There’s something incredibly rewarding about being a physiotherapist. Day-to-day, we help people regain their strength, improve mobility, and get back to living life the way they want. But every so often, we’re given the chance to be part of something truly special – the kind of event that pushes our skills to the limit and provides an unforgettable experience. That’s exactly what happened when our team supported Australia at the 2024 Federation of International Touch World Cup in Nottingham, UK, from 15–21 July.
Australia dominated the competition, taking home 12 of the 13 gold medals on offer. But behind every success story, there’s a dedicated team working hard behind the scenes. The medical team, made up of physiotherapists, sports trainers, and doctors, played a critical role in keeping the athletes fit, healthy, and ready to perform. Steve Cunningham, Steph Winchester, and Nathan Duguid from our clinics were at the heart of it all, providing crucial sports physiotherapy care to the athletes.
Steve Cunningham on the side-lines at the 204 Touch Football World Cup, working with the Men’s Open team who took out gold.
Competing in a world-class event like the Touch World Cup puts an enormous strain on the athletes. With so many games in a short period, injuries and fatigue are unavoidable. This is where sports physiotherapy becomes vital. Our role wasn’t just to treat injuries as they happened – it was about preventing them, supporting recovery, and keeping the athletes at their peak.
“Our job as physios is not just to treat injuries, but to make sure the athletes are performing at their best, game after game,” says Steve Cunningham. “Every decision we make could affect whether a player stays in the tournament or not.”
The injuries we managed ranged from muscle strains and sprains to more serious joint issues that required immediate care. But beyond treatment, we focused on injury prevention and keeping the athletes mentally strong. Steph Winchester noted, “It’s a high-pressure environment, but we’re there to give the players confidence, helping them trust their bodies and push through.”
The success of the Australian team wasn’t just about the players. The medical team – including sports physiotherapists, sports trainers, and doctors – worked as one cohesive unit. Together, we made quick decisions, provided targeted care, and ensured every athlete had the best chance to recover and return to play.
“Our priority was to make sure the players could take the field, game after game,” says Nathan Duguid. “Everyone – from the physios to the doctors – was focused on keeping the athletes healthy, and that made a huge difference.”
The collaboration between the medical professionals and the coaching staff was key to managing the intense schedule. With back-to-back games, managing fatigue and minor injuries was a constant challenge. Sports physiotherapy played a central role in helping the athletes maintain their performance across the entire tournament.
The medical team supporting Australia, comprised a physiotherapists, sports trainers, physiotherapy students, and a doctor.
One unique aspect of this year’s event was the involvement of final-year physiotherapy students from the University of Nottingham, who had the chance to observe and assist with the Australian team. These students gained invaluable experience by working alongside seasoned sports physiotherapists like Steve, Steph, and Nathan.
“It was an incredible learning opportunity,” one student reflected. “We saw how injuries were managed in real-time, how quickly treatment decisions were made, and the importance of communication with both the coaches and athletes.”
For these students, seeing the breadth of injuries and treatments first-hand provided an eye-opening introduction to the realities of sports physiotherapy. From acute muscle injuries to ongoing management of fatigue, the students learned the importance of teamwork and quick thinking in elite sport environments.
The University of Nottingham students enjoyed the banter of the Australian squad and the amazing learning opportunity.
The 2024 Federation of International Touch World Cup was a powerful reminder of how crucial sports physiotherapy is to elite sports. It’s not just about treatment – it’s about preventing injuries, supporting recovery, and enabling athletes to perform at their highest level, game after game.
Australia’s dominance at the World Cup wasn’t just a victory for the players. It was also a testament to the hard work of the entire medical team – from physiotherapists to sports trainers and doctors. Their dedication ensured that the athletes were able to compete at their best, even under the most challenging conditions.
For our team, being part of such an event is an incredible privilege. It’s a chance to grow professionally, refine our skills, and contribute to something bigger than ourselves. And for the next generation of sports physiotherapists, like the students from Nottingham, it was a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity that will shape their future careers.
If you’re passionate about keeping athletes performing at their best, sports physiotherapy is a dynamic and rewarding career path. From elite events like the World Cup to everyday care in the clinic, physiotherapists are at the heart of keeping athletes healthy and thriving.
