Indigenous sporting health in good hands

Indigenous sporting health in good hands

A group of Indigenous students have completed a sports training certificate that is set to create a new study pathway with the Fitzroy Stars.

RMIT Chiropractic student Conor Zyskowski with Fitzroy Stars football player Gary Saunders

In collaboration with Sports Medicine Australia (SMA), Hands on Health Australia (HoHA) and supported by RMIT’s Ngarara Willim Centre and the Biomedical and Health Innovation Enabling Capability Platform, 10 participating students from Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Medical Imaging and Exercise Sciences courses completed the certificate, which will enable them to gain further work experience at the Indigenous football and netball club.

The new pathway program builds on the student health clinic partnership with the Fitzroy Stars that was announced in May. HoHA oversees the clinic where RMIT students work under clinical supervision.

Deputy Dean of Teaching and Learning for the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences Professor Madeleine Ball said these sorts of initiatives created unique experiences that were unparalleled and set students up for the future world of work.

“The School of Health and Biomedical Sciences (SHBS) is committed to nurturing graduates who are work ready, compassionate and resilient and this initiative fits well with our mission,” she said.

“The program enables Indigenous students in the School to acquire important practical knowledge, skills and confidence in areas of sport, health and wellbeing.”

Indigenous Health Associate Professor Aunty Kerrie Doyle said students were given first-hand experience of assessing Indigenous health that would foster the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to be part of Closing the Gap.

“Initiatives such as these give our people an opportunity to build relationships of trust and goodwill with fellow students and other supportive members of our Community,” she said.

Second year chiropractic student Kiara Davis said acquiring these hands-on skills so early in their training was “an important step in personal and professional development”.

Students acquire hands-on-skills and gain access to a new learning pathway with the Fitzroy Stars.

Aboriginal Health in Aboriginal Hands program coordinator April Clarke commended the students` passion and enthusiasm during the sports training program.

 “Sport is where our community meets on common ground, builds relationships and promotes health and wellbeing on so many levels,” she said.

“Using skilled and caring hands to heal and draw on the bush for our food, medicine, exercise and spiritual nourishment is closely aligned with the self-care and health-care offered at RMIT.”

The Fitzroy Stars Football and Netball Club focuses on more than just sport, creating a club culture where healthy lifestyles are promoted and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities is a priority, and this has been a valuable part of the experience for RMIT students.

Ball said graduates of the program would be eligible to apply for work experience positions as sports trainers in sporting organisations, with several already receiving offers to work part-time with the Fitzroy Stars.

Chiropractic student Krissie Dowlin completed her clinical placement at the Fitzroy Stars, and says it is a time she looks back on fondly.

“My time at the Fitzroy Stars not only helped develop my diagnostic and examination skills as a health professional, but [it] opened my eyes to the importance of this club for the broader community,” she said.

“My experience at the club has allowed me to further understand Indigenous culture and has ignited the passion in me to take part in and hopefully even facilitate similar programs in the future.”

HoHA is an organisation committed to delivering quality health care to marginalised communities across Australia through training, education, research and treatment.  The partnership enables Chiropractic and Exercise Science students to gain vital hands-on and accredited experience, while providing treatment to a community which might not otherwise have access to these key health services.

HoHA also arranges sports carnivals where students are able to provide hands-on supervised care to the players and other members of the Indigenous community.

Story: Shelley Brady

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.