Physiotherapist Brooke Bakaric was recently up in Bendigo supporting Australia’s Badminton athletes. She was there covering the VICTOR Oceania Para Badminton Championships and the YONEX Australian Para Badminton International.
Later this month she will be heading to Sydney to work at the 2025 SATHIO GROUP Australian Badminton Open.
We asked her to tell us a little about her experiences and involvement with Badminton . . .
When and how did you become involved with Badminton Australia?
In early 2024, I was approached to cover the Oceania championships as Tournament Physiotherapist and First Aid coordinator, due to my interest in treating neck and shoulder injuries. I thoroughly enjoyed the role, and have since continued working with Badminton Australia, providing physiotherapy support for both Badminton and Para Badminton National events.
What did your role on this recent trip entail / what was the day-to-day like for you?
The recent trip involved being the Tournament Physiotherapist for two consecutive tournaments: the Oceania Championships and the Para Badminton International Championships. Each day, I arrived early to provide athletes with pre-game assessment, treatment, and strapping. During competition, I was positioned courtside to manage on-court injuries and deliver First Aid as required. At the end of each day, I assisted with recovery to ensure athletes were prepared to perform again the following day.
What did you find most enjoyable about the trip?
The most rewarding aspect of the trip is working with the Para Athletes. Being able to support athletes to perform at their best in events that are very meaningful for them is very fulfilling. As a physiotherapist, I am consistently impressed by the athletes’ adaptability and athletic capability. Socially, the para badminton community celebrates diversity, inclusivity and fosters a supportive environment, where athletes encourage one another throughout the tournament to perform their best.
What do you find the most challenging?
Clinically, the environment requires creativity in treatment techniques and adaptability to both the athlete, and the environment. No two athletes are the same, and no two injuries present the same way, so you need to think quickly to tailor treatment to the individual to maximise their potential and keep them playing at their best.
How does this differ from other sports you are involved in / athletes you have worked with?
Working with para-athletes at these tournaments is similar to working with any athlete in any high performance sport. As a physiotherapist, my role at the tournament is to help athletes to maintain and maximise their athletic performance. Specific to Badminton, back-to-back tournaments exposes athletes to significant repetitive load on the shoulder. Managing shoulder pain, monitoring load, and ensuring good recovery strategies were key priorities on this trip.
How do you feel this experience will help you in treating your patients at Alphington Sports Medicine?
Sporting experience with para-athletes are a great reminder that flexibility and individualisation in physiotherapeutic care is important to getting the best outcomes for patients. I will continue to prioritise personalised treatment plans and collaborative goalsetting in my practice to achieve best outcomes for my patients.
For more information about Brooke Bakaric go to: https://alphingtonsportsmed.com.au/profile/brooke-bakaric/
