FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Sport Trainer?

Sports Trainers are the product of SMA’s Safer Sport Programs.  SMA developed the Safer Sport Program (SSP) with the philosophy of providing a safe environment for all Australians who engage in sport and to maximise involvement in physical activity.

Sports Medicine Australia aims to achieve this by providing educational courses for all people involved or interested in sport with a distinct emphasis on gaining practical skills, such as sports injury prevention, immediate injury management, and crisis management techniques, which can be used in a sporting environment.

The Sports Trainer provides a crucial link between the coaches, players and health professionals.

The Sports Trainer’s prime responsibility is to make sport safer . This is achieved by:

• Implementing appropriate injury prevention protocols
• Preparing players for competition
• Providing the appropriate immediate management of injuries
• Providing immediate crisis management of severe injuries
• Informed referral of injuries to a more qualified health professional for further advice and management
• Working in conjunction with health professionals (e.g. physiotherapists or GPs) to ensure a safe return to play for injured players
• Educating players and coaches in relation to returning to play after an injury.

How do I become a SMA Sports Trainer?

The first priority is to obtain a Sports First Aid Certificate.  Every sports trainer must have a current Sports First Aid Certificate or alternatively a Senior First Aid Certificate.  SMA Queensland offers Sports First Aid courses in numerous Qld regions through out the year.   This qualification must be renewed every 3 years.

After obtaining your Sports First Aid certificate, subsequently complete an SMA Level 1 Sports Trainer (L1ST) Course.  Like most of SMA courses, the L1ST course is available numerous times throughout the year.  Optionally, if you would prefer to fast track to becoming a qualified Sports Trainer you can choose to do the Combined Course.  This course combines both the Sports First Aid Course and the L1ST Course.

If you would like to expand your career opportunities and knowledge the Level 2 Sports Trainer (L2ST) course is a desirable choice.  The L2ST course is a progression from the L1ST course.  This course is designed to increase the Sports Trainer’s knowledge of the general principles of sports medicine as well as introducing new topics such as psychology of injury, rehabilitation principles, advanced taping and drugs in sport.

For L2ST course entry Sports Trainers must have held a L1ST Accreditation for at least 6 months and have gained 50 hours of practical experience to qualify for entry into the L2ST course. Competent participants are issued a 3 year Accreditation.

How do I go about getting insurance?

Comprehensive insurance for Sports Trainers is available as part of the SMA Sports Trainer and Membership package.  In the present sporting environment, Professional Indemnity Insurance is not merely a preference; it is essential. Sports Medicine Australia has established a combined Sports Trainer Membership and Insurance package that provides comprehensive protection at low cost.

What are the benefits of SMA Sports Trainer Membership and Insurance?

Sports Trainer Membership is valuable to all accredited Sports Trainers.

Benefits include:

• Sports Trainer Insurance
• 15% Discount on Asics products at Rebel Sport stores (New)
• Subscription to Sport Health

• Subscription to Soft Tissue Therapy eMag  (New)

• Discount on SMA publications and other merchandise
• Free SmartPlay injury prevention material  (New)
• Reduced cost for registration to SMA Conferences… and much more
• Member Benefits Program – for more information see www.memberbenefits.com.au/sma/

What does the Sports Trainer Insurance Policy cover?

The Sports Insurance policy for Sports Trainers has 2 components:

1. Sports Liability Cover:

• Public Liability ($10 Million)
• Products Liability ($10 Million)
• Professional Indemnity ($10 Million)

2. Personal Accident Cover:

• Capital Benefits (Death and total disablement $70,000)
• Loss of Income ($300 a week up to 52 weeks)
• Medical Benefits (non Medicare costs up to $1,500)

How do I become a SMA Sports Trainer Member?

To be eligible for Sports Trainer Membership, you must be currently accredited with SMA (eg as a Level 1 Sports etc). Please ring the National Office of SMA (02) 8116 9815 if you are unsure of the status of your accreditation.

To download a Sports Trainer Membership application from in PDF format please Click Here .  Otherwise, contact SMA for an application form to be faxed, emailed or posted. You can also apply over the phone, just have your credit card details ready and phone SMA Qld at (07) 3367 2700.

Sports Trainer Members must abide by the Sports Trainer Code of Ethics.

How often does my Sports First Aid Certificate need to be renewed?

Sports First Aid / Senior First Aid certificates are valid for 3 years from, after which time they must be renewed to ensure that first aid skills are current and up to date. However, CPR certificates must be renewed annually as this is a requirement of the Australian Resuscitation Council, which is a national organisation that sets the standards regarding CPR competencies and certification.

Why do I need to reaccredit every 3 years? I’ve been a Sports Trainer so long I know everything!

To ensure that all accredited Sports Trainers knowledge are currently competent and that their knowledge is up to date it is a strict policy and procedure that ALL Sports Trainers reaccreditate their skills every 3 years.  If you fail to reaccredit by your L1ST due date the must be complete the course again. If you fail to renew both your Sports First Aid and your Accreditation, you have to complete the Combined Course. These rules apply to all Sports Trainers regardless of how many years of experience they may have.

What does Sports Trainer reaccreditation involve?

The reaccreditation takes place in a practical exam that takes about 3 hours.  The Sports Trainer also must have written proof from employing sporting organisations that demonstrates that at least 50 hours of work as a sports trainer has been completed over the 3-year period, as well as a current CPR certification.

Tip: Keep a record of any relevant continuing education dates or skills updates that you have attended, and also a note when your reaccreditation is due.

How can SMA help me find organisations that need Sports Trainer services?

Sports Trainer Wanted advertisments are listed on the SMA Qld website. Advertisements are provided by organisations around your area to inform you of their events you require Sports Medicine coverage. You can use this information to contact organisations if you are able to work at these events.

• Sports Trainers Wanted advertisments

How do I become eligible to advertise my Sports Trainer Contact details on the SMA Queensland website?

SMA Queensland provides SMA members with a free online SMA Sports Medicine Services Directory.  Once you are a member of SMA you can download the Coverage authorisations for website application form and return it to the SMA Queensland Branch office, and your details will be advertised free of charge in this directory.

What resources do I need when communicating with Sporting Organisations?

So now you have either been contacted by an organisation or you have responded to a coverage ad, this is the time you need to get as much information about the event as you can.  We recommend that you write down a list of questions for the organisation regarding the event.

It is good idea to keep two copies of this sheet after filling it out; one to put on file for future references and one to take with you (this should also be done with any invoices/ important documents to keep for future references and peace of mind).

You can also purchase Sports Trainer work supplies from here

Tip: Purchase a file folder and keep your work information organised at all times.

What sort of supplies do I need?

A few suggestions are:

• Table, tent, or First Aid Station of some kind- a convenient location can be discussed with the individual organisation based on the event.
• Ice- please discuss with the organisation if you need to provide ice or if the event will have some on hand for injury use.  Ice cannot be blocks or large chips because it must be able to be arranged around an odd shaped body part. Be sure they know this if they are providing the ice.  If you arrange to bring your own please make note they will be reimbursed for the ice or if it is part of your pay.
• Stretchers are sometimes needed in an emergency.  Please discuss the location of one if provided or the organisations protocol if one is not available.
• The Sports Trainer often provides the First Aid Kit.  Supplies such as tape and gloves should be discussed with the event co-ordinator.

As a Sports Trainer, who am I responsible for?

Be sure to discuss whom you will be treating.  Are you in charge of just the athletes or will you have to treat those in the crowd as well? Are you to keep an eye both teams or just one? (Sports Trainers usually treat umpires with or without specific instructions to do so)

What emergency information do I need to know?

Some important information you’ll need includes:

• Contact information
• Where the local hospital is and how long it takes to get there.
• What the directions are to give to emergency personnel if needed.
• What the easiest access to the field by emergency personnel; is there a gate with a key? Who has the key and will it be open on the day of the event?
• Sports Trainers should always fill out an injury report form after treating an injury- always ask if the organisation wants a copy, or if there is someone to be contact if/when an emergency occurs. Who is that person and what are their contact details?
• A particular doctor in the area the organisation wishes to refer athletes too.

Blue Card Information

Please refer to the Commission for children and young people and child guardian website for more information.

For a Blue Card Application Click here