University News Last updated 06 February 2018
A University academic has been given an important role supporting the England Men's Basketball Team in this year's Commonwealth Games.
Peter Thain, who leads the programme for BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy at Birmingham City University, has been appointed to the Medical Team supporting England Men’s Basketball for the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Peter said: “I’m incredibly honoured to be offered the opportunity to be part of Team England for the Commonwealth Games. Working at such a global sporting event is a great privilege and a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
“As a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy programme at Birmingham City University, we are very proud to offer a contemporary, evidence based, practice led programme.
“All academic staff are clinically active, and the opportunity for me to work at the Commonwealth Games is just one example that enriches the Sports Therapy programme, as it allows us to deliver case studies and experiences from industry directly into the classroom.”
The Commonwealth Games will be running from 4-15 April 2018. The Preliminary Rounds for Basketball will be hosted at Cairns and Townsville Convention Centres, before the finals head to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Queensland, Australia.
Peter, who is a Graduate Sports Therapist and Chartered Physiotherapist, will be supporting the Team when they travel to Australia in preparation for the Commonwealth Games at the end of March, and will be with the team throughout the Games.
Peter’s role started back in November at the first preparation camp held at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester. He conducted the initial medical screening and developed conditioning programmes, alongside the Strength and Conditioning Coach, to ensure the athletes are in the best possible condition to compete at the Games.
The role of a Sports Therapist is much more than just treating injuries. When in Australia, Peter will be kept busy as he leads the conditioning and recovery sessions, prepares the athletes for competition with treatments including soft tissue therapy and athletic taping, before sitting court-side to provide acute trauma management and treatment should it be required. After the game any injury assessments and treatment will take place, before recovering and preparing for the subsequent games.
Underpinned by the latest research, and accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists, BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy at Birmingham City University offers students the opportunity to develop specialist skills in the prevention, treatment, management and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries.