Australia has the highest skin cancer rates globally with more than two in three Australians diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. Sport is an integral part of Australian culture. Athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators and other personnel involved in sport spend prolonged periods of time outdoors. Consequently, participation in outdoor sport exposes athletes and support staff to increased levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun with associated increased risk of sun damage, sunburn, and skin cancer. The more an individual is exposed to UV radiation, the greater their risk of developing skin cancer. Sporting organisations have a duty of care to ensure a safe environment including reducing solar UV radiation exposure. Thus, prevention strategies across all levels of the sport are needed to help protect those involved year-round.

This position statement highlights the risk that UV radiation presents in Australia for athletes and support staff; current skin cancer epidemiology in athletic populations; the effectiveness of prevention strategies; and practical recommendations for how Australian sporting codes can act to safeguard their athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators, and other personnel involved in sport.