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About Sports Medicine Australia

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Sports Medicine Australia is the peak multidisciplinary body for sports medicine, sports science and physical activity in Australia. 

We represent the many professionals involved in these fields, from medical practitioners and allied health professionals to sports trainers, academics, teachers and others.  

As Australia’s pre-eminent multidisciplinary sports medicine body, with a heritage dating back to 1963, we champion our members through leadership, advocacy and education. 

Leadership: We bring together and support our multidisciplinary network of members to drive progress in the areas of sports exercise and medicine, sports injury management, sports science, and the healthy and safe participation of Australians in physical activity, sport and recreation.  

Advocacy: We are a leading source of information, advice and expertise on the issues of most importance to our members, such as injury management, policy and funding for sports medicine and chronic disease prevention programs, gender equity and older people in sport, safe sport for children and drugs in sport. 

Education: We play an active role in educating and training professionals and community members about safe participation in sport, recreation and physical activity, including through the grass-roots Safer Sport Program which provides essential resources to parents, officials, coaches, trainers, teachers and participants.

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Our vision

Enhanced health outcomes for all Australians through knowledge, training and safe participation in sport, exercise and physical activity. 

Our mission

To act as Australia’s peak multidisciplinary authority for sports medicine, sports science and physical activity. 

Our culture and values

We build relationships that are respectful, and value the contribution of all members to our continued success.  

We strive to be open, accountable and approachable, and encourage knowledge-sharing. We believe in the application of science and research to steer best practice in sports medicine and physical activity. As a not-for-profit organisation, we work to build strong and valuable, long-term relationships with stakeholders to maintain our financial sustainability, while delivering on our vision and mission. 

The values that define our culture and drive our behaviour are:

  • Integrity
  • Collaboration
  • Accountability
  • Respect
  • Excellence
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Our Story

SMA was formed in 1963 following the amalgamation of the Australian Sports Medicine Association and the Australian Federation of Sports Medicine.

Membership was originally restricted to medical doctors but was widened to include a range of health care professionals such as orthopaedic surgeons, sports physicians, sports doctors, physiotherapists, optometrists, dentists, podiatrists, dietitians, psychologists, accredited exercise physiologists, sports scientists, exercise scientists, nurses, teachers, academics and chiropractors.

Major Historical Milestones

1963 – Australian Sports Medicine Federation established.

1964 – Australian Journal of Sports Medicine first published. Now called the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 

1965 – Inaugural Australian Sports Medicine Federation Conference, Adelaide, South Australia. 

1974 – Hosted FIMS Conference, Melbourne, Victoria. 

1982 – Launched the Australian Sports Trainers Scheme and published the Survey of Drug Use in Australian Sport. 

1983 – Sport Health magazine first published. 

1984 – Established National Office in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 

1986 – Hosted XXIII FIMS World Congress in Sports Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria. 

1989 – Published Guidelines for Safety in Sport. 

1999 – 5th International Olympic Committee World Congress on Sports Sciences, Sydney, New South Wales. 

2010 – National Office became a virtual office with staff members located in state offices. 

2016 – One SMA formed.