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Queensland gymnastics safety assessment

December 13th, 2010 | club governance, pits, safety


(This is independent of the court case in which Townsville Gymnastics in Australia was fined $70,000. They’ve appealed.)

But here is the more important action, in my opinion:

TOWNSVILLE mother Anne Maitland is pleased her daughter Michelle’s death won’t be in vain, with the Queensland Government launching a safety assessment into the sport of gymnastics.

Michelle died from head injuries sustained during a fall on to a concrete floor at Townsville Gymnastics in June last year and yesterday Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations Cameron Dick announced an investigation into the safety of the sport.

Mr Dick said Workplace Health and Safety Queensland staff will begin talking with gymnastics organisations and peak bodies before Christmas. …

read more – Assessment of safety in gyms

Coach Mike Outram hit concrete at the bottom of a pit coming off a trampoline, and we feared he would be paralyzed.

We can save the Queensland Government some time. It’s essential that there be no exposed concrete anywhere near a trampoline device. Nor at the bottom of any pit. Any organization that has not covered concrete should be liable, in case of accident.

Leave a comment if you know if Gymnastics Australia has made any official statement on this assessment or the court case.

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7 comments ↓

#1 Nik on 12.13.10 at 2:58 pm

Queensland Gymnastics made a small statement here:
http://www.gymqld.org.au/?Page=18745

Nothing I can see or recall from Gym Aus. I’m a tech member and get their updates etc and haven’t seen anything, which I think is a shame.

#2 coach Rick on 12.13.10 at 4:27 pm

Thanks Nik.

Here it is:

Finally, as you may all be aware there has been some recent media attention around the tragic death of 19 year old Michelle Maitland in a Townsville Gymnastics Club accident some 2 years hence. I want to assure the members that the reason for the decision of Gymnastics Queensland and Gymnastics Australia, not to respond or comment to the media, was to allow the Court to reach its findings without influence or favour. The decision by the club to appeal the findings of the Industrial Magistrates Court has been taken under legal advice so we will continue to avoid making any comments that could be deemed to influence judicial process. I am sure you understand our position and join us in the continued expressions of condolence to the family and friends of Michelle.

#3 Ann Maitland on 12.13.10 at 5:18 pm

This is some progress at last. The attorney-general and state premier have taken this seriously I think.
PS. There have been no condolences from Gym Aus – just a wall of silence. Hopefully what is being started in Qld will spread across the country eventually. Michelle’s death was so easily preventable.
Season’s greetings to you all.

#4 KJ on 12.14.10 at 6:25 am

There has to be some kind of regulation in the gym. Even if it’s just someone that comes in the gym and looks for exposed concrete around trampolines. The truth is I can think of a gym off the top of my head real quick that has exposed concrete. Truth be told they will never change it unless they have to because it simply “wouldn’t happen to them.”

#5 Shelby G on 12.14.10 at 4:20 pm

This is progress. Big shame that Peek Governing Bodies in Australia have already shown that they are not going to assist with any improvements. People complain about governments regulating them but it is the only way forward if these catastrophic accidents are to be avoided if the bosses won’t do it for themselves. GO QLD, be leaders, introduce legislation for ALL concrete floors to be covered in ALL gyms. The good gyms have nothing to fear.

#6 Ann Maitland on 02.11.11 at 3:46 am

A new Facilities & Safety Panel has been set up by Dept’ of Sport & Recreation in conjunction with Gymnastics Queensland. Hopefully this proactive panel will be more effective than the previous ‘self-assessment’ system. Too late for Michelle. :(

#7 AW on 04.01.11 at 10:38 pm

Appeal dismissed.
Slander dismissed.
Perjury dismissed.
New regulations installed.
New inspections installed.
New mat installed.
Lessons learned? Let us hope so but too late for this poor girl and her family.
RIP Michelle. Cold comfort for her family but at least somethings may improve.

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