Club and School Sports First Aid: What Are the Legal Requirements?

Health and safety are critical in sports, where injuries can occur at any level, from beginners to professionals. This is especially true in schools and youth sports, where players may not recognize their physical limits and are more prone to preventable injuries. Yet, there's often confusion about what sports first aid measures are legally required versus merely recommended.

This article clarifies the legal obligations for those involved in youth sports (PE teachers, coaches, and club managers) so they understand their responsibilities. It will also discuss why health and safety is so crucial in school and club sports as well as common sports injuries that will potentially need to be addressed.
 

Why health & safety is critical in school and club sports

Health and safety is important in school and club sports for many different reasons, not just to meet legal requirements, but to create a safe, supportive environment for players. That’s why there are tailored sports first aid kits, like those designed for football, as well as general kits for multi-sport use.

Injuries can have serious consequences, especially if not treated promptly. Preventative measures and proper first aid planning help reduce the risk and impact of injuries. When everyone knows the emergency response plan, they can act immediately, saving valuable time and potentially preventing long-term harm.
 

Legal requirements

We will explore these points in greater detail shortly. However, one key reason why health and safety is so important is that schools and clubs have a legal responsibility for the children in their care. More broadly, inadequate safety measures don’t just put athletes at risk; it also jeopardizes the integrity and future success of the organization itself.

The main legal requirements for sports clubs are:

• To conduct a thorough risk assessment - The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Provide a sufficient number of trained first aiders - Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
• Provide a fully stocked first aid kit - Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
• Maintain incident reporting information - RIDDOR

 

Injury prevention

When it comes to health and safety in schools and clubs, injury prevention should always be the top priority—even if achieving zero injuries may not be entirely realistic. Creating a culture that emphasises safety can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and long-term harm.

A key strategy in preventing injuries is the consistent use of proper warm-up and cool-down routines at the beginning and end of every session. Warming up prepares the body for physical activity by increasing blood flow to the muscles and enhancing flexibility, which helps prevent strains and sprains. Similarly, cooling down aids in gradual recovery, reduces muscle stiffness, and helps prevent delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), especially in younger or less experienced participants.

By making injury prevention a routine part of every session, schools and clubs not only protect the physical well-being of their students and members but also create a safer, more supportive environment for everyone involved.
 

Minimising long-term consequences

Prompt and proper treatment is essential to minimise the risk of long-term damage. Even seemingly minor injuries can develop into chronic issues if they are not managed with care and attention.

One of the most critical steps in the recovery process is allowing adequate time for rest and rehabilitation. Rushing a return to activity before the body has fully healed can exacerbate the injury, potentially leading to prolonged discomfort, reduced mobility, or permanent damage. This is especially true for children and young people, whose bodies are still developing and may be more susceptible to long-term complications.

Additionally, recognising the signs of more serious underlying problems, such as persistent pain, swelling, or reduced range of motion, is key to ensuring injuries don’t go unnoticed or untreated. Staff and coaches should be trained not only in basic first aid but also in identifying when professional medical evaluation is necessary.

By taking injuries seriously and prioritising full recovery, schools and clubs help safeguard the long-term health and well-being of every participant.
 

Creating a positive environment

When promoting health and safety you are also promoting a positive environment where athletes are able to feel more confident and safer. This can lead to more enjoyment of the activity and a want to continue as they get older.

Research indicates that being active and participating in sports also lends itself to improving mental health as well as physical health. It has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiometabolic conditions and alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety. In fact, research suggests that “children and young people who have a positive and meaningful relationship with activity are happier, more likely to keep trying until they can do something and more likely to trust others of a similar age to themselves”.

Beyond health benefits, sports participation helps young people develop crucial life skills, such as:

• Communication & Teamwork
• Responsibility
• Conflict Resolution
• Leadership
• Time Management

Providing a safe space for these skills to flourish is vital as they prepare for challenges both on and off the field.
 

Legal Responsibilities for Sports Clubs and Schools

There are several legal responsibilities that sports clubs and schools must adhere to when organising training sessions and events. For example, a risk assessment must be completed before any activity takes place to identify what injuries may occur, how they can be prevented and the supplies needed should someone be affected.

There is also a legal requirement for schools and clubs to provide at least one first aid kit, it is best to ensure that this is easily accessible either as a run bag or as a pouch that the umpire, coach or referee wears so that first aid can be administered immediately.
 

Understanding your Duty of Care in sport

All locations, including workplaces, schools and clubs have a “Duty of Care” to those on their premises, this extends to employees, students and visitors. Having a duty of care means that those responsible must take reasonable steps to prevent injury and ensure that if one does occur that they have appropriate response measures in place.

For example, having a football first aid kit available at a football match in case an accident occurs would be a reasonable measure for ensuring players’ safety. Some other ways in which clubs and schools could be found negligent include:

• Lack of supervision
• No appropriate risk assessment
• Lack of knowledge on medical conditions such as asthma and diabetes

 

What the Law Requires

There are several legal frameworks from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that expand upon what the law requires to be in place for sports clubs and schools. These include both the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 which discuss measures for workplaces but have overarching reach to all public spaces.
 

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974:

• Persons not employed must not be exposed to risks to their health or safety.
• Give those attending events information on what to do in an emergency
• Take measures that are “reasonable” to ensure that the premises, all means of access are available for use by those using the premises

 

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999:

• Make a suitable risk assessment
• Appoint one or more competent persons to assist with the measures needed to comply with the requirements of the risk assessment
• Provide sufficient training to those responsible for compliance
• Make appropriate health and safety arrangements

 

The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981

• Periodically review first-aid needs
• Provide first-aiders with a book in which to record incidents they attend
• The minimum level of first-aid equipment is a suitably stocked and properly identified first-aid container

 

What the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says about sport

While the HSE’s primary focus is on the workplace, many of its guidelines are relevant to schools, sports clubs, and community groups involved in sporting activities. As such, it is mainly focused on club owners, “employers”, providing “adequate” first aid for those on their premises.

However, it does offer guidance on how to run a safe sports club using the laws and duty of care. This is because “the extent of a club’s legal duty will depend on the level of control it has over the premises.” If it is a voluntary club that has no responsibility for the premises then generally, they aren’t held by the health and safety laws, however, usually responsibility would become a joint effort between the owner and those using the facilities.

As the health and safety laws do not generally cover accidents “arising from sports”, this is where the civil law duty of care would be relevant.

The Health and Safety Executive in sport says:

• Health and safety is generally joint responsibility between the owner of the grounds and those using the facilities
• The club’s legal duty will be dependent on their level of control over the premises
• Duty of care covers accidents “arising from sports”

 

First aid best practices for school and club Sport

So, factoring in what the law says should be followed by schools and club sport, what are the first aid best practices that should be in place at all sports locations across the UK?
 

First aid kits and equipment

Having at least one fully stocked sports first aid kit is essential when thinking about what first aid supplies would be needed for school or club sports. Other common supplies that may need to be added to a standard kit include:

• Compression bandages, ideally in a variety of sizes so that they are suitable for both large and small limbs. Most first aid kits will include these in at least one size, however ensuring that you are covered regardless of where the injury occurs is important.
• Kinesiology tape, this can have multiple uses in sports and comes in a variety of colours.
• All sports first aid kits will include plasters, however if providing first aid for water sports, such as swimming or sailing, it is important to ensure that the plasters are waterproof instead of just washproof

In addition to having a first aid kit other pieces of first aid equipment would be suited for use at sporting events such as an AED in case of cardiac arrest, which can sometimes be exacerbated by activity, or an emergency stretcher for transporting casualties if they are unable to walk for themselves. High-risk sports like rugby, football or boxing may also require further specialized equipment like neck collars and splints.
 

How many first aid kits are needed

• Small Groups (Under 20 participants): One first aid kit is sufficient, with one additional kit located in a central or emergency area (e.g., clubhouses).
• Larger Groups or High-Risk Sports: Multiple kits should be available, particularly for contact sports or large teams. A minimum of two kits should be in the playing area, with a backup in a central location.
• Specialized Kits for Certain Sports: For larger or more dangerous sports, it’s recommended to have 3+ kits available depending on the size of the facility and the number of players.

 

Appointed person or first aider – what’s required?

As with workplaces, sports clubs and schools require a first aider to be present to minimise the risks, they should be properly trained and able to handle emergency situations calmly and efficiently. Schools themselves have a legal requirement to provide at least one first aider both on-site and for any off-site activities to ensure that the children are provided for.

The number of first aiders required depends on factors like the number of participants, spectators, and the risk level of the sport. High-risk sports like rugby and boxing generally require more first aid personnel compared to lower-risk sports like tennis or badminton.

At least one first aider should be present at all training sessions, matches, and competitions. However, the risk assessment should guide the exact number. For example, contact sports may need two first aiders if there's a risk of spinal injury or concussion. Similarly, water-based activities may require extra cover, particularly for outdoor events or open water activities. The final number of first aiders should always reflect the specific risks associated with the activity.

There are two main roles in health and safety for sports clubs, a health and safety officer and a safeguarding officer. The health and safety officer is responsible for physical well-being and maintaining safety standards, while the safeguarding officer will be responsible for things like DBS checking coaches and child protection, ensuring the individual staff and players are safe.
 

Incident reporting and risk assessment

Reporting accidents is a legal requirement for businesses under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations), but it also provides evidence and records of important information relating to the incident. This information includes what happened, when and the measures taken to treat the injury, which can then be passed onto emergency services or guardians so that there is no confusion.  A copy of these records should also be given to the event organisers as a precaution if the accident occurs at a sporting event.

The main things to make a note of when recording an accident are:

• The date, time and place of accident
• The person or persons involved and contact details
• A summary of what happened
• Details of any witnesses
• Information about the apparent injury
• First aid treatment given and by whom
• Whether the person was sent to the hospital, their doctor or home
• Any other information such as what happened to the hazard, or to whom the incident was reported

Accident reporting comes in particularly useful when medication or timings are important in the treatment of an injury. This is because it will prevent overdosing the casualty or confusion as to when a step in the treatment was taken if multiple first aiders are involved.

Before any activity takes place, a risk assessment must be carried out to determine what the perceived hazards are and how these can be addressed. The risk assessment should also include what will happen if the weather affects play, for example, if rain has made the pitch wet or if it has started to snow and the impact this will have on players safety.

To conduct a risk assessment:

1. Identify the hazards
2. Evaluate the risks
3. Implement control measures
4. Ensure competence and training
5. Monitor and review regularly
6. Document everything

 

Common injuries in school and club sports – and how to respond

Ensuring that your sports first aid kit is full and up to date will help you to respond quickly and effectively to common injuries in schools and club sports, which include:
 

Sprains and strains

Soft tissue injuries are particularly common in sporting activities and can be treated using the PRICE method: Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. This is why most sports kits will include an ice pack as it is used in treatment for both soft tissue injuries and suspected breaks.
 

Fractures

When treating a fracture, make sure that you:

1. Support the area and keep it as still as possible
2. Control any external bleeding, although if there is a protruding bone do not apply pressure to this
3. Lightly cover any open wound with a sterile dressing, packing around any protruding bones
4. Call emergency services
5. Assess for shock
6. Ensure that blood flow can still reach the extremities, keep checking regularly until help arrives

 

Head injuries

With contact sports there is a high likelihood that at some point a player will sustain a head injury. This could include a concussion, a cerebral compression or a skull fracture. If any of these are suspected, ensure that the casualty is transported to the hospital as soon as possible to be safe.

When treating a concussion or cerebral compression, the main things to remember are:

1. Check for danger, response, airway, breathing and circulation
2. Check for the signs and symptoms of concussion
3. Refer the casualty to appropriate medical advice even if they seem fine – head injuries can deteriorate quickly even if the casualty initially seems fine
4. If any clear, straw-coloured fluid is coming from the ear or nose it can indicate a fractured skull and urgent hospitalisation is required

When treating a skull fracture, the main things to remember are:

1. Call 999
2. Maintain airway treatment
3. Keep the head as stable as possible, don’t remove headgear unless necessary
4. Only move the casualty using the log roll technique if there is an urgent need to - the casualty’s airway, breathing and circulation always take precedent
5. Observe and record the casualty’s airway, breathing and circulation until emergency services arrive.

 

Spinal injuries

To treat suspected spinal injuries, follow these steps:

1. Keep the casualty as still as possible
2. Call emergency services
3. Keep the head stable, do not remove headgear unless needed
4. Only move the casualty if there is an urgent need to and use the log roll technique – the casualty’s breathing and airways come first.
5. Observe and record the casualty’s airway, breathing and circulation until emergency services arrive.

 

How to stay compliant and keep everyone safe

Different sports will have different risk levels, so always ensure that the amount of first aid available matches the issues highlighted in your risk assessment. As a minimum have at least one trained first aider and one basic first aid kit available at all times.

Having an emergency action plan in place will mean that in an emergency situation everyone will know how to respond and what the appropriate steps are. It will include who the first aiders are, emergency contact information and the measures to take in case of an injury. This will reduce the amount of confusion at the time and inspire confidence, particularly if all staff are aware of what is in place.

Another consideration to be aware of when trying to remain compliant and keep everyone safe is that certain organisations or bodies will have different requirements, especially when you start training for higher levels. For example, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) has set guidelines that clubs must follow in terms of first aid including first aider qualifications and how the location must have access to a telephone.
 

Compliance checklist

• At least 1 qualified first aider
• At least 1 first aid kit
• Emergency action plan
• Emergency contact information available
• A method of recording accidents
• Completed a thorough risk assessment
• Access to a phone

 

Conclusion

Having a focus on health and safety in club and school sports helps to provide a safe environment for all involved as well as teaching children how to take care of themselves and listen to what their body is telling them. If done correctly, you will be providing someone with a lifetime of fun and a healthy hobby; if not you could not only discourage a child but also allow them to become chronically injured.

While there are broad legal requirements for schools or clubs training and events in the UK, health and safety is essential from a moral standpoint as well because you are responsible for the most vulnerable members of society.

Ensure you have the supplies needed for any emergency by browsing our sports first aid range now.

Read our other blogs for more information on first aid or contact us for further advice and information on our products.