Asthma Aware Policy

RATIONALE

Over 300,000 South Australians have asthma, affecting 1 in 4 children, in 1 in 7 teenagers and 1 in 10 adults. It is estimated that up to 80 % of these will experience symptoms during physical activity. Community education and correct management will assist to minimize the impact of asthma.

Little Athletics Centres can play a key role in providing a safe and supportive environment for members and visitors with asthma. With this in mind, SA Little Athletics recognises the need to educate its members, coaches, trainers, staff and volunteers about Asthma triggers and to promote responsible asthma management strategies.

It is recommended that all people with asthma regularly consult with their Doctor regarding their daily asthma management. However, to reduce the likelihood of an asthma emergency, during a SA Little Athletics Event and to ensure prompt treatment of an asthma emergency, strategies will be put in place to support the person with asthma.

AIMS

The Asthma and Sport Policy aims to:

Raise the awareness of asthma within SA Little Athletics.
Implement the necessary strategies to ensure the health and safety of all members with asthma at Centres/Clubs.
Provide an environment in which members with asthma can participate fully in all available activities.
Communicate a clear set of guidelines and expectations to be followed with regard to the management of asthma.

OUR COMMITMENT

SA Little Athletics is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for people with asthma to attend and participate in the sport of Little Athletics. Asthma management should also be viewed as a shared responsibility. To create a supportive environment, each of the key groups within SA little Athletics are committed to the following undertakings:

Coaches and Officials will be encouraged to:

Participate in accredited asthma first aid training programs
Be aware of members with asthma within their care
Encourage members to implement strategies to reduce the impact of Exercise Induced Asthma
Where necessary, modify activities in accordance with a member’s needs.
Promptly communicate any concerns to the members or member’s partner/carer should it be considered that a member’s asthma is limiting his/her ability to participate fully in all activities.

Members and Volunteer Officials/Coaches/Administration will be encouraged to:

Take responsibility for their own health and safety
Implement strategies to reduce the impact of Exercise Induced Asthma
Ensure they carry or have available appropriate reliever medication at all times
Take reliever medication as soon as symptoms develop, only resuming activity when symptom free
Wherever practical, self administer their reliever medication
Wherever practical discuss all relevant information and concerns regarding their asthma with their coach, official or Committee Member as the need arises
See their doctor for a review of their asthma management if they are relying on reliever medication more than 3 times per week (apart from warm up procedures)
If eligible for drug testing, and taking asthma medication, check the drug policy of the relevant National Sporting Organisation or contact the Drugs in Sport Hotline on 1800 020 506.

Parents/carers will be encouraged to:

Provide and update as required, all relevant information regarding the junior members asthma via the Asthma Record Card at the commencement of each season
Ensure that their child has an adequate supply of appropriate medication (eg reliever) at all times
Communicate all relevant information and concerns regarding asthma with the coach, official or committee member as the need arises.

The Committee/Management will be encouraged to:

Provide all coaches, officials and Executive with a copy of the Asthma Aware Policy upon commencement
Provide all members with asthma a copy of the Asthma Aware Policy via the newsletter
Ensure that an appropriate number of coaches, trainers and staff have current accreditation in emergency asthma management
Formalise and document the internal procedures for emergency asthma management
Display an emergency Asthma Fist Aid poster in key locations
Ensure that all coaches and officials are aware of members with asthma in their teams or squads or centre
Ensure that an appropriate number of Asthma First Aid Kits are available and maintained
Provide a mobile asthma First Aid Kit for use at external sporting venues
Ensure that the Asthma First Aid Kit is correctly maintained by an accredited person or member
Encourage the use of Asthma Record Cards for all junior members with asthma. These to be filled out at the commencement of each season by their parent/carer in consultation with their doctor and kept in a central accessible location
Provide an environment that is low allergy and asthma friendly, including the provision of a smoke-free environment
Provide members and their families with access to information regarding asthma management
Ensure telephone access at every venue and event for the calling of emergency personnel
Include the Asthma Aware Policy in Risk Management Guidelines.

This Asthma Aware Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that the document remains current and practical to the Centres/Clubs requirements