Australian Sports Medicine Federation SA Branch Inc (ASMF), trading as SA Sports Medicine Association (SASMA) from December 2015, was established on the 7 June, 1961, and became an incorporated association in October 1976. The Business name of Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) was registered in South Australia in 1990.
In the early years the SA Branch of SMA played a significant role in the establishment of a multidisciplinary membership. The SA Branch had argued that membership should be available to all graduates working in sports medicine whether they were doctors, research scientists, physical educators or physiotherapists, not just medical doctors. Bert Apps, a physical educator, from the SA Branch, was the driving force behind the multidisciplinary membership.
SPORTS MEDICINE CLINIC
The ASMF established a Sports Medicine Clinic at 70 South Terrace, Adelaide which opened 11 February, 1977. Members of SASMA volunteered their services to consult at the Sunday morning sessions, with all discipline members involved including Doctors, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Physiotherapists, and Podiatrists.
The clinic was very successful and formed a very strong foundation for SASMA membership. Members referred to working/volunteering on Sunday mornings at the 'The Centre' to be like a teaching hospital with many of the original members taking on responsibilities of Council Members and becoming President.
One such member, Dr. Henry Kneebone, who was Hospital Administrator at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, played a significant role in the Sports Medicine Centre and because of his work in the Sports Medicine Centre it was agreed to name the library 'The Henry Kneebone Library', which remains at the Kidman Park Office today.
SASMA encouraged members to start their own clinics using the experience and model from the Sports Medicine Centre.
The Sunday morning sessions continued until 1986, with the practice being sold in December 1990.
In October 1992 the SASMA Council agreed to purchase the portable building in the grounds of the South Australian Sports Institute, which was owned by the Australian Institute of Sport (cycling and cricket). The SASMA office moved to Kidman Park and is still located there to this day.
WHY THE MOVE TO SA SPORTS MEDICINE ASSOCIATION
In 2013, the National Board of SMA made a decision to move to a centralised organisation (OneSMA) that would replace the previous state run branches.
A decision was made by the SMA-SA Branch members not to join OneSMA, however there continued to be an informal relationship between the SA Branch and the National Association. In late 2015, OneSMA advised the SA Branch that they should either join them or they would terminate any relationship with the SA Branch.
As a result, SASMA was launched in late December 2015. As an organisation it retains a sense of purposeful intent for the prevention, education and management services it delivers through its training to industry in the Australasian and Pacific regions at both the professional and community level. SASMA continues to have a strong collaborative position with our key industry partners and stakeholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
MEMBERS EDUCATION
Members Education remains the focus of SASMA. An Education Committee was formed in 1983 and continues to today. The first chair of the education committee was Dr Clive Aurich.
Since this time a high percentage of Presidents have been Chair of the Education Committee.
The first State Conference was held in 1983 at the Yaldara Barossa Motel at Lyndoch. The theme of the conference was 'Below the Knee'. A total of 45 members attended this conference which highlighted the benefit of a multidisciplinary approach to the health care of our sports patients, and represents the strength of the Federation today.
Education still remains at the forefront of SASMA with a State Conference held each year, along with a Professional Members Education Series and Discipline Specific Master Class Sessions. In addition to this, SASMA members regularly present at workshops, seminars and conferences in Adelaide, interstate and internationally.
COMMUNITY FOCUS
The SASMA Membership has always had a focus on providing advice, education and medical coverage for the sporting community.
The Sports Trainers Scheme was established in 1982 with the launch of a 25 hour course. The Accreditation scheme has been a success story for SASMA and has expanded to include the Level 2 Sports Trainers Course. Dr. Brian Sando contributed many hours establishing the National Sports Trainers Scheme in association with members in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.
The Sports Trainers Course has continued to evolve in consultation with the SASMA members and the sporting community. The Level 1 Course now involves an online component, which would not have been considered when the course was first introduced.
The medical coverage has grown over the years from professional members volunteering their time at the beginning, to sports trainers assisting professional members at a range of sports. SASMA provides coverage for school sports days, state and national level sporting championships, major events like the Australian Masters Games and Australian University Games, through to international events like the Tour Down Under and International Horse Trials.