September 2018
The safety of combat sports participants is set to improve following today’s announcement that the NSW Government will introduce a new bill to amend the Combat Sports Act 2013.
Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the legislative reform follows an extensive review of the Act by the Combat Sports Authority to consider the recommendations of Deputy State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan, who investigated the death of combatant David Browne in September 2015.
“Safety in combat sport must be taken seriously,” Mr Ayres said.
“Twenty-seven key recommendations from the Combat Sports Authority have been adopted as part of phase one of the review which will strengthen measures to protect the health and safety of combatants.”
Key recommendations that have been adopted include;
The requirement of a referee to stop a combat sport contest if a combatant’s trainer or second indicates that the contest should be stopped due to concerns about health and safety;
Ensuring referees and attending medical practitioners attend a pre-contest meeting with combat sport inspectors to confirm contest rules;
Submitting to the Authority an Injured Combatant Evacuation Plan which is communicated with referees, attending medical practitioners and Combat Sports Inspectors;
Ensuring that medical equipment including airway support, an oxy-viva mask and oxygen be available at a combat sport contest;
Chairperson of the Combat Sports Authority, Mr Adam Casselden SC, said: “A Medical Advisory Committee assisted in the review and provided a report that promoted best practice medical responses to the Deputy Coroners recommendations.”
The Combat Sports Authority undertook extensive public and industry consultation with six public forums held in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and Dubbo.
Phase two will involve extensive consultation with key industry and regulatory stakeholders on the remaining proposed actions on issues such as concussion training, head injury recognition and accreditation of medical practitioners.
A bill will be introduced to NSW Parliament later this year.