WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED

Physical activity is a major trigger for people with asthma, and sports clubs are very likely to have players with asthma.  Asthma in young children is one of the most common causes of hospital admission and visits to the doctor, and asthma is the leading cause of burden of disease for people aged 5–14 years. 

Playing sport and keeping active are important in health and wellbeing, and staying on top of asthma means that sport and fitness need not be sidelined.

WHAT WE FOUND

Establishing the right behaviours, reflexes and resources early in the life of a child with asthma means they have the best chance of continuing strong health behaviours as they grow into independence.  Having a child with asthma can be frightening for parents and carers, but with good knowledge and management, a child’s asthma can usually be well controlled. 

OUR NEXT STEPS

Asthma Australia and Clubs Tasmania share a vision for promoting healthy communities, in particular supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people to develop health for life. 

By working in partnership with local organisations who are the lifeblood of towns and neighbourhoods around Tasmania, Asthma Australia and Clubs Tasmania can create an asthma smart clubs’ sector statewide to support people with asthma in their own community to live feely and participate fully in social and physical activities – helping their health, wellbeing and social connection. 

WHAT WE ARE DOING

To meet our shared vision, Asthma Australia and Clubs Tasmania aspire to delivering first aid education to place first aid resources in every club room in Tasmania, in the Asthma Smart Clubs Initiative.  

In partnership, Clubs Tasmania will facilitate this asthma initiative through its education program, in which two elements will be provided by Asthma Australia:  

  • Asthma First Aid Education: Our in-person course provides club administrators, coaches, trainers and instructors and volunteers with up-to-date information on asthma and its management within the sports setting. Most importantly, sports club volunteers will be trained in the national protocol for the first aid treatment of an asthma attack.   
  • Asthma Emergency Kits: Asthma Australia’s Asthma Emergency Kit contains the latest first aid information and instructions, medication, spacers and children’s masks for optimal medication delivery and incident log sheets to help with administration and record-keeping. 

THANKS (PARTNERS)

The project has been developed in collaboration with and funded by Clubs Tasmania with the generous support of the Department of Sport and Recreation. 

Tasmanian Asthma Discovery Survey – what’s life like with asthma in Tasmania?
Primary school aged children with asthma from Arabic speaking backgrounds