Goal alert project enters stage 3

Stage 1 of the project involved issuing Goalpost Safety notices to all clubs and associations and pre-season information through the Football NSW website and E-News about the safe use, anchoring and storage of portable goalposts in line with Australian Standard AS4866.1 and the importance of ongoing awareness and education this season.     
Stage two commenced in September 2008 and involved auditing all clubs and associations on the number of portable and sleeved goalposts.   The audit has seen pleasing results with now less than 900 full size portable goalposts in FNSW compared with over 2200 in 2003 with many replaced by the Council preferred sleeved type or safer portable alternatives such as PVC, lightweight aluminium or the new popular inflatable i-Goals.     
Stage 3 now involves the design, production and distribution of Goalpost Safety Warning Stickers to all clubs and associations with every full and medium size portable goalpost to have 3 stickers affixed as a mandatory requirement.  The stickers will alert participants, officials and members of the public to the importance of anchoring portable goalposts and the dangers of unsecured posts and climbing or swinging on portable posts.   The stickers will have the wording ?WARNING?ALWAYS ANCHOR GOAL?NEVER CLIMB OR HANG ON CROSSBAR.  Unanchored goals can tip over causing serious injury or death? and will be supplied on special UV rated vinyl adhesive material to ensure longer life in the outdoors environment.
Football NSW Risk Manager, Michelle Hanley who developed and is overseeing the project stated ?the ongoing reduction in the number of full sized heavy portable goals will continue to make our sporting grounds safer and while the project will bring far greater awareness we need to ensure we do not become complacent about the importance of goalpost safety.  The distribution of the safety stickers will commence in May 2009 and with the season in full swing the stickers will play a primary function in what is envisaged to be one of our leading safety initiatives.?
For information about Goalpost Safety and Goalpost Testing Click Here                  
To view the Australian Soccer Goal Standard AS4866.1  Click Here
For information about the new inflatable i-Goal Click Here