Version control: Original 1990 / Updated 1999 / Updated 2003 / Updated 2015
Introduction
You must refer to the Requirements for All Sport and Physical Activity (PDF 466KB) to understand your overall compliance responsibilities.
Where considered appropriate, for example inclusion in a school sport program, parents or caregivers must be informed of full details of the location, supervision to be provided and activities to be undertaken when seeking their written permission.
Teacher/Instructor Qualifications and Experience
The appropriate level of expertise and/or training required to conduct an activity will be dependent on whether the teacher's/instructor's role is one of supervision, instruction or coaching. Other factors to be considered are the nature of the activity, the age, ability and experience of the students involved.
A teacher must be present who has recognised current training in emergency care.
Equipment
All equipment must be in good condition. If defective, it must be removed from use.
Students are to be instructed to wear appropriate footwear. Rubber soled cricket boots or sports shoes are recommended for hard wickets.
Bats must be of an approved design. Bat grips must be in good condition.
Vigoro balls must be of an approved design and must not exceed 134.66 grams in weight - one white, one red.
Wicketkeepers must wear leg pads and gloves.
Batters are permitted to wear:
- Shin pads (up to knee high). Sufficient shin pads must be provided for use by players.
- Helmets.
- Mouth guards.
Boundary markers must be made of non-injurious materials.
A well-equipped medical kit must be readily available.
Venues
The ground surface must be free of obstructions and loose objects.
If mats are used on concrete wickets, they must be in good condition.
Safety
Students should remove jewellery and other ornaments likely to cause injury.
As it is compulsory in Vigoro for batters to run if the ball is hit in front of the batting crease, the mid-on, mid-off and other close-in fielders tend to encroach close to the pitch and the batter. It is essential that:
- Close-in fielders wear mouthguards.
- Fielding restrictions are implemented for school sport. That is, fielders must remain at least ten (10) metres from the batters stumps until the batter strikes the ball.
Spectators and the batting team must be positioned outside the field boundary markers.
Practice nets must be in good condition. Where there is no centre dividing net extending to the stumps at the bowlers end, then extra care must be taken. Safe procedures must be established when using nets:
- A designated area for new batters to pad up
- Picking up, fielding balls in nets, watching the ball etc.
- Wicketkeepers are not to be used whilst batting is taking place
- The nets are to be clear of everyone except the batter before the next ball is bowled.
The number of balls a fast bowler will bowl at practice and during matches must be limited to suit the bowler’s age and development.
Students are to be instructed to use adequate sun protection, e.g. an SPF50+, broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen reapplied regularly and a hat.
Where possible, ice should be available for the treatment of injuries.