Sports Resources > Latest sports news > November 2008 > 14/11/2008 - INNOVATION TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT NSW SPORTS SAFETY AWARDS

14/11/2008 - INNOVATION TAKES CENTRE STAGE AT NSW SPORTS SAFETY AWARDS

NSW Sport and Recreation Minister Kevin Greene has congratulated the winners of the 2008 NSW Sports Safety Awards at a black-tie ceremony held at Olympic Park tonight.

The awards recognise achievement in the research and prevention of sports injuries as well as the adoption of safe sport practices by sporting organisations and schools.

Mr Greene spoke and presented the awards to a diverse range of recipients, from major sporting organisations to schools, universities and regional clubs. More than 200 people attended.

"24 awards were presented this year across nine categories that include injury prevention promotion programs, implementation of safe sport practices and outstanding achievements in sports injury research," Mr Greene said.

"At a community level, sport brings together people from different communities and provides for an ongoing healthy lifestyle. "The research, programs and initiatives highlighted by these awards will encourage safe sporting participation across the State," he said. Winners on the night included Surf Life Saving NSW, again a gold medal winner for the expansion of its On the Same Wave program and developing a resource kit in 18 languages to promote safety and diversity on the beaches across Australia. Emerton Leisure Centre won a gold medal for their Waterwise project, which involved training Aboriginal lifeguards and provided swimming lessons for Indigenous mothers and babies.

Seven schools collected awards for educating children about safe sport and recreation practices.

Jasper Road Public School (Baulkham Hills) and Presbyterian Ladies' College, (Croydon) were joint gold winners for their Safe inclusion and participation program where sports programs are safely modified to cater for physically disabled children.

The Scots School at Bathurst took out a gold medal for their Aquatic and Sun Safety Program that involves mandatory life saving courses for years 7 to 10.

The sport of rugby league scored a trifecta in the category for Outstanding implementation of safe sport practices for club with Penrith and Districts Rugby background image League and South Sydney District Juniors taking out medals for safe sports medicine programs.

NSW Rugby League - Little League was recognised for its skills program, which involved a series of safe tackling clinics.

Dragon Boats NSW won gold for developing their sweep accreditation program.

Mr Greene said five research awards were presented for projects that ranged from studying the musculoskeletal impact of loading and injury in recreational gymnastics, to research into the development of the incidence of mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) among non-professional rugby players.

NSW Finance Minister Joe Tripodi said the NSW Sporting Injuries Committee will continue to work hard to improve safety in sport.

"Participation in sport plays an important part in promoting a healthy community, and it is rewarding to see sports safety being taken seriously," Mr Tripodi said.

"Safety in sport should always be at the forefront of our minds and I commend the schools, community sports groups and individuals for their outstanding achievements.

"By helping us reduce injuries though research and innovation we can work to increase sports participation," he said.

The 2008 awards were presented by the NSW Sporting Injuries Committee, a non-profit statutory organisation, which provides sports insurance and promotes injury prevention and safe sport practices within the NSW community.

A list of all award winners, and more information on the NSW Sporting Injuries Committee can be found at www.sportinginjuries.nsw.gov.au or by calling (02) 4321 5392.

Categories and names of winners to follow.

2008 Sports Safety Award Winners
Outstanding Education and Promotion of Safe Sport Practices (school)
· Gold Scots School, Bathurst
· Silver John Therry Catholic High School
· Bronze Hanwood Public School and Newtown High School

Outstanding Education and Promotion of Safe Sport Practices (club)
· Gold Emerton Leisure Centre
· Silver Sailability NSW ­ Port Stephens Branch
· Bronze Western NSW Region Special Schools Sport and Recreation, Bathurst

Outstanding Education and Promotion of Safe Sport Practices (regional)
· Gold NSW Department of Sport and Recreation - Central Coast Region
· Silver Western Region Academy of Sport, Bathurst
· Bronze Northern Inland Academy of Sport, Tamworth

Outstanding Education and Promotion of Safe Sport Practices (state)
· Gold Surf Life Saving NSW
· Silver The Royal Life Saving Society of Australia ­ NSW Branch
· Bronze Sports Medicine Australia, NSW Branch

Outstanding Implementation or Adoption of Safe Sport Practices (school)
· Gold Jasper Road Public School (Baulkham Hills) and Presbyterian Ladies College Croydon
· Bronze Penrith Anglican College

Outstanding Implementation or Adoption of Safe Sport Practices (club)
· Gold Penrith and Districts Junior Rugby League
· Silver South Sydney District Junior Rugby Football League
· Bronze ARL Development, NSW Rugby League

Outstanding Implementation or Adoption of Safe Sport Practices (state)
· Gold Dragon Boats NSW
· Silver Deaf Football Australia
· Bronze Riding for the Disabled Association NSW

Outstanding Achievement in Applied Research by a Research Team
· Gold University of NSW ­ Sports Safety Policy Research Team
· Silver Australian Catholic University - Centre for physical activity across the lifespan
· Bronze Sydney Orthopaedic Research Institute

Best New NSW Talent in Applied Sports Medicine Research

The David Garlick Memorial Scholarship
· Gold Lauren Burt ­ Australian Catholic University and Stephanie Hollis ­ The George Institute