Infectious Disease Policy

It is strongly recommended that the following people involved in contact or collision sports be informed of this policy and adopt its recommendations:

• team physicians
• other sports medicine staff
• coaches
• referees
• team managers
• administrators
• players and their parents

For health care professionals, information on Hepatitus B vaccination accompanies this policy document or may be obtained by contacting the Sports Medicine Australia National or State Offices or local GP.

Download “Infectious Disease Policy”

Blood Rules, OK

Individuals and sporting clubs have the responsibility of playing their part in preventing the spread of infection through participation in sport. Players, officials, coaches, sports trainers and first aiders can be blood aware by following some simple guidelines and encouraging each other to do likewise. Clubs can be blood aware by adopting an infectious disease policy, providing information such as the pamphlet in the Blood Rules, OK kit to players, and maintaining a safe and clean environment for players and spectators alike.

In the light of HIV and other blood-borne viruses, attitudes to blood on the field or court have changed considerably in the past ten to twenty years. A Blood Rules booklet has been written to help people understand blood-borne viruses and other infectious diseases, how they are transmitted and what actions can be taken to prevent their spread through participation in sport. To download the Booklet, please click on the following link.

Blood Rules OK Booklet
Blood Rules OK Pamphlet

*NB. SMA no longer has any of the Blood Rules OK Video Kits.

If you or your Club would like some copies of the Blood Rules OK pamphlet, please send SMA an email with you or your club’s details including Name, Address and contact details.