AND THIS REALLY IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR SPORTS MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS TO VOLUNTEER TO BE PART OF IT

services to athletes. It is essential that volunteers for sports massage are aware of the importance of working within an interdisciplinary team, of utilising the clinical judgements of others and of using referrals to other disciplines when necessary.

Depending on the sport and venue, some sports

massage practitioners may be based in the Athlete Medical Centres at the competition venues. The sports massage practitioners within the Village Polyclinics will work closely with other medical professionals, including chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists. The detailed provision of these services is already being planned by the Physical Therapy Workstream, led by physiotherapist Lynn Booth. All short-listed applicants will be interviewed, and their

skills and experience will determine success and help determine at which venues (or Polyclinic) they are most appropriately based. At LOCOG we are looking for sports massage practitioners with sport-specific experience. Experience of looking after elite athletes will be of particular value. By identifying and selecting volunteers early, LOCOG will identify any potential gaps in sport specific cover or experience. Sports massage practitioners selected as volunteers have the chance to gain further relevant experience and arrange leave and cover from their employer well before the Games.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are truly inspirational

and this really is a unique opportunity for sports massage practitioners to volunteer to be part of it and to promote the expertise available in the UK. Medical volunteers bring unique and special skills which will enable London to host a safe, successful and inspirational Olympic and Paralympic Games. We need your help to do that. All sports massage practitioners will need to volunteer

for at least ten days. It may be possible to divide this time into two five-day periods, but not into any smaller units. Work time during the days will need to be flexible to cover the busiest periods and variable competition schedule. Sports

THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES ARE TRULY INSPIRATIONAL

massage practitioners who can commit to more than the basic 10 days will be much appreciated. All volunteers will be expected to attend test events in 2011 and training days in the run up to the Games. There is no remuneration or honorarium for volunteers but they will receive a volunteer uniform, a meal when on duty and free local transport. Volunteers are expected to find and pay for their own accommodation whilst working at the Games. If you are a sports massage practitioner and would like to be part of this once in a lifetime event, do you fulfil the following criteria? If not, are you aware of how to attain this before volunteering commences in July 2010? If you need any advice about how to develop these skills

contact physicaltherapies@london2012.com LOCOG looks forward to working with all its medical

volunteers to provide high quality medical care to Olympic and Paralympic athletes and all those taking part in the Games. To find out more about general and other specialist volunteer opportunities check the LOCOG web site www.london2012.com

Essential criteria n Holder of a massage qualification equivalent to National Framework Level 4 (D521) or a minimum of 4 years working full-time in elite or professional sport n Suitable professional liability insurance to a minimum of £2 million n 3 years qualified at the time of application (2010) n Holder of a current basic first aid in sport or life support qualification n Have experience of working in a multidisciplinary team n By 2012, have 4 years experience of working in a musculoskeletal field or have experience of working in a Games-related discipline i.e. neurology/amputee rehabilitation n Excellent team worker, and good communicator n Knowledge of the World Anti-Doping Agency policy

Preferable criteria n Holder of a massage qualification equivalent to National Framework Level 5 (D522) n By 2012, have experience of working in a training and/or competitive sporting environment for a minimum of 3 years n Experience of working with national level athletes n Experience of working within with special groups/disability sport i.e. amputees, spinal injuries, visually impaired, neurologically impaired n Experience of working in a multi-sport environment.

THE AUTHOR

Lynn Booth is a physiotherapist and currently working with the national teams of the English Ladies’ Golf Association, with the Regional Boys’ squads and national U16 and A Squads for

the English Golf Union. She also works with squads from England Hockey. Lynn was chairman of the British Olympic Association’s Physiotherapy Committee from 1992-2004. She worked at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games with the Great Britain Women’s Hockey Squad and was Head Physiotherapist for Team GB at the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. She is Clinical Lead of the Physical Therapies Workstream for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and the current editor of sportEX medicine journal.

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sportEX dynamics 2010;24(Apr):7-8