Have you ever wondered what those guys who run onto sports fields mid game in fluro bibs actually do? Most of them are Sports Trainers.
A Sports Trainer is a vital member of a sports team who provides a crucial link between the coach, player and health professional. They are highly qualified and multi skilled health care experts that help provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
In recent years this role is being implemented in more and more teams around Australia and the world with teams putting more emphasis on ensuring the trainers have up-to-date qualifications and hands on experience.
The qualifications required to become a sports trainer vary quite a lot. In Australia, trainers will just need to hold a qualification in a medical field of some description. These can include:
In fact, we have a deal with several NRL teams in Australia that allows them to send their current sports trainers to us where they can complete a HLT41115 – Certificate IV in Health Care.
If you wish to become a sports trainer you can also complete various certificates through Sports Medicine Australia. These include Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Sports Trainer. You can also complete qualifications in Sports Taping, Sports Massage, Wound Management, Nutrition, Drugs in Sport and much more.
Sports trainers have been part of Australian Football since the origins of the game. They are part of the fabric of every club and play a key role in player preparation and safety at all levels. In community Australian Football clubs, first aid is usually provided by sports trainers or by other people with medical or higher level qualifications and experience. Sports trainers are likely to play a more major role when there is no-one else with medical or allied health qualifications at a game or training.
The NRL has a National Sports Trainers Accreditation Scheme that focusses on player welfare and associated risk management. This scheme has made it mandatory for all sports trainers to gain relevant qualifications. This can include a Certificate IV in Health Care, which several of their trainers are currently completing.
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