History of Sports and Exercise group

History of Sports and Exercise group

The early stirrings of sports physiotherapy as a specialized area emerged through the activities of a handful of practitioners who volunteered their services at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics or gained positions with high profile rugby and Australian rules football clubs. Those working to represent the interests of physiotherapists in this field in the 1960s and 70s did so as voluntary office bearers in the multidisciplinary Australian Sports Medicine Federation, the predecessor to the SMA.  Amongst the prominent names of those raising the physiotherapy profile in this way pre SPA were Jim Lamers, Adrian Wright, Geoff Luke, David Zuker, Max Sopp, John Stanley, Peter Dornan, Helen Gordon and Stuart Gray.  Peter, Helen, Stuart and David Worth were amongst the first to publish articles related to sports injuries in Australia.

In the mid-1970s the ACT and most Australian States formed APA Sports Medicine Special Interest Groups. Membership of these groups grew quickly, and ambitious continuing education, sports coverage, and public relations programs were tackled within the APA framework. Lectures, symposia, and introductory courses were organized for a membership thirsty for knowledge and experience in a rapidly advancing discipline. There was little difficulty at that time finding volunteers to work on PR projects and provide physiotherapy coverage at sporting events from local “fun runs” to international championships. It is impossible to overestimate the contribution of members and office bearers at a State level, particularly in that early hyperactive period.

The WA Sports Medicine SIG first suggested the formation of a National Group. Their letter to the APA in April 1975 resulted in an interest meeting being held at the National Conference later that year. Despite lots of enthusiasm at this and the 1977 Hobart Conference, little progress was made.

On 15th February 1979 at the Canberra APA Conference, the first formal steps were taken to organize a National Group. A steering committee composed of the Victorian SMSIG Committee and a representative from each State SIG was endorsed to propose a constitution and take the group through its initial stages. Pro tem chairman was Peter Duras, secretary was Sandy Rennie who later became chairman of the Canadian Sports Physiotherapy Group, and newsletter editor was Steve Sandor. The committee gained APA endorsement, cooperated with the A.S.M.F on a national lecture tour, and initiated the Beiersdorf Sports Medicine Awards, demonstrating that the Group was ready to assume its National identity.

The “birth” took place on 22nd May 1980 in Melbourne. The constitution was passed allowing for a committee with a representative from each State and three executive office bearers coming from one State (in rotation) to save costs. The meeting emphasized that this would be a low budget organization when they only agreed to a $2 capitation fee after lengthy debate. Fortunately, in those pre-internet and phone hook-up days Beiersdorf underwrote some of the costs of face to face meetings and the newsletter. The initial executive was Peter Duras (Chair), Wendy Stubbs (Hon Sec) and Sandy Rennie (Hon Treas). In its first formal year, Federal membership grew to more than 500 as the committee took a number of initiatives on their behalf. All relevant national sporting bodies were informed of the formation and objectives of the Group, leading to several requests for advice, lecturers, and coverage. Aspects of education from undergraduate sports medicine training onwards were examined, and a specialization subcommittee, chaired by Craig Purdam, was appointed. A national sports insurance company was successfully lobbied to improve physiotherapy access. The Group established a visible presence with the design of a logo that was widely used for the next 20 years.

In May 1981 leadership passed to SA, with Tony Williamson in the Chair. It was suggested that ‘Sports Physiotherapy Group’ would be a more appropriate title, and this was agreed to by the APA in November that year. The Tasmanian Group was formed, and the ACT and NT gained observer status, while Queensland’s focus was on coverage of the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane. A number of sub committees were formed to establish national standards for courses, sporting event coverage and P.R.  Helen Gordon (NSW) succeeded Tony in 1983 as the Group rolled into an era of extraordinary growth in sports physiotherapy. Two-year terms of office were introduced as the Chair passed to Anne Davies (ACT), and then on to Dorothy Harris (Queensland), Noel McRoberts (WA) and Craig Allingham (Vic) in 1989.

Major developments in the 1980s included coverage of large multisport events such as the inaugural Australia Games and a rapidly increasing number of World Championships and international sporting events held in Australia. The Group assisted with recruiting and advice. Craig Purdam was Appointed Head Physiotherapist at the newly established AIS in Canberra. The number of physiotherapists traveling with national teams increased exponentially as evidenced by the Australian Olympic Team. David Zuker was our first and only physiotherapist in 1976. By 1984 (Los Angeles) the number had expanded to five. The NSPG established selection standards for touring physiotherapists and publicised opportunities.

As interest in the emerging specialty grew, the National Group was invited to organise sports physiotherapy specific sessions at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy Conference, APA National Conferences and, for the first time, as a partner at the A.S.M.F National Conference. Craig Allingham convened the highly successful inaugural Level 3 S.P. Course in Canberra in late 1989. Not everything happened overnight. Implementation of the Sports Physiotherapy Title was first proposed in the mid-80s, but was not passed by the House of Delegates until April 1996, following a great deal of work by Craig Allingham and Julian Russell-Jones.

Strong links were established between the National and State S.P.G.s and the various arms of the A.S.M.F. Lobbying resulted in the creation of the position of Vice President, Physiotherapy on the National Board of the ASMF, but there was a widespread concern at that organization’s promotion of sports trainers. 

As we entered the 90s, having established a high profile and the largest special group membership in the APA it became apparent that many other disciplines and individuals were also keen to work in this rapidly developing area. The response of the National Group, its State Chapters and membership was to step up the emphasis on research, the publication, and presentation of papers, clinical justification, injury prevention, manual techniques, higher levels of postgraduate education and improved communication, administration, public relations and advocacy. The number and standard of presentations by physiotherapists at sports medicine related courses and conferences increased markedly during this era though there was still a reluctance to jump into print. A number of physiotherapists buried themselves in groundbreaking research, often emerging with a Ph. D. and a national reputation. Jenny McConnell, Jill Cook, Gwen Jull, Carolyn Richardson, Di Hopper, Kay Crossley, Kim Bennell, Trish Wisbey-Roth, Lyn Watson, Victor Popov, Peter Stanton, Henry Wajswellner, Craig Purdam, and Craig Allingham were amongst those who emerged as experts and popular presenters, whilst raising the profile of sports physiotherapy.

1995 saw a major breakthrough with publication of the definitive text ‘Sports Physiotherapy, applied science and practice’ based on contributions from this expanding pool of talent, and edited by members of the Victorian Chapter.

The National Group standardized courses and lobbied for the establishment of tertiary courses in sports physiotherapy related areas in several states. The quality of the newsletter improved as the APA took over its printing and distribution. A major restructure brought state chapters directly under National SPG control, allowing them for the first time to employ a professional part-time APA administrator. A series of sports injury prevention posters were produced and widely distributed to members, whilst every four years the Olympics gave the Group and the APA the opportunity to distribute pamphlets highlighting the efforts of Ross Smith and his colleagues. Australian sports physiotherapy enjoyed a huge reputation abroad, due mainly to the success of our athletes, admiration of the work carried out at our  Sports Institutes, and respect for the professionalism and expertise of physios traveling abroad with teams. At home, however, the Group needed strong advocacy on issues such as fitness accreditation, coverage, and the sports trainers’ scheme. Peter Hamer, Craig Allingham, and Peter Duras were given the responsibility of improving cooperation between the Group and the ASMF, while at the same time protecting the interests of the profession. A permanent forum was established within the ASMF with representatives of allied professional groups including the NSPG. 

(Peter Duras  Member, Australian Soc of Sports Historians)

Chairs