Out in the field it s each to his own! (From Barry And District News)

Out in the field it s each to his own!

THERE are always concerns, in sports, for participants getting injured.

Unfortunately this predominantly applies in sports where there is physical contact.

Terry Allday, Secretary of Vale Referees, said: Regarding football, it never ceases to amaze me when teams turn up without a basic first aid kit other than a water bottle.

And this can be said for both senior and junior football!

There is a school of thought that referees are qualified in first aid and take over the responsibility of injured players - unfortunately this is not the case.

Part of the referee s duties (according to the Laws of Association Football) is to ensure medical staff diagnose a players injury and the player is removed from the field as soon as possible.

This may be an ideal scenario at Old Trafford (where there are medically qualified staff on hand) but not at The Butts on a cold wintry afternoon.

It is at these times when common sense from everyone must prevail.

From a football team s perspective, it is important that one person should take responsibility.

If there is doubt concerning a possible bad injury then the player should not be moved - but someone needs to take responsibility, if only to keep the injured player comfortable until further assistance arrives.

A basic tool in these situations is the mobile phone to summon an ambulance ASAP! The days of St John Ambulance cover are long gone.

Although serious injuries in football are thankfully few compared with the number of games played, they do occur from time to time and all teams at least should be prepared to look any problem no matter how minor.

There is a SWFA Referees Course starting on Tuesday, January 10, held at Barry Town FC Clubhouse at 7pm - anyone interested turn up on the night or telephone 07966 269457.