FEATURE: DR MARK JONES LEADING THE SOCCEROOS’ MEDICAL TEAM: DR MARK JONES THE FIFA WORLD CUP IS A GRAND SPECTACLE AND ONE OF THE MUCH-AWAITED, PREMIER SPORTING EVENTS IN THE WORLD. FOR MANY, THE EXCITEMENT AND THE PASSION OF THE EVENT FAR OUTWEIGH THE SACRIFICES AND THE CHALLENGES TO BECOME PART OF THE WORLD CUP. DR MARK JONES, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR FOOTBALL FEDERATION AUSTRALIA AND HEAD TEAM DOCTOR FOR THE SOCCEROOS SPOKE TO SPORT HEALTH AND EXPLAINED HIS ROLE IN HELPING THE TEAM PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING WORLD CUP. BY JORDEN MERRILEES Dr Mark Jones’ role as Head Team Doctor These screenings are used to assess any places him in charge of the Socceroos’ weakness in movement patterns or extensive medical team consisting of two injuries and illnesses that players may be physiotherapists, a massage therapist carrying from their time with their club and two sports scientists. For major teams. This procedure then allows Mark tournaments there is an additional and the medical staff to determine physiotherapist. whether certain activities during training may need to be adjusted, or establish Central to the wellbeing and performance if the player is physically able to train. of the athletes are the medical processes and procedures laid out by Mark and his team. This includes physical screenings that take place on arrival at camps. 8 VOLUME 36 • JUNE ISSUE 2018