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Unit 6: Risk Management

injury to a player, sport official, or spectator as a result of collisions between players or Notes
collisions of a player with a solid structures in the sports arena.

Being struck by a projectile such as a javelin, cricket ball, or hockey puck that emanates
from the sporting arena.
Being crushed by a riotous crowd at a soccer match Lightning strike at golf.
Extreme environmental conditions in a yacht race, or balloon race.
The risk of “detriment” does not involve injury to something living. It generally means some
form of economic loss, which might indeed include a valuation of harm to living things but
which also includes damage of a much wider kind. In a sport and recreation organisation, a
‘detriment’ could involve:
Losing a sponsor as a result of a poorly organised tournament
Repeated cases of athletes testing positive in doping controls and result bad publicity
A split of the organisation into two political factions that are unable to work together
Theft of important assets owned by the organisation
Team members arriving too late at the venue and being unable to compete
Managers of sport and recreation organisations are expected to be conversant in risk management
theory, and to be able to identify and manage risks so that the probability of harm or detriment
occurring is less and/or the consequences of risk are reduced. Pressure is brought to bear on sporting
organisations to engage in and take seriously risk management. The pressure comes in the form of:
Legislation in workplace health and safety, and other legal principles such as the ‘duty of care’
An exclusion from government funding for organisations that are unable to demonstrate
that they have a risk management plan.
Sport and recreation is a risky business, and it is therefore mandatory for sport managers
to have a good understanding of the concept of risk and to engage in risk management.

Task Being the manager of an sports event concern, what will be your responsibilities?

6.2 Risks Associated with Events

All recreation organisations should engage in a continual process of examination and review of
their existing events to ensure that the environment is safe for participants, officials, volunteers
and spectators.

This process of examination becomes even more important in the planning process for new
events. A failure to assess the risks involved in events can be disastrous as a result of:

Risks of Injury

Injury to humans - athletes, coaches, referees, officials and spectators

Injuries to animals i.e. horses, livestock, other domesticated animals, wildlife
Risks of Reputation

Loss of an organisation or individual’s good name i.e. acquires a negative image
Community outrage over drugs in sport and cheating in a sport

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