June 3, 2004

Goal Post: Safety a Continuing Priority

The following article is a reprint from the USYSA website. UYSA's Risk Management Chair, Jodene Smith, requests the review of this article by our parents, coaches, and players to prevent goal post accidents in our state.

The Risk Management Committee Has Been Made Aware of Continuing Issues Regarding Goal Post Safety

Within the last sixty (60) days the Risk Management Committe has been made aware of three (3) instances involving portable goals that have fallen over and injured players. All of these accidents have the following common denominators:

1) All players received head injuries from the fallen goal and were transported to local hospitals for emergency medical treatment. None of these three (3) accidents resulted in a fatality. Age of players were 13 and under.

2) Goals come down from a gust of wind.

3) All goals were not anchored at the time of the accident.

4) Accidents occurred on public property.

5) Accidents happened during organized practice.

6) Coaches did not inspect portable goals prior to the practice session to assure they were properly anchored.

7) Coaches failed to warn parents and players of the dangers of portable goals.

8) Risk management post safety procedures at the club level were non-existent.

Click here for goal safety guidelines from the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) or online to the Health and Safety Library at USYouthSoccer.org and click Goal Post Safety.