The Football Game between Bellevue and Archbishop Murphy
The football game between Bellevue and Archbishop Murphy was held in Everett, Washington. Given the two teams' longstanding animosity, the event drew a sizable crowd. The football match between the two champions took place on September 21, 2017. The tournament was place at Everett Memorial Stadium. The vast majority of attendees were high school students under the age of 18. The game's participants were also students at their respective high schools. The program was managed by the football and sports teachers from both schools. The game was subjected to risk management technologies that were both efficient and inefficient.
Risk Management Initiatives
One of the notable elements of risk management initiatives that was emphasized during the event comprised the involvement of appropriate gear during the games. The students who participated in the games were compelled to wear helmets and soft pads to protect them against collisions that would have happened during the game session. Additionally, footwear was checked by one of the referees to ensure that shoes with sharp studs were not allowed in to the pitch. Lastly, all jewelry had to be removed by the students before the match could commence. The duty of collecting and taping the jewelry was undertaken by one of the assistant referees while the main referee checked to ensure that the mentioned rule was applied.
Application of FA Rules
The next positive risk management initiative was the application of the FA rules to determine player conduct during the games. The referee was empowered to caution or send off a player for dangerous physical violence. If a player flouted the mentioned rules, then they would be eligible for a ban for the remainder of the competition. The application of FA rules was intended to protect the safety of the players and to ensure that the game was orderly. The game was conducted in an open-air setting and hence subject to weather variations to the athletes. To prevent devastation during weather extremes, the grounds men and tournament organizers were allowed the power to call off the game. Such a measure would ensure the protection of the players and spectators’ lives and properties.
Preparations on the Pitch
Preparations on the pitch facilitated the successful completion of the football game between Bellevue and Archbishop high schools. Before the commencement of the game, the referee examined the pitch for uneven ground, the presence of holes and the presence of foreign elements. Risk management requires that the given facility is organized in a manner that will protect the safety of the players. Subsequently, the event organizers were collectively tasked with the duty of ensuring that the pitch was aligned and level. The next critical element in the examination of the pitch to ensure effective risk management during the football game involved the anchoring of portable goals on the ground to prevent injuries during the game. The initiative was in line with the rules in FA which determine that goal posts have to be dug into the soil to ensure that it is anchored fully.
Injury Mitigation and Fire Safety
With regards to injuries and fire occurrences, the event organizers did an exemplary job in ensuring that the subject issues were addressed. To begin with, fire extinguishers were placed in strategic places such as entrances to the complex and alleys. Such an initiative ensures that fire will be mitigated immediately should an outbreak occur. Additionally, the fire department was informed of the game. Informing the Everett fire department was important because it allowed the unit to prepare and consolidate the available resources to address the fire challenge in case it manifested. Other fire-mitigating strategies in the facility included the strategic placement of fire alarms and the posting of directions to be followed in the event of a fire outbreak. To address injury emergencies during the game, the event organizers called for two standby state ambulances. The medics were tasked with the duty of attending to students who were badly injured during the game. Minor injuries were addressed by the respective school physicians. The presence of ambulances was to ensure that individuals with extreme injuries would be transported quickly to the healthcare facilities.
Failures in Risk Management
Still, there were several failures in risk management that were manifested during the game. To begin with, the parking lot was near the playing field. The absence of a high physical barrier separating the pitch from the parking lot exposed the players and the spectators to significant risk. Additionally, there should have been increased effort to mark the pitch using brighter marks. On more than one occasion, the fans would get in to the pitch during the game session. The absence of security agents manning the game and preventing fans from accessing the pitch during the session further provided a significant risk to both the players and the audience. Lastly, there should have been an increased commitment to the assessment of the health of the players before being allowed in to the pitch. The initiative would have facilitated prevention of health related accidents in the game such as was manifested when one player collapsed because of dehydration.
