The Minister for Sport and Recreation has announced that new rules to improve the safety of combat sports such as boxing, wrestling and martial arts have come into effect in the ACT.
The Minister, Yvette Berry said combat sports brought many benefits to the ACT including boosts to tourism, supporting social inclusion and increasing physical fitness for participants.
Ms Berry said there was an obligation to ensure safety and integrity across the sporting landscape.
“New measures as part of the Controlled Sports Act 2019 supports the evolution of the Territory’s combat sports industry and have been shaped through consultation with industry, participants, medical and sporting experts, and will apply predominantly to ‘registrable events’,” Ms Berry said.
She said that under the changes, registrable events required specialised medical requirements, equipment and supervision of contestants; compliance with rules regarding suitably matched contestants; and background checking of officials and contestants.
“As part of the changes, the ACT will also bring fees into line with States like New South Wales and Victoria—the first review of fees since 2010.”
“This is a significant reform for the industry, replacing the Boxing Control Act from 1993 to better support the evolution of combat sports in the ACT,” Ms Berry said.
Further information can be found on the Sport and Recreation website at this PS News link.
