Kristyn Comino
11 December 2014: Bachelor of Physiotherapy students had the chance to help keep the University of Canberra Vikings in top condition during an internship with the team while they competed in the National Rugby Championship.
To develop their assessment and treatment skills, a group of eight students were offered the opportunity to assist with the day-to-day running of the UC Vikings for 12 weeks.
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Some of the physiotherapy students who worked with the UC Vikings squad. Photo supplied |
Support the second-year students provided included weekly soft tissue therapy for the players – an integral part of their recovery program – and the opportunity to assist with taping the players, as well as observing team preparation on game days.
Liam Richardson said it was fantastic to work with a real rugby team and a great way to put what they had learnt at the University into practice.
"It provided a way to apply the theoretical concepts we learned in class on real patients, developed our rapport building skills and gave us a glimpse of potential career pathways. It was an awesome experience," Mr Richardson said.
Assistant professor in physiotherapy Jeremy Witchalls said this was the first time physiotherapy students had been given an opportunity to work with elite athletes on this scale.
"Having access to professional athletes as well as learning about an elite medical and training environment saw the students complement their University acquired knowledge of musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy," Dr Witchalls said.
The students were supervised by UC Vikings team physiotherapist and University alumnus Byron Field, who said: "the link between the UC Brumbies and UC Vikings and the University of Canberra, physiotherapy discipline has enormous potential."
"Our proximity and relationship with the University of Canberra means future opportunities for student in physiotherapy and sports science will open up in coming years. Just as we are keen to foster local talent on the field, equally we have an interest in providing local students an insight into professional sport," Mr Field said.
The other University of Canberra students who took part in the internship were: Ben Martin, Brianna Dalgleish, Lisa Kaye, Georgia Hope, Alex Edwards, Cameron Garnock and Nived Subbarayan.
