Players - What to do now

As a player you are responsible for maintaining strict personal hygiene, understanding the Infectious Diseases Policy/Blood Rules Policy and not discriminating or harassing anyone because of their infectious disease status.

• Familiarise yourself with your club’s Infectious Diseases or Blood Rule Policy.
• Assume all blood and body fluids are infectious.
• Maintain strict personal hygiene during training, preparation and on field play (don’t share your personal equipment such as drink bottles, razors, towels, mouth guards).
• Ensure safe handling of contaminated clothing, equipment and surfaces.
• Talk to your coach about any concerns you may have about infectious diseases and their transmission.
• Do not discriminate against or harass someone on the basis of their health status.

If you begin bleeding while on the field

• Advise the referee/coach
• Leave the field immediately and do not return until the bleeding has stopped;
• Remove and replace any blood stained clothes
• Use safe handling techniques to stop the bleeding
• Clean any blood or bodily fluid spills straight away.

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If a team member gives you a hard time because you have an infectious disease

• Tell them to stop – it is everyone’s responsibility to play safely and not share personal equipment.
• Talk to the coach – he or she should reinforce the Infectious Diseases/Blood Rule Policy with the team.
• Check your club’s Member Protection Policy and speak with a Member Protection Information Officer within the sport (club, state or national level) if the harassment continues.
• Depending on the nature/type of harassment you may have a complaint of unlawful discrimination, in which case it could be handled by the Australian Human Rights Commission or your state/territory anti-discrimination agency or equal opportunity commission.
• If the disease is affecting your performance, discuss the matter with your coach and medical practitioner.

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