Sports Medicine Australia has launched a new online platform to help ensure tens of thousands of sports participants across Australia remain safe or get the immediate assessment and treatment they need for on-field injuries.

The new platform allows thousands of community, rural and regional clubs, schools and universities to gain access to accredited sports trainers to manage sporting injuries, concussion, sports taping and triaging injured athletes.

“Accredited Sports Trainers are there to keep athletes safe,” Sports Medicine Australia CEO Jamie Crain said.

“They help athletes immediately deal with issues ranging from routine to serious.”

“For instance, Sports Trainers can help an athlete by properly taping up a troublesome ankle, provide field-side injury management during a game, refer an injured athlete to their GP or call an ambulance if it’s more serious.” 

“Organisations that ensure accredited and insured personnel are present are best placed to deal with the unexpected,” Mr Crain said.

The new platform Sports Trainer Connect solves a major problem, giving schools and sporting organisations the ability to quickly and easily connect with and hire accredited SMA Sports Trainers. 

“All Sports Trainers have had their certifications verified by SMA before joining the platform, which includes First Aid, CPR and Working with Children,” Mr Crain said.

Organisations that need the services of a sports trainer, advertise their event on the Sports Trainer Connect website. Only accredited sports trainers will be able to apply for roles through the platform.

Nita Walker, who has been a Sports Trainer for about four years, is an early adopter of Sports Trainer Connect and is looking forward to working with even more clubs and community organisations across Australia.

The Tasmania based Sports Trainer, who works with elite and local clubs says: “I travel around Australia for my work. I love being able to give back to the community and keep people feeling safe to participate, especially at community club level.

“It’s also important for parents to feel safe that there’s someone there to address their child’s needs.”

Sports Trainer, Nita Walker, with the Monash Uni Fencing team at UniSport 2023.

Nita, who is also an Exercise and Sports Scientist, has worked with AFL, NPL and NRL teams at elite and local levels, other sports include fencing, handball, equestrian, motocross. 

“I’ve worked with pretty much every sport where there are injuries, which is every sport,” she said.