What do I need to know as a first aider or sports trainer at WA Football junior matches in Years 3-6 (ages 8-12)? Qualifications, match day duties, stretcher procedure, concussion, protective equipment and lightning.
Every team must supply a First Aid / Medical Officer with appropriate qualifications for each match.
| Level | Qualification |
|---|---|
| Recommended | Level 1 Sports Trainer, Level 2 Sports Trainer, or Qualified Medical Professional |
| Minimum | First Aider, or Qualified Medical Professional |
In addition, everyone in the role must have completed the AFL's online First Aid and Concussion Management education module before taking part in any match day role.
A Working With Children Check applies if you have an agreement to work (paid or volunteer) in child-related work with no exemption; in sport this is commonly Category 12, "Club, Association or Movement".
Under section 29 of the 2026 handbook you are responsible for preventing injuries and promptly attending to them, including:
You have the final say on whether an injured player can resume the match. Runners help you remove injured players from the playing surface.
The First Aid / Medical Officer must be clearly identifiable at all games by wearing the approved white vest with a green cross, not covered by a jacket or coat. You must be named on the team sheet.
Each team must supply its own qualified officer. If a team fails to provide one, the opposing team's suitably qualified First Aid / Medical Officer may assume control of injured players for both teams. You are also expected to liaise and coordinate with the opposition's officer so timely and suitable first aid is delivered to all players, regardless of team.
Your team's first aid kit must be adequately stocked and well maintained before any match starts, and you should know where the stretcher and the emergency vehicle access points are.
WA Football's priorities are: recognise a suspected concussion, remove the player from the game, and refer them to a medical doctor. A player with a concussion or suspected concussion must be medically assessed as soon as possible and must NOT return to play in the same game or practice session. "If in doubt, sit them out."
Management guidelines from the handbook:
You must make sure the player does not return and knows the WA Football Concussion Policy. The Headcheck Concussion App can help trainers, coaches and parents recognise symptoms and judge whether a head injury needs an ambulance, hospital or a GP.
Reporting: all confirmed and suspected concussions are reported on PlayHQ as soon as possible, ideally no later than 9am on the Monday after the match. Team managers must make sure concussion reports are submitted, and injuries must be accurately assessed, recorded and documented.
Return to train and play: WA Football aligns with the national concussion guidelines from the Australian Institute of Sport and the Australian Sports Commission.
A health care practitioner means a specialist sports doctor or physician, a GP, or an AHPRA-registered practitioner with appropriate training and experience in concussion assessment and management.
You are in charge of all players on the day and have the final say on whether a player may resume the current match.
Rules that follow:
The First Aid / Medical Officer is one of the few people authorised on the playing surface during play. The others are players on the team sheet who are not benched, team runners, field umpires, and people you ask to help carry a stretcher (only once the Field Umpire allows it).
From section 64 of the 2026 handbook:
No permit needed
Permit needed (club applies to the League)
Not allowed: plaster casts, jewellery (piercings must be removed, not taped), and grip aids such as tacky sprays, creams, gels or resins. Medical bracelets are allowed if completely taped and marked "MEDIC".
If lightning is in the immediate proximity of a venue during a match or training, all activity must cease and everyone takes shelter. Without radar or a warning device, use the 30/30 guideline:
Safe shelter: a large, fully enclosed building (first choice) or a fully enclosed vehicle with a metal roof and the windows closed. Unsafe: open fields, trees, light poles and goalposts, small shelters, tents, Coaches Boxes, umbrellas, and electrical items such as scoreboards.
Other conditions to assess in consultation with umpires, team officials and the League Administrator: very strong winds, flooding, extreme fire danger or nearby fires (including smoke and air quality), hail and extreme heat. The nominated Club Official updates all parties regularly during a lightning threat.