Recovery for sporting and entertainment organisations

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the sporting and events sector, with ongoing disruptions resulting in event cancellations and disruption to the scheduled sports calendar. Efforts to reschedule events are further complicated by restrictions and strict guidelines imposed by federal, state and territory governments.

As organisations enter the recovery-planning phase, there is an opportunity to review and update their risk management strategy to incorporate valuable lessons learned.

COVID-19 Recovery Areas for Consideration

In collaboration with a range of sporting organisations, we have collated a risk inventory of specific issues that sporting and events organisations should consider as part of the recovery planning process. The risks for consideration, fall into the following areas:

• Health and safety
• Venues
• Financial and management
• Catering
• Technology
• Event operations
• Medical
• Training/practice
• Supply chains
• Security

Organisations should also regularly check for changes in official advice and guidelines from the federal, state and territory governments as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The WHO highlights five key factors to help determine the risk relating to mass gatherings:

1. Will the event be held in a country that has documented active local transmission of COVID-19 (community spread)?
2. Will the event be held in a single venue or multiple venues/cities/countries?
3. Will the event include international participants (athletes and spectators) from countries that have documented active local transmission of COVID-19 (community spread)?
4. Will the event include a significant number of participants (athletes or spectators) at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease (e.g., people over 65 years of age or people with underlying health conditions)?
5. Will the event include sports that are considered at higher risk of spread for COVID-19 (e.g., contact sports)?

As sports and events resume in a post-COVID-19 environment, it will be particularly important that organisers are able to minimise risk of transmission, trace those attending and demonstrate close liaison with participants.

To learn more, download the full report here.
 

LCPA number:  20/194