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WARNING: PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
This is not a substitute for legal or medical fund advice and parents are strongly advised to satisfy themselves as to the actual position regarding their son(s) cover, by talking with your health fund or family doctor. You should also review the insurance cover to satisfy that your son (and you) is adequately covered.
A recent case in Queensland highlights the need to understand just what your son is covered for, when playing Rugby for Marist College.
In that instance a High School student suffered permanent nerve damage in a game of Rugby. It was only when his parents sought compensation that they learned that Qld (government) School students are not covered for sporting injuries, even in cases of organised games. This came as a complete surprise to many and points up the need for parents to fully understand the nature of cover that is provided to your son(s), and not to take this issue for granted.
It is, therefore, important to spell out to parents the arrangements in place at Marist College, Canberra.
As a component of the registration fees paid, all boys playing organised Rugby for Marist College are covered under the umbrella of the Catholic Schools insurance scheme, which is recognised by the Australian Rugby Union. Players playing in school organised competitions outside of our normal club competition will similarly be covered in the event of an injury. There are often grey areas where boys play for other teams or in games that are not necessarily officially organised, outside of school.
Equally coaches, managers and other volunteers are covered by the College's insurance cover. The College's Sports policy says:
COLLEGE INSURANCE POLICIES WHICH APPLY TO SPORTING ACTIVITIES
Marist College Canberra holds the following insurance policies with Catholic Church Insurances Limited:
Public Liability Policy 02 PLS 102552
The policy is issued in the name of the Trustees of the Marist Brothers and provides indemnity to Marist College Canberra covering the insured’s legal liability.
The insured includes any student, employee or voluntary worker of Marist College Canberra participating in any authorised College sporting activity and covers the College against claims in relation to personal injury and property damage as a result of negligence by any person whilst acting on behalf of the College and within the scope of their duties.
Student Accident policy 02 PAE 02 105859
This policy is issued to Marist College Canberra and provides compensation for all enrolled students injured during any school activity,
including school sports held outside of school hours, provided that the sport has been approved by the College and is under the care and control of the
College Authority.
Details of the extent of the cover are to be found in the CCI School Care Policy.
Download the product information sheet for brief details or for more information review the website at: http://www.ccinsurances.com.au/html/school_care.htm
Voluntary Workers policy 02 PAV 103047
This policy is issued to Marist College Canberra and provides benefits to injured voluntary workers, involved in activities such as
fundraising, working-bee teams and parents providing supervision on camps, excursions or sporting activities. Details of the cover are to be found in the
CCI Voluntary Workers Policy schedule."
To view details of this cover click here to access the website.
If you need to make a claim under these policies you should contact the College's administration office to discuss your position and obtain a claim form.
TOP UP - PRIVATE COVER
However, Private Medical coverage and Ambulance cover are not a feature of the Schools' policy. Parents are advised to consult their own health and ambulance fund for details of medical, dental and ambulance cover as well as the insurance cover to fully aware of what insurance and medical cover may be required for themselves (if taking on a volunteer role) or their son.
While we do not want to alarm any parent, Rugby is a contact sport and collisions/ accidents sometimes occur. Both the Club and School provide a very high level of first aid support and take our responsibilities very seriously. We believe that we have all of our bases covered, and look to you, the parents to play a part, also.
Protective Gear
First-Aid Facilities
We will have an experienced doctor (parent) on hand, or on call at all home games, and often at away venues. Many thanks to Pat O'Callaghan for volunteering his time.
We generally have a physiotherapist and trained first-aiders in attendance at all home game days. Most of our opposition clubs and schools do likewise for our away games. All of our first aid volunteers are accredited to the necessary level and each team should have a first-aid volunteer at each of its games.
At our home games, the First Aid tent is manned, at No 1 oval, throughout the day for ice, strapping (if there is a medical reason for it), bandaging, and basic injury management. If the Physiotherapist is on duty they will assess the need for any additional treatment.
Some of our teams play their home games at Garran Oval, adjacent to the hospital. The teams' first aid volunteers should be in attendance while games are in progress. If there are any minor injuries requiring quick attention by the Club, you can bring your son straight over to the school to the first-aid tent. where he can be checked. Of course depending on the injury, the Walk In clinic or Emergency Department at the hospital is close by (but there is usually a waiting time involved).
Of course for serious injuries, an ambulance will be called immediately, and they generally attend very promptly.
The Club ensures that it provides the best gear that it can and this is always a priority in the Club's annual budget.
Medical and Ambulance Cover
Nevertheless, we suggest that it is prudent for you to consider your level of medical and ambulance cover before the season begins.
We recommend that you make an informed decision and carry the cover that your family considers most appropriate.
Marist College Canberra holds the following insurance policies with Catholic Church Insurances Limited:
Public Liability Policy 02 PLS 102552
The policy is issued in the name of the Trustees of the Marist Brothers and provides indemnity to Marist College Canberra covering the insured’s legal liability.
The insured includes any student, employee or voluntary worker of Marist College Canberra participating in any authorised College sporting activity and covers the College against claims in relation to personal injury and property damage as a result of negligence by any person whilst acting on behalf of the College and within the scope of their duties.
Student Accident policy 02 PAE 02 105859
This policy is issued to Marist College Canberra and provides compensation for all enrolled students injured during any school activity,
including school sports held outside of school hours, provided that the sport has been approved by the College and is under the care and control of the
College Authority.
Details of the extent of the cover are to be found in the CCI School Care Policy.
Download the product information sheet for brief details or for more information review the website at: http://www.ccinsurances.com.au/html/school_care.htm
Voluntary Workers policy 02 PAV 103047
This policy is issued to Marist College Canberra and provides benefits to injured voluntary workers, involved in activities such as
fundraising, working-bee teams and parents providing supervision on camps, excursions or sporting activities. Details of the cover are to be found in the
CCI Voluntary Workers Policy schedule."
To view details of this cover click here to access the website.
If you need to make a claim under these policies you should contact the College's administration office to discuss your position and obtain a claim form.
TOP UP - PRIVATE COVER
However, Private Medical coverage and Ambulance cover are not a feature of the Schools' policy. Parents are advised to consult their own health and ambulance fund for details of medical, dental and ambulance cover as well as the insurance cover to fully aware of what insurance and medical cover may be required for themselves (if taking on a volunteer role) or their son.
While we do not want to alarm any parent, Rugby is a contact sport and collisions/ accidents sometimes occur. Both the Club and School provide a very high level of first aid support and take our responsibilities very seriously. We believe that we have all of our bases covered, and look to you, the parents to play a part, also.
Protective Gear
- Please ensure that your son always has a properly fitted mouthguard
- Shoulder pads and other body protection are allowed in Rugby and we recommend that you consult one of the staff at any of the reputable sports equipment providers, such as Rebel Sport;
- We recommend the use of protective headgear, which is properly fitted;
- Ensure that your son’s boots are appropriate for proper foot and ankle protection.
- Lastly, while all of the teams will provide water and half time refreshments, ensure that you son has a means of re-hydrating himself (eg, carry an extra water bottle in his bag, if necessary) - Sports drinks are good, and reasonably healthy but good, old fashioned water is just as useful.
First-Aid Facilities
We will have an experienced doctor (parent) on hand, or on call at all home games, and often at away venues. Many thanks to Pat O'Callaghan for volunteering his time.
We generally have a physiotherapist and trained first-aiders in attendance at all home game days. Most of our opposition clubs and schools do likewise for our away games. All of our first aid volunteers are accredited to the necessary level and each team should have a first-aid volunteer at each of its games.
At our home games, the First Aid tent is manned, at No 1 oval, throughout the day for ice, strapping (if there is a medical reason for it), bandaging, and basic injury management. If the Physiotherapist is on duty they will assess the need for any additional treatment.
Some of our teams play their home games at Garran Oval, adjacent to the hospital. The teams' first aid volunteers should be in attendance while games are in progress. If there are any minor injuries requiring quick attention by the Club, you can bring your son straight over to the school to the first-aid tent. where he can be checked. Of course depending on the injury, the Walk In clinic or Emergency Department at the hospital is close by (but there is usually a waiting time involved).
Of course for serious injuries, an ambulance will be called immediately, and they generally attend very promptly.
The Club ensures that it provides the best gear that it can and this is always a priority in the Club's annual budget.
Medical and Ambulance Cover
Nevertheless, we suggest that it is prudent for you to consider your level of medical and ambulance cover before the season begins.
We recommend that you make an informed decision and carry the cover that your family considers most appropriate.
HINTS AND TIPS:
- There is no substitute for self protection;
- always buy the best gear that you can afford;
- don't be tempted to let your little guy use gear just because it was his big brother's;
- make sure that boots and important gear are properly fitted;
- the colour of the boots is not nearly as important as the protection that they provide; and
- Head protection is very important, too - never let embarrassment get in the way of safety!