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Risk management is not a complicated process and will protect the club and its members against the following risks: 

• Financial and asset risks
• Governance risks
• Brand/reputation risks
• Member and public health and safety risks

There are four steps in the risk management process. 

• Identify the risk: Identify what, why and how things can arise 
• Analyse the risk: consider the consequence and likelihood of the risk in the current environment. Consequence and likelihood may be combined to produce an estimated level of risk. 
• Evaluate the risk: using the estimated level of risk, evaluate the level of risk. If the levels of the risk are low, then it may not need action beyond its current controls. 
• Treat the risk: put measures in place to ensure the risk has a minimal impact or is eliminated. Please note that some risks won’t be eliminated due to their nature. 

The AFL recommend that clubs complete the “Marsh: Club Risk Standards” process which focuses on “Footy Risks, “Club Risks” and “Committee Risks”.

This process can assist in developing a club Risk Register. Whilst good to complete, it must be followed up with regular monitoring & reviewing (ideally monthly however at least 2-3 times per year) with agreed action documented and discussed at Committee level.
 

• Alcohol-Fueled Incidents - While most people drink responsibly, grassroots sporting clubs that sell or allow consumption of alcohol at matches or events have a duty to take reasonable care to help prevent alcohol related incidents.
• The AFL strongly recommends clubs consider the Good Sports Program to access a range of relevant resources and tips.  
• Poor at match/social event behaviour - Clubs will have a reputation when it comes to behaviour – whether this be on-field or off-field from officials or spectators. This may be definite between certain teams within the club and may be different between home or away matches. This may escalate during higher stakes games – against rival towns/suburbs or especially during finals.  
• Inadequate Insurance Coverage - Each State and Territory Association directly affiliated to the AFL and their Affiliations, Associations and Clubs have a certain level of insurance coverage under the Australian Football National Risk Protection Program which provides cover for: 
• Public Liability (coverage for third party personal injury or property damage claims made against, and asserting liability on the part of, the club)
• Club Management Liability (coverage for financial risks of the club / committee) 
• Asset Protect (base level property contents cover at your declared location – excluding SA/NT)
• Personal injury insurance (cover for participant and volunteer injury claims with 4 options available for clubs – bronze, silver gold or platinum) 
• Quadriplegia & paraplegia events up to $1 million 

Action required: All clubs need to register online at the Marsh Sport Website and complete the Risk Management module each year to obtain their Public Liability insurance Certificate of Currency. In addition, clubs should review the information, forms and documents on the Marsh website (and recommend that the Club’s participants also review this information) to consider any additional insurance needs in respect of upgrading: 

• The Club’s Personal Injury level of cover (4 options to help cover costs associated with the injuries to players & volunteers); 
• The level of cover for Loss of Income for its players; and 
• Asset Protect level of coverage (coverage for your club contents & assets) 

For more information on the Australian Football National Risk Protection Program, including forms & documents, how to upgrade your coverage, how to make a claim, FAQs, contact details etc. visit the Marsh Sport Website (National Risk Protection Program).