Risk Management Essentials

Introduction: Our Commitment to Safe Netball

Careful risk management practices protect our people and our great game, the two things we care about most.

Every registered club, registered league, approved delivery partner, and netball event has a responsibility to create safe and well-managed environments for participants, officials, volunteers, fans, and spectators.

To help, we provide guidance, tools, and support to manage risk effectively, prevent injuries, and ensure that all registered activity remains protected under our centrally arranged programme of insurance.

Please find some guidance below:

What is Risk Management?

Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and reducing risks to ensure netball remains safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Why It Matters

Prevents accidents and injuries.
Protects clubs, leagues, and volunteers from liability.
Unlocks access to comprehensive insurance cover.

Who is Responsible for Managing Risk?

Everyone involved in netball plays a role in risk management:

Registered netball clubs & leagues work with venues to ensure risk assessments have been completed, carry out pre-session safety checks, and comply with other risk management and safeguarding policies.
Event organisers conduct venue and equipment safety checks before and during play.
Coaches & officials maintain vigilance, report concerns, and ensure compliance.
Participants should be aware of surroundings and follow safety protocols.

Search Duty of Care in the Knowledge Centre to find out more.

The Foundation of Safe Netball

All registered clubs, registered leagues, and netball organisers must conduct risk assessments for every activity type, location, and session to help ensure the safety of participants, officials, and volunteers.

What’s required?

A formal risk assessment must be completed:

At least annually for each activity type, location, and format.
Whenever there is a material change, such as a new venue, different type of session, or updated equipment.

Here’s a template:

A dynamic risk assessment must be carried out:

Before every session to check that conditions are safe for play.
Any new or emerging hazards should be:
- Recorded, along with the actions taken to manage the risk.
- If a hazard cannot be managed safely, the session should not proceed.

Here’s a template:

Risk Assessments should be:

Recorded and stored securely for future reference.
Reviewed and updated after any incidents or near-misses.

Venue and Session Safety Checks

In addition to formal assessments, both venue providers and netball organisers should ensure that:

Playing surfaces and run off spaces are safe, clean, clear of hazards and suitable for netball.
Weather and lighting conditions are appropriate.
There is clear emergency access and first-aid provision on site.
Netball posts and equipment are checked for safety.
All players are fit to participate.
Any hazards identified on the day are addressed before the session begins.

Ongoing Vigilance

Ongoing vigilance is essential throughout the netball session or event. If conditions change, the risk assessment should be revisited. While a full reassessment may not be necessary, any significant changes, such as hazards, or extreme weather, should be addressed promptly.

If needed, take corrective actions (e.g. removing obstacles). If safety cannot be assured, competing clubs or organisers should jointly decide whether to pause or stop the session.

Ultimately, the safety of players, umpires, spectators, and everyone involved should be the top priority.

Accident & Incident Recording

We recommend assigning a designated person within your netball organisation to be responsible for recording any reportable accidents or incidents. Records must be kept for at least six years, and longer where it involves a person under the age of 18 years. Names and addresses of any possible witnesses should also be recorded.

Current legislation does not specify the format of an accident register but the Health and Safety Executive’s Accident Book BI 510 obtainable from His Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO) is frequently used and is approved by the Information Commissioner Office (ICO).

The register must contain the following information relating to all reportable accidents or dangerous occurrences:

Date and time of accident
As regards a person at work:
- Full name
- Occupation
- Nature of injury
- Age
As regards a person not at work:
- Full name
- Status [e.g. customer]
- Nature of injury
- Age
Place where accident occurred
A brief description of the circumstances
Method by which the event was reported

Accident & Incident Reporting

If an accident occurs, follow these steps:

Ensure first aid is provided immediately by a qualified first aider.
Complete an Accident Form, as this may be requested in the event of a claim.
Report serious incidents (hospital referrals, head injuries) to England Netball and our insurance broker using this online form.
Review and update risk assessments based on the incident.

For detailed guidance on the above, view your Summary of Cover, which is available in the member ‘Welcome’ email.

More on Accident & Incident Reporting

It is important that all incidents that may give rise to a claim are reported to our broker, Howden, as soon as possible after the event. This will enable insurers to carry out investigations at an early stage whilst information relating to the claim remains fresh in the mind. This will also ensure that you are complying fully with your policy terms and conditions.

To achieve this, we ask that you notify Howden immediately of any incident that involves:

A fatal accident.
An injury involving either referral to or actual hospital treatment.
Any allegations of libel/slander.
Any allegations of Professional Negligence i.e. arising out of tuition, coaching, or advice given, or breach of copyright.
Any investigation under any child protection legislation (including matters which may trigger your safeguarding policy).
Any circumstance involving damage to third party property.

An injury is defined as:

Any head injury that requires medical treatment.
Any fracture other than to fingers, thumbs, or toes.
Any amputation, dislocation of the shoulder, hip, knee, or spine.
Loss of sight (whether temporary or permanent).
Any injury resulting from electrical shock or burn, leading to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.
Any other injury leading to hypothermia, heat induced illness or to unconsciousness which requires resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours.
Loss of consciousness caused by asphyxia or by exposure to a harmful substance or biological agent.
Any investigation under any child protection legislation (including matters which may trigger your safeguarding policy).
Any circumstance involving damage to third party property.

Please note: this list is not exhaustive. If you’re unsure whether an incident should be reported, contact Howden for advice on 0121 698 8040.

We would remind you that in no circumstances should you admit liability or agree to pay for any damage caused as this may prejudice the position of insurers and could result in the withdrawal of any indemnity.

Finally, please note that this is a Liability policy where insurers decide if negligence attaches to you. Therefore, any payments you make to any third parties will not necessarily be reimbursed.

Information you may have to provide after reporting an incident:

Details of your affiliation to England Netball so membership can be verified.
A copy of your risk assessment.
The accident book entry for the incident.
Witness details.
Photographs of the area where the incident happened and any CCTV or other recording if available.
If you have received any correspondence, letter, claim, writ, or summons please forward to Howden on receipt and unanswered.