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Submission by Craig Sinclair on 06 November 2008.
1. Ensure Australia's continued elite sporting success
No response
2. Better place sport and physical activity as a key component of the Government's preventative health approach
Providing well-designed shade where people engage in sport and physical activity will encourage participation and reduce the health risks of exposure to UV radiation. “I have enjoyed a long career in netball, including playing netball for Australia and various state teams and coaching Malaysia in preparation for the 1998 Commonwealth Games. I am also a skin cancer sufferer, having undergone two procedures to remove skin cancer from my nose including a skin graft. I believe the skin cancer I developed was the direct result of my netball career. I spent my youth playing, coaching and umpiring outdoors for long periods, during peak UV radiation times, when I should have been protected. In those days, our uniforms offered some protection, but there was hardly any shade at the outdoor courts where I played. My eight-year old niece has started Little Athletics and netball, and I wonder whether she will end up with skin cancer like me. I go to watch her play on the outdoor netball courts at Knox where there is minimal shade for spectators or participants. Regarding shade and outdoor sport, I don’t think things have changed much.” Catherine Gillespie, 41. Every year over 1600 Australians die from skin cancer. In those aged 15–44 years, melanoma is one of the most common cancers. The cost to the health system is over $294 million annually. Yet skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers in Australia. Sunburn can occur in 15 minutes on a fine January day if sun protection measures are not used. All types of sunburn can cause permanent and irreversible skin damage and can lead to skin cancer. Shade can create a comfortable environment for participants and spectators by reducing heat. It is generally accepted that Australia will experience a climate that is drier, hotter and has more extreme weather events. A potential health impact of climate change is increased exposure to UV radiation. Changes in climate are predicted to slow the repair of the ozone layer, increasing UV radiation levels and UV exposure. Sport and physical activity –shade is crucial. The 2006-07 National Sun Survey revealed a high proportion of people get sunburnt while engaging in sport and physical activity - 37% of adolescents and 20% of adults got sunburnt participating in active recreation/sport. 39% of adolescents and 17% of adults were burnt at the beach/water/pool. In 2007, almost 60% of Victorians believed adequate shade was hard to find at their local sports grounds. Non-metropolitan residents found it harder to find shade than those in metropolitan areas (62% versus 54%). Adults in higher socioeconomic areas are more likely to use sunscreen and shade than those in lower socioeconomic areas. Public open spaces in lower socioeconomic areas are less likely to have shade and other amenities. Shade is an important form of sun protection because it can reduce overall exposure to UV radiation by up to 75%. SunSmart recommends shade be used with other sun protection measures – clothing, sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. Cancer Council Victoria Recommendations: The lack of shade at sports grounds is an important issue to address to encourage participation in sport and physical activity. 1 New developments for sporting venues, grounds and facilities are required to address shade at the planning stage e.g. a requirement of the tender/grant process is to conduct a shade audit to assess shade in a systematic way and ensure optimum results before development. 2. Establish a grant program so sporting groups/clubs, particularly those most disadvantaged and involve junior participation, can apply to develop natural or built shade. 3. Establish a grant program which enables disadvantaged clubs to access personal protective equipment for coaches, umpires and referees (broad brimmed hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen). This will also provide excellent role modelling for young players -a strong influence on youth sun protection. (Ref supplied on request)
3. Strengthen pathways from junior sport to grassroots community sport right through to elite and professional sport
No response
4. Maintain Australia's cutting edge approach to sports science, research and technology
No response
5. Identify opportunities to increase and diversify the funding base for sport through corporate sponsorship, media and any recommended reforms, such as enhancing the effectiveness of the Australian Sports Foundation
No response
Page last updated: 06 November, 2008