Scots rugby medics support Team GB

Scots rugby medics support Team GB

Scottish rugby medics are lending their support to Team GB as 366 multi-disciplinary athletes compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.The five medical practitioners – three doctors and two physiotherapists – will bring more than 50 years combined experience in rugby to Rio, where they’ll offer their expertise behind the scenes across a number of sports.Scottish Rugby Head of Performance Medical, Paul McGinley [pictured right], is the governing body’s only full-time staff member to go on medical secondment, as a physiotherapist, while regularly contracted doctors Jonathan Hanson [pictured left] and Alastair Nicol (brother of former Scotland captain Andy), and former employees Dr Kate Jordan and Louise Imrie (nee Wright) also head out.It’s a rare honour to be involved in an Olympic Games and I’m sure everyone selected is very proud. I hope they enjoy the amazing experience.”- – Chief Medical Officer and Scotland Team Doctor, James RobsonPaul McGinley joined the governing body as Glasgow Warriors Physio in 2006 – becoming Lead Physio in 2008 – before progressing to the national team two years later; a post he retained before taking on wider responsibility for Scottish Rugby’s performance medical teams.He will work with the GB Sevens women’s team who will join the men in marking rugby’s first outing in the Games since the Paris event in 1924.”I’ve been given an outstanding opportunity to be involved with sevens to support our players as they strive to achieve their dreams, said McGinley.It’s already been an incredible experience; the Games are approaching fast and the excitement is building.”Being immersed in an environment surrounded by world class athletes from many sports, and as part of one exceptionally well-supported Team GB has already proved enlightening.Dr Alastair Nicol is a Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine and has particular expertise in the planning and co-ordination of medical support operations.He has worked as Team Doctor for Scotland ‘A’ for around ten years and has provided cover for medical services for various other squads and events at BT Murrayfield, Twickenham, and the Rugby World Cup.He will bring his knowledge to the role of Chief Medical Officer of Team GB’s preparation camp.Skye-based doctor Jonathan Hanson has worked with the Scottish Rugby for close to a decade, with age-grade and senior international teams.He acted as Team Doctor on Scotland’s 2013 summer tour to South Africa – while Robson was on a sixth British & Irish Lions tour in Australia – and is both a Co-founder and Director of the SCRUMCAPS (Scottish Club Rugby Union Medical Cardiac Pitch-side Skills) course, and will take up the role of Medical Lead for Team GB at the Deodoro complex in Rio.He said: “I’m extremely proud to be selected, but most importantly the complete focus should be on our Team GB athletes.It’s great for sport and exercise medicine in the Scotland that we are supporting Team GB athletes to be the best they can be.Dr Kate Jordan worked for Scottish Rugby for six years (2009 to 2015) as Team Doctor for Scotland Women and Scotland Women under-20, while also providing match doctor cover for international sevens and Edinburgh Rugby matches.Louise Imrie worked with the governing body for three years (2005 to 2008) as physio to the Border Reivers, the then centralised Scottish Rugby Academy, Scotland U19, Scotland 7s, returning to work on secondment with Scotland A at the 2009 IRB Nations Cup.And the connections don’t stop there.Dr Niall Elliott – Head of Sports Medicine for Team GB – has not only attended and completed the SCRUMCAPS course, he completed his GP training in 1994 under the tutelage of Dr Robson at his Dundee practice, back when Robson himself was part-time.Team GB is not the only multi-disciplinary team to benefit from experienced rugby medics, with former Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland 7s physio Stephen Mutch – contracted to the senior Scotland team since opening his own clinic – appointed Head of Physiotherapy for Team Scotland for the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast.

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