Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) would like to pay tribute to Dr Hugh Hazard, an ASMF Fellow and valued member of our SMA community who passed away earlier this month, aged 77.
Dr Hazard was extremely well-respected in the world of sport, particularly in rugby league, having been the Chief Medical Officer for the National Rugby League (NRL) (1998-2010) and, prior to that, for Super League (1997). Dr Hazard was also team physician for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (for 18 years), as well as NSW Residents, Country Origin, NSW State of Origin, ARL Prime Minister’s XIII, Australian Kangaroos, Sydney Olympic and West Sydney Razorbacks teams. Hugh was also a regular at tournaments such as the Rugby League World 9s and World 7s and the Pacific Nations Cup. He was committed to player welfare and well-being – particularly in terms of injury prevention.
In addition to his outstanding contribution to sport and rugby league, Hugh was a treasured member of the SMA community. Over the past three decades, Dr Hazard held numerous positions at SMA, including President of the NSW Branch, Vice-President of the National Branch, as well as being the Chairman of SMA’s Children in Sport Committee. He was also instrumental in writing SMA’s constitution.
In 2015, Dr Hazard was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his significant service to sports medicine and rugby league as both a physician and sports medicine administrator.
Hugh will be deeply missed by the SMA community and the wider sports medicine and sporting fraternity. We offer our sincere condolences to Hugh’s family, friends and colleagues.