The safety of our gymnasts is of the utmost importance to us here at Welsh Gymnastics and so we are delighted to announce an ongoing partnership with the Physios in Sport Academy (PISA), who will be providing first aid and injury management for competitors at our events.
After conducting a review of our events, we have identified the need for additional medical cover at our competitions to help prevent the risk of injury and discomfort for our gymnasts. We are thrilled to have the Physios in Sport Academy (PISA) of Cardiff University coming on board to offer on-hand qualified and student physiotherapists for these gymnasts to meet this need.
How will PISA be helping Welsh Gymnastics?
PISA will be providing the following services:
- Provision of first aid and injury management at event
- Assessment of injuries that occur during the event
- Triage injuries as required with onward referral to A&E if required
- Advice regarding ongoing management of above injuries
Not only that, but the partnership is mutually beneficial as it provides student physiotherapists with an introduction to gymnastics and allows the newly qualified to work at competition level.
Conversely Welsh Gymnastics will be helping to provide invaluable contextual experience for clinicians, who require this as they work through a specialisation pathway in sport and exercise.
Ann Bevan, CEO of Welsh Gymnastics said: “Welsh Gymnastics is delighted to be able to go into partnership with Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sport and Exercise Medicine (Physios in Sport) Academy (PISA) and Cardiff University.
"The purpose of the relationship is twofold. Firstly by providing a physiotherapy service at identified events Welsh Gymnastics will not only be raising the quality of the service provision at competition for our members, it will also ensure that the provision of first aid and injury management at events will be immediate and quality controlled.
"Secondly it will allow qualified physiotherapists the opportunities to work at competition venue and gain valuable insight and experience in a variety of gymnastics disciplines.”
Sian Knott, Lecturer of Physiotherapy at Cardiff University said on the partnership: "PISA and Cardiff University are delighted to work with Welsh Gymnastics to provide competition cover at identified events. This opportunity will help develop physiotherapists of the future giving them invaluable exposure of working at a competition site whilst working alongside and being mentored by a more experienced sports physiotherapist."