Exemption (Risk Assessment) Request

Updated March 2026

This form must be completed by the Club Secretary for the named person within.  Consent and additional information may be required. 

The YBL endeavours to provide competitive grassroots & development basketball leagues for all abilities. Our insurance is provided through Basketball England registrations. To ensure insurance provision is in place for all participants, a Risk Assessment (this form), from the club/coach/player and parent must be completed to ensure that all parties are aware of the risks associated with playing up/down an age group.

What is a Risk Assessment?

·    A Risk Assessment identifies hazards that may cause harm and then identifies the control measures that will reduce the risk to acceptable levels.

·    Risk Assessments are a legal requirement and should be recorded and reviewed

·    Risk Assessments illustrate good practice forethought planning and collective expertise. They are most effective when discussed with colleagues before writing and during recording.

·    The Coach and Club should then ensure that those Risk Assessments are appropriate and should make any necessary additions or changes. The dated signature by the parties confirms that all have read, understood and adopted the written Risk Assessment.

Suitable briefings must be given for the 6 key areas below to all relevant people.

The Risk Assessment process must be seen as ‘on-going’ and ‘dynamic’.

In other words, professional judgements and decisions regarding safety will need to be made during the activity.

If the control measures aren’t sufficient, the activity must not proceed.

All games have potential hazards and risk to staff and participants, therefore the control measures identified should be sufficient to reduce the risk to acceptable levels. If the control measures aren’t sufficient, consideration must be given to absolute ‘cut off criteria’ and the activity must not proceed. In addition, there must always be an alternative activity (Plan B), prepared and risk assessed. The control measures identified on this form are the written evidence that the six key areas below have been considered.

All games have potential hazards and risk to staff and participants, therefore the control measures identified should be sufficient to reduce the risk to acceptable levels. If the control measures aren’t sufficient, consideration must be given to absolute ‘cut off criteria’ and the activity must not proceed. In addition, there must always be an alternative activity (Plan B), prepared and risk assessed. The control measures identified on this form are the written evidence that the six key areas below have been considered.

Aspects to Consider (List only actual identified risks/hazards)

 6 Key areas are identified above where potential hazards may occur.

These are the areas that must be reviewed before final approval is granted. It is the responsibility of the club to ensure that all the parties are aware that this form must be submitted together with the Basketball England waiver form/exemption form signed by all parties. Until the YBL have received all documentation we will not approve any requests for participation.

Control Measures Written evidence that the six key areas have been considered

Suitable briefings are to be given for all 6 key areas to the relevant people, we also require a copy of this risk assessment returned with signatures from the player, parent, coach and a representative of the club completing the application.

Please note

That we will provide Basketball England and their appointed insurance company with a copy of this risk assessment and any accompanying documentation in the event of an injury, complaint or claim being made.

We uphold the Basketball England’s Code of Conduct and Ethics, Safeguarding and Duty of Care Policy.

It is the responsibility of the club, its coaching team, together with the child and their parents to assess and provide evidence that any risks of participating at this level have been discussed and agreed and that this level of participation is suitable. Should the YBL have any further questions regarding this Risk Assessment we will contact the sender.  We reserve the right to suspend the player from participating should we be made aware of any identified risks, injury, complaint or claim whilst we conduct further discussions regarding suitability to continue to approve participation in the identified league.

Make sure your submission meets eligbility requirements before completing this form.

Player Assessment (1) Provide written supporting evidence for the player to participate in the requested league.

 Utilising Basketball England’s 5 Pillars of Player Development provide an assessment that evidence that the playing ability
of the player is compatible for participation at the league level you have requested.

Staff, Coaches, Parents (2)  The nature of the activity will identify specific types of hazards which could result in injury. Competence & suitable experience, reflecting the activity, the venue and the type of group, is therefore essential. For example – player/parents are aware of the risks associated with playing against adults, there is an increased risk of physical injury due to potential differences in physical profile and physicality of game.  Ensure all staff/parents are familiar with the Basketball England Code of Ethics and Conduct, Safeguarding Policy and Duty of Care.

Equipment/Training (3)  Please detail any changes that you have made to any training sessions or equipment used to reduce risk of injury. (Example – reduced training sessions due to additional participation at Elite level – minimising fatigue. Measures – working with parents to ensure child can access physio if required.

Safeguarding at Venues (4)  Junior players who are participating with adults, should not share the same changing rooms. Please describe what measures you will put in place to ensure safeguarding risks are minimised. This includes attending non home venues. Please provide information of measures in place for reporting safeguarding incidents at any training/games and ensure that player and parents are fully aware of them. Please provide details of your club welfare officer and confirm that they are aware of this risk assessment.

Travel (5)  Suitability of vehicle and competence of drivers. Please detail how the player will be attending training sessions, home games and away games.

Emergency Procedures (6)  Accidents and major incidents resulting in injury or other unforeseen events. Please provide details of how and where this information is recorded and retained. The YBL must be provided with information relating to any such incident involving this player. The club are responsible to obtain a signed medical consent and condition form signed by the participant and parent. Medical consent and condition forms obtained and signed for every participant together with Emergency contact details.