What must the emergency action plan contain, and who is responsible for it?

An emergency action plan (EAP) for a potential catastrophic injury must be in place before the game starts (Safety in the Playing Environment, December 2025).

• Responsibility: the home team management designs, implements and presents it. At Green-level (normal school, club and community) matches it must be presented to the referee before the game, and the referee must confirm the safety requirements and EAP are in place before allowing the match to start.
• Keep it current: it should be updated before every fixture, with changes to personnel and contact details marked and their availability confirmed.

It should set out:

• directions to the venue (GPS co-ordinates help), access and access control
• the facility layout, emergency vehicle access to the field, and where keys or other barriers are
• a list of emergency equipment and medication, and where it is kept
• roles of host and contracted emergency personnel
• who leads pitch management, medical room management, evacuation from the field and from the venue, and communication
• contacts: BokSmart Spineline 0800 678 678, emergency services, the nearest government and private hospitals and spinal unit, and family
• follow-up: a named person (the doctor at Gold and Gold+, the coach or manager at Green) keeps everyone informed until the player is with next of kin or team management