victorian Branch is funded by VicHealth through the Participation in Community Sport and Active Recreation Grant (PICSAR) to pilot the delivery of various sports safety and injury prevention initiatives to help create safer sporting communities in some of Victoria’s diverse and disadvantaged communities.