RISKY BUSINESS
Inappropriate sports listed

Athletes frustated

By CPL Alisha Carr THE response to the ADF Sports Council’s (ADFSC) release of the Inappropriate Sports Listing has left some Defence members angered and frustrated. One association that will be adversely affected by the Inappropriate Sports Listing is the Australian Army Alpine Skiing Association and its President, Major Christopher Harrison, expressed his concern. “I believe to call alpine skiing dangerous is a gross exaggeration,” he said. “I also predict that this year will be the last year we are able to hold the ADF National Alpine Skiing Titles because if COs are unable to release people to compete in the event, we obviously cannot run the competition.” Flying Officer Matt Doyle, of DPO-AF, in a letter to Air Force News, criticised the decision to classify some sports as inappropriate. “The failure of the ADF to promulgate a mature policy on the matter leads me to think that the issues haven’t really been considered,” he said. “What I want to know is, is the ADF now going to ban all of the approved sporting and recreational clubs that exist on every base in Australia for activities such as abseiling, rock-climbing, scuba diving and water skiing? “One certain outcome of reactionary policy making will be the loss of more experienced and valuable personnel, jaded and embittered at yet another erosion to their conditions of service and another unnecessary restriction on their lives.”

By CPL Alisha Carr

THE ADF Sports Council (ADFSC) has responded to concerns about the Inappropriate Sports Listing, which restricts COs in their discretion to authorise the on-duty participation of members in listed sports and activities in off-duty hours.

Chairman of the ADF Sports Council Colonel Andrew Nikolic said the Inappropriate Sports Listing was devised after a period of review and consultation and highlighted an increasing trend of sports-related injuries, rising compensation costs and negative capability impacts.

“There was a clear need to have a fresh look at ADF sport and, in particular, issues like workplace risk assessment, duty of care and Commonwealth liability,” he said.

“The outcomes of this study were endorsed by senior Defence leaders and reflected a desire to ensure that participation by ADF members in sport and recreation activities was founded on an appropriate balance of risk, cost and benefit.”

He said the outcome of the review was a recommendation to publish a list on the ADFSC web site detailing sports and activities that were considered to be “inappropriate” for ADFSC, single-service or CO authorisation.

The web site address is http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/adfsc. Choose the link “list of inappropriate sports”.

After having their memberships revoked by the ADFSC, the Army Alpine Association, ADF Parachute Association, Services Sailing Association (relating to offshore and ocean yachting), Services Water Skiing Association and the Services Gliding Association, will no longer be recognised by Defence.

“The listing does not impact on the conduct of military training, or on a member’s freedom to participate in any sport or activity when not on duty, or on adventurous training activities that are covered by a separate policy.

“As has always been the case, members may engage in any sport or activity during off-duty hours, but must recognise that if they choose to do so without ADF authorisation, they personally accept the risks involved.

“The rationale that underpins this outcome is that while the ADF may gain some benefit from a member’s participation in certain sports or activities, in some cases the benefit is substantially outweighed by potential risks.”

COL Nikolic said given that these risks often occurred in an environment where the ADF had no ability to influence conduct or safety, it was appropriate to consider which risks the ADF was prepared to underwrite.

“The policy does not mean ADF members who are injured while participating in the listed sports are not entitled to free medical cover. It does, however, mean the ADF will not compensate for injuries received while participating in the listed activities.

“It is considered that the current range of sports and recreational activities available to ADF members strikes a reasonable balance between risk, cost and benefit.

“ It is noteworthy that the ADF appears to be the only employer in Australia that continues to deem members on duty and provide worker’s compensation cover to employees who are participating in non-representative sporting activities after hours and outside of work premises.

“This is still the case for a large number of sports that COs may grant duty status for. The policy changes described merely seek to restrict this approval to sports that the ADF feels it gains most benefit from.

“While noting a small number of complaints, I believe current sports policy is consistent with the needs of the majority of members across all age groups.”

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