Top 10 Tips for Reducing Risk With Goal Posts

It's one of the least sexy things about sport, however risk management is a legal obligation and critical in today's sporting environment and litigious society. Risk management is the course of action taken to reduce potential legal liability and seeks to address potential problems before they occur, creating a safer environment and legally safer operational procedures.

At the top of the list of greatest potential risks in sport is unsafe equipment and facilities. As a freestanding structure on your field, goal posts can pose the biggest risk. This is why PILA sport is dedicated to safety and to manufacturing the safest goal posts - a claim we back with the longest warranty on the market.

Risk Management Considerations

1. Start by purchasing the safest goal posts available - compliant to all applicable standards
2. All timber, PVC and steel goal posts pose safety hazards and should be replaced with aluminium goals
3. Assemble and install goal posts according to the manufacturer's instructions
4. Portable football goal posts must be secured properly wherever they are, on or off the field
5. Maintain the goal posts according to the manufacturer's recommendations
6. Regularly inspect the goal posts for defects and correct any issues immediately
7. Document all inspections, repairs and maintenance
8. Warn against the misuse of the goal posts
9. Portable football goal posts are legally required to display large specific warning stickers per Australian Standard AS 4866.1-2007
10. Use appropriate padding where applicable 

By implementing a risk management program you will make your field safer in the long-term, saving you money and boosting your reputation. 

How to Tell if it's Time to Replace Your Goal Posts

Even the best quality goal posts have to be replaced eventually, but how can you tell when's the right time? This guide will provide advice to help you determine if it's time:

 Unsafe Goal PostsSometimes it's not so obvious if your goal posts are unsafe, but certain materials are particularly unsafe. If your goal posts are made from substandard materials like timber, PVC or steel, they present a real danger for players as they may not be structurally sound and are prone to decay. Goal posts made from aluminium provide the safest, longest lasting structure.
 ComplianceAll competitive sports have governing bodies that set safety standards, however there are still many goal posts around Australia that do not comply. Compliance is not optional and heavy fines apply for clubs or organisations that don't meet the standards. These standards have helped reduce injury and fatalities, especially in football (soccer) where the most stringent regulations have been put in place for portable goal posts.
 Wear and TearGoal posts undergo a lot of stresses over their lifetime including standing out in the harsh Australian weather extremes and being battered by enthusiastic players. Moving them off-field to be stored out of season will also increase wear and tear. While top quality goal posts can sustain many years of this (PILA offers a 7 year manufacturer's warranty with the option of an extended warranty), there are certain things to look out for:
-       wobbly frame
-       loose joints
-       damaged net hooks (football)
-       chipped paint
PILA offers a free safety audit to assess your goal posts.
 Club GrowthYour posts should progress with your club. When your club started you may have only needed small goal posts, but now the club's grown or the age groups have changed, you will need taller or larger goal posts. Junior goal posts will not suit adults, and if you've moved into state level or televised competition your senior goal posts will no longer suffice.
 ResurfacingIf it's time to upgrade your playing field it may also be time to upgrade your goal posts. Resurfacing is a great opportunity to work on a project like goal post upgrading, whether you're upgrading your footings or not.
 ModernisingAs with all products, goal post manufacturing technology improves and newer versions can offer greater benefits. PILA is constantly improving our processes and products and meeting new standards as they are published. We have always produced the highest quality goal posts and stand by our products as demonstrated by our long warranty.
 Psychological AdvantageWe all love new! New goal posts are shiny and exciting and offer a psychological advantage on the home field, especially when you've upgraded your size. The larger size offers a more tantalising challenge for players - trying to kick over the tall AFL or rugby goal posts, or shooting for the top right corner of the football (soccer) goals.
 And if it is time to replace your goal posts, PILA offers the safest goal posts at the most competitive prices. Our goal posts are standing in most of Australia's major stadiums including the MCG, SCG and ANZ Stadium.