FROM THE CHAIRMAN FROM THE WORKING CHAIRMAN TOGETHER AS ONE SMA SMA BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR ANDREW JOWETT EXPLAINS THE NEW CHANGES AT SMA AND HOW THE BOARD AND STATE COUNCILS ARE WORKING TOGETHER CLOSELY TO ENSURE SMA REMAINS A WORLD LEADER IN SPORTS MEDICINE. Our recent Sports MedicineAustralia (SMA) Conferencein Perth was considered by theSMA’s National Board as vitallyto continue to deliver on our vision toremain a leader in the industry. We haveestablished high level communicationin the sporting industry to place SMA at important in connecting with our the centre of sports medicine leadership membership across this wide nation, in Australia, as evidenced by the recent especially since uniting as a national‘Concussion in Sport Australia Position Andrew Jowett organisation. The event was widely Statement’ created in collaboration with andrew.jowett@sma.org.au recognized as an outstanding event bythe AIS, Sport Australia, AMA and ACSEP. those who attended, and thanks must Further collaborations will follow go to Dr Mick Drew and his committeeamongst this group. for achieving this. The message is we are a national organisation for the The SMA State Councils remain an benefit of all our members and the important liaison with our members whole Australian community. and are well-placed in delivering value The past three years have been aboutto members. Communication structures establishing the change to “One SMA”have been recently enhanced between Communication and refining the organisation to reap thethe National Board and State Councils structures have been benefits. This has required upgradingto help us work together to achieve our Safer Sport Program and ensuringour strategic aims. recently enhanced uniformity and compliance across ourWell-timed with the start of the between the organisation. One of the other key Australian summer, this issue focuses components to this has been upgrading National Board and our IT system to connect all our staffon water sports; an iconic part of our on the one platform and make for moresporting landscape and national identity. State Councils to efficient communication and foster 2018 has also seen the release of Sport help us work a co-operative working environment. Australia’s National Sports Plan to build a more active Australia. Our island nation, together to achieve Change, however, has come with home to some of the world’s best challenges and eventual changes beaches, provides Australians with the our strategic aims. in leadership. We will appoint a newunique opportunity to enjoy healthy and CEO in the next few months to furthersafe aquatic activities. The National progress our organisation. The BoardSports Plan is also about achieving has redefined the mission and structuresporting excellence and SMA members of important committees like our play an important role in maintaining Scientific and Conference Committeesour traditional dominance in the water. 2 VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 3 2018