Medical professionals will now be upgraded to look after players at any competition held in the country.

This is in light with the World Rugby Strategic Goal: Player Welfare, which resulted in Fiji Rugby Union’s course on World Rugby Level 2 ICIR (Immediate Care in Rugby). The 2-day course is currently held at the Tanoa Skylodge in Nadi.

The course was facilitated by World Rugby medical trainers Dr Warren McDonald and Chief ARU medical manager Dr Daelyn Cullen.

Participant HeliPro flight nurse, Mereseini Banivanua told SUNsports yesterday; “I’m so happy that Fiji Rugby Union has brought in this course. I have been to FRU games both local and international since last year.

“I have done my level one and now have upskill myself in rugby as well as treatment wise in hospital,” she said.

With 20 years of experience the Tavua native acknowledged the efforts of the facilitators.

“I thank FRU and Oceania Rugby for bringing this course, and I think FRU should put more efforts into this. That is we go to grassroots level and teach them first aid in rugby which is the first basic rule.”

Oceania Rugby regional training manager Talemo Waqa said, “We at Oceania are grateful to member unions for sending their medical professionals to be trained as such as this aligns to our players welfare focus.

“We will support them always as players are the centre of all our services. Later in the week, we will have educators who will deliver FAIR to teachers, coaches and other stakeholders.”

Waqa added that these medical train pitch side care medics would now be qualified as they are trained to look after all competition.

This includes domestic and international match day doctors/ medics and also as team doctors and medics.

Altogether there were 13 participants- six nurses, three physiotherapists and four doctors. Two came from Tonga, one from Samoa and 10 were locals.

Edited By Leone Cabenatabua.

Feedback: litia.tikomailepanoni@fijisun.com.fj