FROM THE CHAIRMAN FROM THE MY TIME WITH THE CHAIRMAN SOCCEROOS AT THE 2006 WORLD CUP IN GERMANY AN INSIDE LOOK INTO THE MEDICAL TEAM AT 2006 WORLD CUP, WHERE I WAS TEAM DOCTOR FOR THE SOCCEROOS. O n the eve of Russia 2018 wehope the Socceroos emulateand even exceed the feats oftheir predecessors in 2006. relationships – this time with a Dutchphysiotherapist. This is common infootball – I can understand coaches preferfamiliarity in such a key role. We had to On the medical side we wish the best for prove through our actions the quality the support team of hard-working of sports medicine in Australia and in professionals, some of whom were the end believe we achieved this. around in Germany 2006, notably the head physiotherapist Les Gelis. Mostly the tournament was injury-free for us. We saw the arrival of now Andrew Jowett Many would consider the World Cup Socceroos legend Tim Cahill on the world andrew.jowett@sma.org.au as the pre-eminent global sporting event stage scoring key goals in Kaiserslautern. as evidenced by the granting of the We had amazing travelling support from tournament to a country rather than Australia such that I will always remember a city. It was certainly an amazing the corner of gold at Kaiserslautern experience to be involved in the stadium. Devastatingly and unexpectedly Socceroos in Germany 2006 and return our key player and the start of his home to hear stories of how it captivated generation was unable to play the round so many. Inside however the story is of 16 game against Italy. I had checked on so different and the road so hard I’m him at lunch after our recovery from the in awe of people like Les – 10 years was game against Croatia and he was fine enough for me. Travel, time away from so when my phone rang from his room family, financial costs, opportunity costs it was a surprise – acute toe joint all take their toll. The qualification inflammation had developed rapidly. pathway was easier then but had so much We did what we could, sought advice invested in the playoff with Uruguay and and opinions both in Germany and at Many would consider the famous penalty shootout. After twoprevious failed qualifications (Iran 1997 home, and yet four days wasn’t enough. the World Cup as the In true Aussie spirit the squad stood up and Uruguay 2001) I almost resigned and were it not for a controversial penalty pre-eminent global on the spot with the overwhelming we may have defeated Italy. It ended so feeling of satisfaction to reach the finals. abruptly but was a fabulous journey. sporting event as Fortunately, I was talked out of it! evidenced by the I hope we left a legacy. The medical team The run into Germany was not easy with maintains a high standard in supporting granting of the a new coach and players all over the the players. We now have a fulltime world. We lost a Socceroos stalwart professional mens league. Our womens tournament to to a rare traumatic coronary artery team are world-beaters and real chances a country rather dissection in the lead up and then a key to win a World Cup. Football in Australia defender to calf issues, so the medical has grown in participation to be the than a city. team were working hard. number one club sport with 1.1 million players in the latest Ausplay data. Sports Our pre-tournament preparation under medicine professionals are engaged in another Dutch coach started on his home making the playing fields safer and turf and on the whole was smooth with improving our performances. Volunteers reasonable performances and building continue their crucial roles on fields confidence. Similar to the current set-up around the country. Join the journey! the coach chose to bring in some of his own staff from Holland which brought its Go Socceroos! own challenges of developing professional 2 VOLUME 36 • JUNE ISSUE 2018