Guide: Good hygiene for sport and physical activity

When taking part in physical activity, whether as a player, coach, spectator, employee or volunteer, it is important to take sensible measures to maintain good hygiene.

Good hygiene practice, by both organisations and individuals, helps ensure that everybody involved stays fit and well enough to keep up the activities they love and get the most enjoyment out of taking part.

Likewise, good hygiene is of equal importance for everybody, involved in maintaining and working on courts, pitches and sports facilities.

Step 1: Cleaning and covering wounds

It is important that any cuts or abrasions that occur are cleaned and covered at the earliest time possible, to prevent entry of debris or dirt that can cause infection.

Keep your first aid kit easily accessible and stocked with a good supply of plasters to ensure a speedy response when a wound occurs during activity.

Step 2: Washing hands and showering

Hand washing and showering after physical activity is crucial for good hygiene – please encourage all those taking part to do so.

People are less likely to wash their hands if the only running water available is cold, so make sure antibacterial hand soap and warm water are easily accessible to anybody taking part in physical activity.

‘Topping up’ soap dispensers can harbour bacteria, so wait until a soap dispenser is empty to refill it.

In instances where hot and cold water is not available, hand sanitisers should be used as an alternative.

Provide disposable towels rather than multi-use where possible.

Step 3: Keeping kit and equipment clean

Encourage people to remove any loose material (e.g. sand, turf, rubber-crumb, clay) from shoes, clothes, and equipment before entering changing rooms and buildings after taking part in physical activity outdoor.

Make sure that any equipment provided as part of your activities is regularly cleaned with the appropriate products.

Ensure that any shared kit provided by the venue or organisation is washed thoroughly after each use.

Regularly clean changing rooms and showers, and display a cleaning schedule in a public area.