NSW Rugby Country State Championships An Analysis of

NSW Rugby Country State Championships. An Analysis of Injuries, and Onsite Medical Team Demand Nowra, May 19 -20 th 2007 Dr OATES, E; A. Prof JONES, M Shoalhaven Memorial Hospital, South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service, Nowra, Australia University of Wollongong

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 SDMH Surgical Team Onsite Service § NSW Rugby Country State Championships § May 19 -20, 2007 § Number of participants ~300, aged 11 to 17 years. § Onsite medical support was provided by: § 4 Doctors (x 3 Sx Registrars) § 1 RN, 1 Physiotherapist § 4 Medical Student ‘Spotters’ § Basic facilities with equipment donated by SESIAHS

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 Data was collected prospectively on all injuries significant enough to require assessment § time of injury/presentation § age § team § field position § injury type § acute management § disposition decision § referral/destination

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 Breakdown of Injury Data § 31 recorded significant injuries (~10% incidence) § Over representation (84%) of U 12 and U 13 players § 64% of presentations prior to 1200 hrs

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 Breakdown of Injury Data § All injuries requiring referral/retrieval to hospital (19%) occurring prior to 1200 hrs § Lower limb injuries represented 38% § Forwards are more injury prone (65%) than backs

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 Presentations by Hour

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 Injury Location

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 Injuries by Age

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 Post Mortem Recommendations § Medical support be present, with all resources functioning, from the commencement of the first game § The skewed age distribution demands aptitude with the young child/adolescent & injury patterns § Field size, separation, and participant numbers demands scouting crew and wireless communication

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 Post Mortem Recommendations § Injury type requires specific orthopaedic and physiotherapy experience and mobility aids +- immobilisation devices on hand § Ambulance transportation is required for retrieval to definitive investigation and management

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 Specific Considerations § The youngest competitors were actually at higher risk of sustaining a significant, side-lining injury compared to older players § ? Requires specialised clinical focus and preventative health promotion §? Need for integration of service delivery with on-site allied health to help prevent acute injury and sequelae.

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 Specific Considerations § NSW Country Rugby State Championships § NSW Junior State Motocross Championships § NSW PSSA Netball State Championships § Athletics NSW State Cross Country Championship § Australian Open of Wakeboarding Championships § Junior Sedans Sprintcar South Coast Championships and Australian Compact Title

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007 Prospective Considerations § Evolution of acute surgical service provision in the community § Organisation of region-wide services with integrated retrieval programs and protocols § Offering community based training within organised infrastructure

NSW Rugby State Championships May 2007