SEASON's HALF TIME HUDDLE

(photo credit - Shelly.)

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A TEAM

It being the mid-point of a season that has not produced a great deal in the way of winning results for our senior men, I have gone looking for positive outcomes, of which there are many.  Let me begin by stating that our senior women’s program has been noticeable with their progress and success, the Premier women inflicting the lone loss on league leader, Meralomas.  Those involved with the program are over the moon with the strong culture that is being inculcated, and with the many young women registered.  Today’s blog highlights another area to sing praises about.  Our mini and junior age grade programs have been mighty with U16 and U18 boys playing in the BC Finals.  The boys U18 were Repeat Champions.

Injuries are a given in rugby, and we are very proud at CW of our Athletic Trainer/injury diagnosis, care and rehabilitation program for our players, both junior and senior.  All this falls under the purvey of Sheena Kelly, an eight season veteran Head Athletic Therapist at CW.  I turned to Sheena for some good news.  She has provided some amazing answers.  In fact, they are the ingredients for an Unsung Hero feature article. We will await our FULL TIME RECAP to complete such a special feature.  Toady’s content will follow a Q & A format, and Sheena’s answers will provide much interest.

Sheena has been our Athletic Therapist lead since 2018.  Her qualifications are first class, and I quote; “Alongside my role at CW, I teach in the Athletic & Exercise Therapy program at Camosun College. CW is my “fun” job where I get to stay hands-on, challenge my skills, and spend time with an incredible group of people.  I oversee all things medical - field-side injury care, return-to-play decisions, student recruitment and mentorship, and the general admin that keeps our medical program running smoothly.”

The team that you are responsible for is very visible.  Can you speak of who they are, what their roles and responsibilities are?  “Our student therapists are a huge part of the club’s success. We would not be able to keep up what we do without them. This season we have five Camosun AT students with the senior teams, Quinn, Kenzie, Ava, Charley, and Hélène, and four UVic kinesiology students who supported our junior teams in the fall, Olivia, Alyanna, Lexi, and Drew, (who also plays senior men’s rugby.)  I usually supervise 8-10 students per year, but this year I’ve had amazing support from fellow CW ATs: Amy Melvie with the senior men and Matt Wellington with the junior teams.  I am mainly working with the senior women this season while coordinating the medical side for the whole club.”

“And, yes, the students are volunteering but it is part of their course work to graduate.  The Camosun AT students must complete 280 hours supervised by a AT (me, Amy, and Matt), and specifically with a sports team in their 2nd and 3rd year of the program. In their 4th year, they move to a clinical setting for another 280hrs. Almost 900hrs total before graduating!  The UVic students are also volunteering as part of a Kinesiology course and must complete 30-40hrs with a sport team.”

WOW!!

 

                                                                Sheena's Team

We advertise that the care of our players as being important and one of the high values we stand for, from H-I-A baselines to therapy and recovery.  Sheena’s comments simply confirm this importance.  On behalf of the club, Sheena, and your team, we cannot thank you enough.  We conclude with Sheena’s words. “It’s been special to watch CW grow and evolve over my eight seasons here.  I can’t imagine working in any other sport or with any other club.  We have a truly unique community, and I’m grateful to be part of it.  Go CW!!”

 

                                                                               (Shelly)