Risk Management

Managing Risk in Sports and

Recreation Venues and Facilities
Objectives
• Define risk management
• Identify reasons to practice risk management in
sports and recreational facilities
• List benefits of risk management in sports and
recreation
• Highlight issues and challenges of security and
risk management in sports and recreational
facilities
• Recommend a comprehensive approach to
sports and recreational facility risk management
What is Risk Management?
• Risk management is a systematic way of identifying,
assessing, treating and monitoring risks. Following a
systematic process helps organisations to identify
likely risks and to make plans to reduce the potential
consequences (Sport New Zealand)

• Risk management is the course of action you take to

reduce potential legal liability. It seeks to address
potential problems before they occur. Risk
management aims to be pro-active rather than
reactive - creating a safer environment and legally
safer operational procedures (NSW Government,
Office of Communities Sport and Recreation)
Why risk management in sports and
recreation?
• Increasing complexity of the sports and
recreation sector.
• Increased management of sophisticated
programmes, high annual turnovers, and legal
and compliance issues.
• The requirements of members, constituents and
stakeholders.
• Increased exposure to greater risk due to the
complexity of management
Benefits
• Better sporting or recreational outcomes
• Improved safety for participants, officials,
spectators and volunteers
• Lower costs and increased budget certainty
• More effective management of assets, events,
programs and activities
• Improved compliance with the law, regulations
and other formal requirements
• Enhanced image and reputation.
Issues and Challenges That Are More
Unique to Sport and Recreation
(Facilities and Venues)
• Camp Security (Especially Resident Camps)

• Unique Sport Venues: Marathons, Cross-Country

Races, Triathlons, Open Water Sports Programs,
e.g., Boating, Sailing, Waterskiing, Hiking, etc.

• Regular Inspection and Documented Management

of Facilities Related to Activities.
Issues and Challenges That Are More
Unique to Sport and Recreation
(Facilities and Venues)
• Keeping Track of Participants.

• Providing Adequate and Appropriate Supervision.

• Clear and Meaningful Signage

• Emergency Preparedness of/for Visitors/Spectators,

Participants/Users, and Staff
Comprehensive Approach to Facility
Risk Management
1. Identify Key Issues and Outcomes
2. Establish a Representative Work Group
(include consultants, who are experts, when
appropriate)
3. Configure a Timeline and Implement a Review
Process
Identify Key Issues and Outcomes
• Who is/are at risk?
• What are the challenges?
• When are there risks?
• Where are the risks?
• Why manage the risks?
• Who is/are responsible?
Establish a Representative Work Group

• Administration
• Program Staff
• Security
• Facilities Management
• Members and other users
• Experts/Consultants (as needed)
Configure a Timeline and Implement a
Review Process
• Retain/Revise Protocol, Policies, and Procedures
• Identify and Install Selected Security Systems
• Integrate Technologies into Existing Protocol
• Initiate and Facilitate Training of staffs
• Implement Joint Risk Management Program
• Assess Outcomes Against the Key Issues and
Challenges
Case Study (10%) - Theme park rides
risk management
• Read the case study given and propose a
comprehensive risk management plan for a theme
park.
• Your proposal should include the following:
a. The Key Issues and Outcomes of risk management
in a theme park (refer to slide 9)
b. The Representative Work Group of the risk
management plan (include consultants, who are
experts) for a theme park (refer to slide 10)
c. The recommended solution(s) for each key issue and
outcome highlighted in (a).
References
• LaRue, R. J. (2011, April 1). Security and Risk Management
For Sport and Recreational Facilities. New England.
• NSW Government. (n.d.). Retrieved May 15, 2013, from About
Risk Management:
http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/sportsclubs/ryc_risk_about.asp
• Pataro, L. (2007, August 1). Risk Management Society.
Retrieved May 15, 2013, from Scary Rides, Scary Risks:
http://www.rmmag.org/
• Sport New Zealand. (n.d.). Retrieved May 15, 2013, from Risk
Management Toolkit: http://www.sportnz.org.nz/en-nz/our-
partners/Developing-Capabilities/Online-Tools/Risk-
Management-Toolkit/