The competition, now in its fourth year, aims to highlight the great work of sporting clubs and their members to make sport safer and help lower the sporting injury rate in Victoria.

Sports Physician and Sports Medicine Australia (VIC) president Dr David Bolzonello said more than a million Australians were injured playing sport each year.

"Those figures could be much higher if it weren't for the great work of Victorian community sporting clubs. It is these clubs who play a key role in lowering the rate of sporting injuries," he said.

"The Smartplay Victorian Sport Safety Champion competition is a great way to highlight their efforts and provide them with encouragement and incentives which will hopefully see them continue their great work."

Smartplay, Sports Medicine Australia's sports injury prevention program funded by VicHealth and Sport and Recreation Victoria, will award a champion club and champion individual that have been active in addressing sports

injury prevention in community sport.

The individual can include a coach, administrator, first aider, sports trainer, parent or player.

The champion club and champion individual will receive $1000 cash each for their club. Over $2000 in encouragement awards will be awarded to those clubs showing great promise in sports safety.

The competition is open to not-for-profit community sporting clubs affiliated with a state sporting association.

For an entry form, contact Smartplay on 9674 8777, email smartplay@vic.sma.org.au or go to www.smartplay.com.au

The competition closes Friday, March 9.

Smartplay Victorian Sport Safety Champion 2007 is supported by the Victorian State Government and Elastoplast.