Rayner & Smale for 2015
As the year draws to a close, it is a great time to reflect on the adventures and achievements for 2015. Alicia and I are so humbled by the support and encouragement that Rayner & Smale has received this year. Thank you.
The blog began as a way to share our thoughts and reflections from our journey through our masters degree and it still serves as a platform for sharing those ideas. As time has gone by more people have contacted us with requests and the list of blog topics has grown tremendously.
While Alicia and I met on a similar journey, our paths over the past 2 years have taken vastly different courses. My move to San Francisco has redirected my focus into learning, blogging and teaching clinical Pilates. Alicia continues to follow her dreams for Sports Physiotherapy and this year began her Sports Masters through La Trobe University.
During my year in San Francisco I have had a fantastic opportunity to refine my teaching skills in Clinical Pilates working 1:1 with my clients. I studied two great courses online through Coursera and learnt so many interesting things about sleep, neuroscience and academic writing. The blog has continued to be a major focus and priority of mine and I'm so grateful for what it has taught me. In 2016 I will be embarking on full time study in the hope of gaining a license in California and I'm thrilled by the upcoming opportunity to be the Physiotherapist for the Australian Snowboard Cross and Para Alpine teams as they travel to Colorado and California for the Winter World Championships. I've travelled a lot and enjoyed many days skiing, hiking, and exploring the world. I couldn't be more grateful for the experiences and adventures that this year has brought.
As Sian said, our years have been exceptionally busy and extremely rewarding. My year has been jam-packed with working with sports teams, tutoring, finishing assignments and working, and I wouldn't trade any of it! My first trip this year was to Sandakan, Borneo as physio for the Melbourne University Rugby 7's team. The weather was 40 degrees and about 95% humidity, so the biggest issue was hydration and avoiding muscle cramping/strains. Two weeks after returning, I attended the Under 15's Girls Hockey Tournament on the Gold Coast. I was looking after 2 teams, working from 6:00am until 10:00pm every day...Borneo was definitely more enjoyable than that!!
Cobra 10's Rugby Tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Melbourne Stars Women's Big Bash, Junction Oval, Melbourne
Once back in Melbourne, I tutored on the Spinal Level I & II courses, helping improve the manual handling and clinical reasoning of graduate physiotherapists. On weekends, I worked for Melbourne Uni Rugby Union Club providing game-day physiotherapy and first aid for broken cheekbones, ACL injuries and dislocated fingers! I was also completing assignments for my Sports Masters through LaTrobe University. Some of these, I will put up over the next few weeks, now that they've been marked and I passed! Another rugby trip to Malaysia saw us in 40 degree heat, followed by torrential rain during the Cobra 10's Rugby Tournament. In September, I was appointed Head Physiotherapist for Victoria Women's cricket which involved a trip to Brisbane for three matches, then another weekend in Canberra. Following the state season, the inaugural season of Women's Big Bash League began, with myself as physiotherapist for the Melbourne Stars Women's team. This involved games every weekend, with back to back games in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and then Sydney again. Our next game is 2nd January at MCG, so no rest for the wicked! Next year will be even more excitement, with my final year of Sports Masters, continuing with Cricket Victoria, supervising Masters students, tutoring on Spinal Level I & II courses, and occasionally going to work.
On that note, let's look back on our blogging from this year...
Here are the top 10 blogs read in 2015.
It constantly surprises us which blogs our readers find most interesting and provides inspiration and motivation for future blogs. At this stage the menu for 2016 might include blogs covering: SIJ movement analysis, pelvic girdle pain, acute knee injuries, snow-sport injury management, myofascial treatments, dry needling and acupuncture, and much more. If you'd like to stay up to date with our latest releases be sure to subscribe to the blog.
Thank you again for your support and if you wish to request a topic for 2016 please be sure to contact us through the blog.
Wishing everyone a happy New Year and may 2016 bring adventure, discovery, learning, fun and happiness.
Sian & Alicia