Our focus

Our focus is to provide safe, supportive and meaningful learning experiences that support wellbeing, through school sport, for all students in South Australian schools.

Safe and supportive teaching and learning environments for all

School Sport SA programs are organised and run by teachers with a strong focus on creating environments that are safe and supportive for all students and officials, to enable learning to occur.

Inclusive programs

At School Sport SA events, all students across South Australia, regardless of their abilities and background, have the opportunity to participate in sport within a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Our inclusion poster (PDF 542 KB) is displayed at events and can be used in your school.

Curriculum opportunities

Play to learn, learn to play – and thrive! Our programs focus on teaching and learning by providing opportunities for students to learn through sport, whether it is linked directly to subject specific content or the General Capabilities of the Australian Curriculum or SACE. Schools are encouraged to directly connect in-class learning to our programs. See how your school can use School Sport SA programs within the curriculum.

Supervision and duty of care

Each school has the duty of care responsibility of their students participating in School Sport SA events. A teacher or a supervisor approved by the school principal must accompany every team. All supervisors, including parents and volunteers, must meet the minimal requirements of the screening and suitability child safety procedure, volunteer policy and volunteer procedure. These can be found on the Department for Education sporting and adventure activities (department login required). Adult to participant ratios and training requirements are also listed.

Injury and concussion management

We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all participants. This commitment extends to the proactive management of injuries.

Our carnivals and championships will adhere to minimum standards for injury management, including the presence of qualified sports trainers where applicable and the necessary equipment. In the case of medical treatment being needed both the parents and school must be notified as soon as possible and documented on the school’s formal injury management portal within the agreed timelines.

If medical treatment is required or a suspected concussion diagnosed, prior to their next match, a medical clearance from a health care practitioner with reference to the relevant injury or condition, must be provided to the championship/carnival convenor to allow that student to participate.

If a concussion is diagnosed return to schoolwork should take priority over return to sport. According to the Australian Sports Commission Concussion Guidelines for Youth and Community Sport there is to be a minimum period of 21 days until the resumption of competitive contact/collision sport.

Behaviour and discipline

Umpires/referees shall report to the school staff member present and convenor if any person, player, official and spectator who, in their opinion, is acting inappropriately. Behavioural issues should be proactively addressed by attending staff. Any resulting reports shall be forwarded to all schools involved with a copy sent to the School Sport Officer responsible for the competition. Any subsequent discipline is the responsibility of the school and ultimately the school principal, with notification provided to School Sport SA.

Codes of behaviour

All coaches, players and spectators must be made aware of the codes of behaviour. If student supporters are to be present this should be negotiated with the visiting school prior to the event.

Read the School Sport SA codes of behaviour.

Who can enter

To enter our competitions, schools must be affiliated schools with School Sport SA.

Each event has specific age or year levels that can enter. See the specific sport or event pages for more details.

• Day carnivals
• State carnivals and state championships
• State teams
• Statewide schools competitions
• Student with disability events
• Weekly sport

Uniform and equipment

Students must wear their school or district uniform when participating at our events.

Parents/caregivers are responsible for suppling any equipment required for their child to participate unless provided by the school or district.

Determining placings

In aiming to promote even competition and avoid heavily one-sided matches, School Sport SA employs consistent methodology to determine placings. To determine final placings when there are equal premiership points the following process shall be used.

Premiership points

• 3 points for a win.
• 2 points for a draw.
• 1 point for a loss.
• 0 points for a forfeit.

Sapsasa State Carnivals will award equal placings if teams are tied on premiership points.

Placings at the competition of group matches:

1. Final positions will be determined by teams being placed in descending order of premiership points gained.
2. If 2 teams gain the same number of premiership points,
   1. placings will be decided by the result of the match between the 2 teams concerned.
   2. if the 2 teams had a draw when they played, used point 3e.
3. If 3 or more teams gain the same number of premiership points
   1. placings will be decided by the results between the 3 or more teams concerned.
   2. if the results still have all teams tied, the score difference in matches played between these teams only needs to be calculated (score for minus score against) starting with the largest denomination first. For example, sets before points.
   3. If only 2 teams are still tied, the result of the match between the 2 teams concerned will determine the final place.
   4. If teams are still tied, the team conceding the lowest score in matches between these teams will be the final place starting with the largest denomination first. For example, sets before points.
   5. if teams are still tied, the team conceding the lowest score for the entire round against all teams will be declared the final place starting with the largest denomination first. For example, sets before points.
   6. if teams are still tied, the score difference between all teams will be used (score for minus score against) starting with the largest denomination first. For example, sets before points.
   7. If all teams are still tied, all teams involved will be declared equal place.