MONDAY NIGHT INJURY CLINIC

The Sports Injury Clinic holds a regular Monday night injury clinic. Between 6pm and 8pm clients can receive injury management from the weekend’s activities at a reduced rate, phone 9783 9990 anytime on Monday to secure your time.

Our Physiotherapist will assess, treat and direct a rehabilitation program for your players’ immediately as well as an active management plan to avoid spending more time than is necessary the on sidelines. On the day of assessment our physiotherapist will contact and report to the injured players coach or manager by phone or email to report findings and outcomes. You will also have immediate access to Sports Medicine Doctors for assessment and investigations if required. A Monday night injury clinic session is fully covered by your private health fund with no gap to you, or in the event you don’t have private health insurance the cost is $20.

Preventing Netball Injuries

Facts on netball injuries

Netball is one of the most popular team sports in Australia, with participants of all ages and skill levels taking part.

Statistics from the 2004 Australian Sports Commission ERASS survey showed an estimated 564,300 Australians aged 15 years and older played netball in the previous 12-month period. Netball Victoria recorded over 106,000 registered Victorian players in 2006.

Netball places many demands on the technical and physical skills of players, with injuries occurring predominantly to the lower leg, wrist, hand and fingers.

How many injuries?

• The rate of injury for netballers is 14 injuries per 1,000 hours played.
• From 2002-2004, netball injury statistics recorded 635 Victorian hospital admissions and 2,316 emergency department presentations.
• Within this period, females accounted for 88% of netballers treated in Victorian hospitals.

The causes and types of injuries

• Common causes of injuries are awkward landings, slips/falls, player contact/collision, over-exertion, overuse and being hit by the ball.
• Ankle, wrist, hand, finger and knee injuries occur frequently.
• The most common types of injuries are sprains, bruising, fractures and dislocations.

Safety tips for netballers

Good preparation is important

• Undertake training prior to competition to ensure readiness to play.
• Always warm up, stretch and cool down. A recent netball study found that not warming up before a game increases the risk of injury by 48%.
• Undergo fitness programs to develop aerobic fitness, strength, balance, coordination and flexibility.

Good technique and practices will help prevent injury

• Participate in training programs to improve body balance (using wobble boards or balance mats). Poor balance may increase the risk of injury.
• Learn correct passing, catching and landing techniques. Incorrect landing may increase the risk of injury to the knee. Further information on landing is available in the University of Ballarat Down to Earth
• A Practical Guide to Safe and Effective Landing in Netball publication, available at www.smartplay.com.au.
• Coaches should undertake regular re-accreditation and education to ensure their knowledge is kept up-to-date.
• Accredited umpires and adherence to the rules decreases the risk of contact and injury.

Wear the right protective equipment

• Seek professional advice on footwear.
• Consider preventive ankle taping or bracing to reduce injury risks.

Check netball environment for hazards

• Use Netball Victoria’s Game Day Checklist (available at www.netballvic.com.au) to ensure a safe playing environment.
• Check and maintain the playing surface to remove hazards e.g. loose gravel.
• Provide adequate run-off area around the court.
• Goal posts should be padded and secured firmly to the ground with no part posing a tripping risk.
• Remove courtside hazards.

Modify rules and equipment for children

• Encourage children to participate in a Net Set GO! program (incorporating FunNet and Netta) to develop good skills and techniques.
• Use lower goal rings for relevant age groups.

Other safety tips

• Drink water before, during and after play.
• Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen and a hat when playing outdoors.
• Discourage play in extreme hot, wet or slippery conditions.
• Qualified first aid personnel, first aid kits, ice packs and a stretcher should be available at all times.
• Enforce and adhere to a strict blood rule.

If an injury occurs

• Players should seek prompt attention from qualified first aid personnel.
• Ensure players are fully rehabilitated before returning to play.
• An ankle brace should be worn for at least three months after serious ankle injury.

This article was provided by SmartPlay, to see the original document with references click here.

MOVING MARCH 2008

Dear valued customers, we are please to inform you that we will be moving to much larger and more convenient premises in the future. Although we are moving, it is only 20meters to the right. Currently, we are located at 361, the new location will be at 365-367 Nepean Hwy, Frankston. The new premises will have more treatment rooms, larger rehabilitation studio and pilates facilities as well as much more easily accessible car parking spaces.

A PRO-ACTIVE 2007 FOR YOUR CLUB

The Sports Injury Clinic gives you tips and offers services that can help your club be pro-active in preparation on the training track and ultimately lead to improved performance on the field.

Ground conditions affected by the drought are just one of the challenges we face during 2007 in getting your players up to peak condition.

However, with The Sports Injury Clinic’s AFL approved programs and player management systems, we can implement effective strategies for your club in a structured and pro-active way, 7 days a week.

Some of the concerns coaches consistently raise with us include injury reoccurrence, non structured training nights and rehabilitation programs.

The Sports Injury Clinic can address all these issues positively, working within your current club infrastructure.

What can we do for your club?

Assistance 24 hours a day

Your club will have access to an on-call physiotherapist who will give immediate assistance for players, coaches and trainers 24 hours a day. Just call 1800 351 421 for on-the-spot advice.

Exercise Physiology

The Sports Injury Clinic’s qualified Exercise Physiologists can come to your club and conduct specialist training sessions. They can also assist with structuring your training year based on prior knowledge of football injury and best outcomes. Exercise physiology sessions are also available on-line for your club during training and specialist injury sessions. (i.e. Hamstrings, groins, quads, knee/ankle injury.)

Injury Updates

You will receive 20 Injury Updates per year which will give you facts and information regarding certain injuries for use by coaches and players.