Founded in 1961! SASMA’s 60+ Year History
History
From 1961 to today we have been supporting South Australian professional members, students, sports trainers and the broader sporting community through education and training that supports a safe sporting and active environment.
The 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 which has grown into the sports medicine industry we know today.
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, Podiatrists plus others.
The clinic was very successful and formed a very strong foundation for SASMA membership. Members referred to working/volunteering on Sunday mornings at ‘The Centre’ to be like a teaching hospital with many of the original members taking on responsibilities of Council Members and becoming President. Our organisations foundation was built from these members volunteering and then growing sports medicine into an industry.
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 organisations library ‘The Henry Kneebone Library’. This library has been now been moved to The Precinct at Alberton, Port Adelaide Football Club Museum, given Dr Kneebone’s long connection with his beloved club.
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 a portable building from the Australian Institute of Sport (cycling and cricket) to be placed in the grounds of the South Australian Sports Institute at Kidman Park. The SASMA office moved to Kidman Park and SASMA had remained there for 30 years. The portable building which held many member and sports trainer events over the years was sold in February 2022. The SASMA office moved into the main SASI / Office for Sport Recreation and Racing building at Kidman Park to continue this important connection which remains today.
In an exciting development SASMA has joined the new SASI multimillion development and has relocated to the world class facility at Mile End in September 2024. This move has continued this important relationship, and the central location will support members and community to connect through educational and networking events. We will continue to work across the State, delivering courses where there is need and interest.
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 South Australia at both the professional and community level. SASMA continues to have a strong collaborative position with our key industry partners and stakeholders and we are proud be South Australian focused and continue .
Members Education remains a strong focus of SASMA. An Education Committee was formed in 1983 and continues to today (Education Working Party). 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 or Council members have taken on this role.
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. SASMA traditionally had a separate Members and Sports Trainers Conference and in 2024 we ran our first joint conference with guest speaker Dr Michael Makdissi (CMO, AFL) which was a huge success with 134 people attending.
Education remains the focus of SASMA with a State Conference held each year, along with a Professional Members Education Program Series and the annual Sports Medicine in General Practice Course. In addition to this, SASMA members regularly present at workshops, seminars and conferences in Adelaide, interstate and internationally with many members also being part of elite sporting teams, the ‘team behind the team’.
Throughout our 60+ history SASMA has provided 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 as well as face to face component. A specific University Sports Trainers Courses is offered annually assisting future sports medicine experts and the course is also SACE approved, supporting school students achieve accreditation and supporting future career pathway choices.
The annual Sports Trainers conference has continued to grow with 100+ attendees, many trainers represented from the regions. In 2024 we moved to a joint conference model with professional members which has been well received. We also provide ongoing learning with Sports Trainer and community education program offered across the State.
Sports Trainers play an invaluable role supporting sideline safety and safe participation in sport and activity from the community to elite level sport. SASMA advocates strongly for the trainer’s role with many being remunerated within their club or sport.
Sports medical coverage grew over the years from professional members volunteering their time at the very beginning, to sports trainers assisting professional members at a range of sports and sports trainers providing sideline safety support. SASMA did provide coverage for smaller school and community events as well state and national level sporting championships. We have now moved to support major events including, the Australian Masters Games, Australian University Games, Adelaide Equestrian Festival and the international Tour Down Under. This provides opportunity
Our role is accrediting as many Levels 1 & 2 Sports Trainers, providing ongoing education and updates so they can support sideline safety and participation in the community and at sporting events.
