NRL Sports s Accreditation Scheme 2016 Introduction In 2004, each of the State Leagues under the auspices of the Australian Rugby League - recognised the need for an all encompassing approach to player safety and welfare. As a result, the National Sports s Accreditation Scheme was adopted, and each league moved to have nationally accredited Sports s as a compulsory requirement at junior games across the Country. This was phased in and implemented fully by 2008. The cornerstone of the national scheme was the On-field Policy covering all critical aspects of the management of injury or illness on the playing field. The initiative proved to be wise in the following seasons as government legislation evolved to the point where sporting organisations assumed similar responsibilities to workplaces in terms of being responsible for the health and safety of its participants, its volunteers, and spectators. NRL On-Field Policy The intent of the NRL s Sports Policy is to ensure that all Rugby League clubs across Australia have appropriate injury management procedures in place. The Policy outlines that for all Rugby League matches from under 6 s through to under 12 s there must be a minimum of one NRL Level 1 Sports per match in attendance, with matches involving 13 s and above requiring one per team. For representative matches, the Policy requires a minimum of one NRL Level 2 Sports in attendance. The policy can be located at http://www.playnrl.com/get-involved/sports-trainer/documents/ Delivery Partners In 2016, the NRL is pleased to welcome Sports Medicine Australia and Vital First Aid as delivery partners for the NRL Sports Courses. The partnership will provide course candidates with access to the highest quality education in the first aid and sports medicine fields. Sports Medicine Australia will be responsible for the delivery of all NRL Level 1 Sports Courses. Vital First Aid will be responsible for the delivery of all Level 2 Sports Courses and all Reaccreditation Courses. Whilst these partners have been engaged in the delivery of the aforementioned courses, the process for course candidates will continue to be streamlined through www.playnrl.com with all relevant information available via this site. Course Registrations Course information, registration, and payment for all NRL Sports courses is located on the Upcoming Courses page of www.playnrl.com Course Summary Leaguesafe Level 1 Sports Level 2 Sports
Course Time Cost Qualification Received Re-accreditation Leaguesafe Level 1 Sports Level 2 Sports Level 1 Sports Reaccreditation Level 2 Sports Reaccreditation Online Course 16 Hours In Course 25 Hours supervised training 16 Hours In Course Post Course Assignments $20 NRL Leaguesafe N/A $180 $350 6-8 Hours $80 6 8 Hours $80 NRL Level 1 Sports Provide First Aid (HLTAID003) Implement sports injury prevention (SISSPT201A) Tape ankle, thumbs, and fingers (SISSSPT304A) Provide initial management of a sports injury (SISSPT302A) Deal with medical conditions in a sports setting (SISSPT306A) NRL Level 2 Sports Conduct basic warm up and cool down programs (SISSPT303A) Conduct advanced taping (SISSPT307A) Follow work health & safety policies (SISXWHS101) Provide drugs in sport information (SISSSCO306) Undertake risk analysis of activities (SISXRSK301A) Level 1 Sports Reaccreditation Provide First Aid (HLTAID003) Level 2 Sports Reaccreditation Provide First Aid (HLTAID003) Level 1 Sports needs to be reaccredited within 3 years. Perform CPR (HLTAID001) must be updated annually. Level 2 Sports needs to be reaccredited within 3 years. Perform CPR (HLTAID001) must be updated annually. Every 3 years Every 3 years CPR Update 2 Hours $60 Perform CPR (HLTAID001) Annually Leaguesafe Course This online awareness course is designed to create a safe and healthy Rugby League environment, and is meant to advise and prepare on-field personnel other than Accredited Sports s of what to look for in an injured/ill player; what to do and what not to do until a qualified person arrives, and general safety and care procedures for players. The Leaguesafe course instructs on how to apply the correct safety procedures during your involvement as an on-field trainer or on-field attendant of the game. There are many attendants who assist in some way by entering the field of play to administer water, relay messages etc. Leagesafe accreditation is the minimum requirement to enter the field of play as set down by the NRL On-Field Policy. To complete the Leaguesafe course click http://www.playnrl.com/get-involved/sportstrainer/leaguesafe/
Level 1 Sports Delivery Partner: Sports Medicine Australia Duration: the Level 1 Sports Course is conducted over 16 hours Cost: $180 Post Course Requirements: all candidates are required to complete on the job supervised training to obtain their full qualification. Qualifications Received: all candidates will receive an NRL Level 1 Sports s Certificate with the following units of competency: o Provide First Aid (HLTAID003) o Implement sports injury prevention (SISSPT201A) o Tape ankle, thumbs, and fingers (SISSSPT304A) o Provide initial management of a sports injury (SISSPT302A) o Deal with medical conditions in a sports setting (SISSPT306A) Course Modules: all candidates will complete the following modules: 1. The Role of the Sports 2. Safety in Rugby League 3. Assessing the Injured/Ill Player 4. Management of Soft Tissue Injuries 5. Management of Fractures/Dislocations 6. Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation 7. Management of Bleeding and Infection Control 8. Management of Head and Spinal Injuries 9. Management of Specific Medical Conditions 10. Introduction to Basic Taping and Bandaging Techniques 11. Poisons, Bites & Stings 12. Environmental Injuries Reaccreditation: All course participants will need to complete a reaccreditation course prior to their qualification expiring. If the qualification lapses, candidates will need to complete the entire course again. Level 2 Sports Delivery Partner: Vital First Aid Duration: the Level 2 Sports Course is conducted over 16 hours Cost: $350 Post Course Requirements: all candidates are required to complete course assignments Qualifications Received: all candidates will receive an NRL Level 2 Sports s Certificate with the following units of competency: o Conduct basic warm up and cool down programs (SISSPT303A) o Conduct advanced taping (SISSPT307A) o Follow work health & safety policies (SISXWHS101) o Provide drugs in sport information (SISSSCO306) o Undertake risk analysis of activities (SISXRSK301A) Course Modules: all candidates will complete the following modules: 1. Drugs in Sport 2. Conducting Warm up & Cool Downs
3. Assessing Risks 4. Following Health & Safety Principles 5. Advanced Taping Reaccreditation: All course participants will need to complete a reaccreditation course prior to their qualification expiring. If the qualification lapses, candidates will need to complete the entire course again. Recognition of Prior Learning Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available to all candidates and will be assessed on a case by case basis. The NRL and its Registered Training Organisations comply with the standards set by the respective Skills Council. In terms of First Aid, that means the Community Service and Health Industry Skills Council. In terms of Sports Certificate III, that means the Service Skills Council both independent bodies to the NRL. Any, and all decisions on RPL, are made in line with the guidelines provided by these independent bodies. To apply for Recognition of Prior Learning, visit www.playnrl.com and upload copies of your qualification.
Sports Flowchart Use the following flow chart to help determine what you need to do to become accredited, or to maintain your accreditation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the NRL Sports Scheme: 1. Why do we have to have an NRL accredited Sports supervise the game? Current government legislation requires someone with training in First Aid and proven knowledge of safe practises to be on hand whenever there is a risk of injury or illness. The NRL Sports accreditation process ensures the person assigned to that task has the required levels of qualification. Without someone appropriately qualified there is an inherent risk that serious harm could come to a player if the proper initial management of an injury or illness is not immediately available when the injury or illness occurs. 2. What happens if our club plays games without an NRL accredited Sports supervising the games? In the event of a serious injury it could come down to a number of possibilities - a civil action from the affected player to compensate him / her for a neglect of reasonable care or, criminal proceedings if the neglect results in an avoidable tragedy. NRL Policy dictates that games cannot proceed without an accredited NRL Sports in attendance. 3. Why does the NRL On-field Policy stipulate more than one Sports on duty for games played under International Laws (i.e. 13 years and above)? There is an accepted increase in the risk of serious injuries once players graduate from the Modified Games level of Rugby League to the International Laws level. In order for play to continue (should one Sports be occupied monitoring an injured player and unable to personally supervise the play), the presence of a second qualified Sports on duty allows for a serious injury to be managed immediately that it occurs. 4. What qualifications does a Sports have to possess? NRL Sports s require a minimum qualification of HLTAID003 Provide First Aid (or equivalent) plus partial completion of Sports Certificate 3. 5. How long does it take to complete the NRL Level 1 Sports course? 16 hours face to face and then 25 hours of practical experience supervised by an appropriately accredited trainer or medical practitioner. 6. 16 hours is too long why does it take 16 hours? The standards set under the Australian Quality Training Framework for the course components prevent the learning time being reduced. 16 hours is not too long to make the sport safer for our players consider the safety of your own children; what amount of time required is satisfactory to ensure their safety? 7. What certificates does an NRL Sports receive, and when? Upon completing the entire process of the face to face course plus 25 hours supervised on the job, the NRL Sports receives a Statement of Attainment for HLTAID003 Provide First Aid as well as a Statement of Attainment for partial completion of Sports Certificate 3. The First Aid certificate is sent in approximately 2-3 weeks, while the Sports accreditation is dependent on when the on the job experience is completed and the confirmation lodged.
8. If I have an existing similar qualification do I still need to do the whole course? Regulations dictate that anyone with equivalent qualifications is entitled to recognised prior learning (RPL). In most cases that can reduce the face to face component to about 8 hours (and in some cases even less). 9. Who qualifies for recognition of prior learning? (1) Anyone with a current nationally recognised First Aid qualification issued by a Registered Training Organisation with at least 12 months left before the expiry date; (2) Anyone qualified with Sports Certificate 3; anyone qualified with Sport, Fitness and Recreation Certificate 3; 10. Who sets the criteria for which qualifications are accepted for prior learning? Registered Training Organisations comply with the standards set by the respective skills council. In terms of First Aid, that means the Community Service and Health Industry Skills Council. In terms of Sports Certificate 3, that means the Service Skills Council both independent bodies to the NRL. 11. What is the process for recognition of prior learning? Upload a copy of your certificate via the Recognised Prior Learning link http://www.playrugbyleague.com.au/recognition-of-prior-learning-sports-trainer/. Your application will be reviewed and a letter outlining the results of that review will be sent to you via email. 12. Does a nursing degree qualify for recognition of prior learning? Nursing and other similar degrees do not automatically qualify for First Aid based on the guidelines set by the relevant industry skills council. In order for RPL to be granted to a nurse, a mapping document needs to be compiled proving where the clinical expertise practised by the nurse equates to managing an injury or illness in a sport setting. The process required to analyse that submission plus the costs deters most RTO s and most applicants. 13. What paperwork needs to be completed from a Sports course? There are assessment documents for the courses that represent the evidence of learning specific to (a) the First Aid components of the course, and (b) the learning specific to the Sports Certificate 3 skill set. The course has been developed to allow the documents to be completed as part of the 16 hours face to face component. After the face to face component has been completed, then a document confirming that 25 hours of experience in a preliminary Sports capacity needs to be signed off by a supervisor and lodged before full accreditation is awarded. 14. My Sports accreditation has expired do I have to re-sit the whole course? In most cases the answer is yes. A current First Aid qualification is obligatory for every NRL Sports and maintaining your First Aid qualification through the workplace (or similar) can be utilised as RPL towards an expired accreditation. If you have not been able to reaccredit due to there being no course reasonably accessible in your situation, then a written submission outlining those reasons needs to be lodged for review by the RTO.
15. How can I reaccredit if I didn t attend the local course? You will need to attend a course at the next nearest location as soon as possible. Alternatively, you will need to source the required update in First Aid and demonstrate current skills in the sport-specifics through a commercial RTO. 16. Do I need to update my CPR? How often? Delegated 1 st aid personnel need to update their CPR skills annually as part of the 1 st aid code of practise. CPR updates can be undertaken with any Registered Training Company with 1 st aid on their scope of training. The NRL allows CPR updates to be included in either full courses or reaccreditation courses or CPR courses can run as a stand-alone course for a minimal cost to each participant. 17. I work in a hospital and get assessed for CPR annually by the hospital anyway. Are you saying I need to do CPR annually with a Registered Training Company? The 1 st aid code of practise stipulates a nationally accredited training course or an equivalent level of training for anyone appointed to deliver 1 st aid. If the hospital you work at has the capacity to award a Statement of Attainment for a nationally recognised CPR qualification or is recognised as having the capacity to deliver an equivalent level of training then your club can accept you are appropriately upskilled. 18. Is this Sports s Scheme just another way for the NRL to make money from the volunteers who support the game? The cost for a full course at $180 per participant has no margin for profit in fact where course numbers are small the applicable NRL Region subsidises the delivery of the course as a result. The cost for Re-accreditation at $80 is below the cost for most RTO s to issue Statements of Attainment for a 1 st aid qualification this is intended as a reward / incentive for the volunteer s continued service to the game. 19. Why is Rugby League asking clubs to have this level of education? What do other sports do? All sports in Australia have a legal responsibility to provide a safe environment for the participants, volunteers and spectators as is reasonably practicable. The standards required must reflect the risk of injury or illness involved. It is up to each sport to assess their risk of injury or illness and take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the people involved. Rugby League is continually assessed through research projects and consultation with the affiliated bodies to ensure the sport meets the highest possible standards of safety. Whenever a risk is identified through research or consultation, then policies and practises are immediately adjusted to reasonably address the risk present. The Safeplay Code, Leaguesafe, and compulsory accreditations are all examples of Rugby League s strategy to prevent injury or illness. Using Registered Training Companies to certify Sports education courses ensures our Code meets nationally recognised standards for the safety of its participants. 20. Why do I need to do on the job training if I ve already done the face to face training? There will be a range of scenarios that the Rugby League Sports will be confronted with. There are a number of game-specific policies set down to ensure player safety. Having an experienced Sports supervise your initial experience provides a safeguard for the players and provides support for you as a Sports should you encounter a serious
situation that your inexperience may not equip you to manage easily. It also confirms the game is taking reasonable steps to ensure suitably qualified people manage injury or illness. 21. Who can sign off on my on-the-job hours? An NRL accredited Sports. If there are no accredited Sports s within your club speak to your local NRL ST Course Provider or Game Development Officer and arrange an alternative.