Physioworks Health Group Physiotherapist Madison Klooster was a team physiotherapist for the Allies squad at the recently completed Marsh 2024 AFL National Championships – Under 18 Boys.
The Allies squad, made up of 30 elite U18 players from NSW, ACT, NT, Queensland & Tasmania, was supported by a medical team of 3 practitioners. Madison, having assisted the Allies as team physio last season, was nominated as the medical team leader in 2024.
The Allies played 4 games across 4 different states across a 6-week period. In the lead-up to the Championships, the Allies squad came together for a training camp in Sydney.
At the camp, Madison had responsibility to fully assess each player, implement supplemental sessions for any player injured, treat any acute injuries, and report back to each player’s home club how they had performed and any injuries/niggles they had reported or incurred.
Once the championships began, Madison was responsible for game day preparation, including exercise for interstate travel, complete with a “light Captain’s run” to best prepare for the game the following day.
On match-day there was plenty of strapping to complete pre-game, before intently watching for signs of injury prevention & management during the game. Fortunately, the squad only experienced a few minor injuries across the championship.
Madison commented on her experience as the team physiotherapist of these elite athletes and how she applies some of her experiences in-clinic with her Physioworks clients:
“A key experience in leading the team was making important decisions in a highly stressful environment. So I go back to basics; trust my knowledge, experience & instincts, to make the best decision for the player in that moment and going forward. I was able to bring a level of calm when injuries occurred and methodically address the situation.
Any injury that keeps you away from any event, be that playing an elite National Championship game in front of 20 recruiters, to missing work or simply running around with your kids in the backyard, is stressful. So, I aim to work “as a team” with my in-clinic clients, delivering the best possible care, to get my clients back doing the things they love as soon as possible.”
Madison Klooster is also the team physiotherapist for the Berwick Football Club (EFNL) across the 2024 season.
For an appointment with Physiotherapist Madison Klooster please call Physioworks Health Group Cranbourne on 5995 1111 or Pakenham on 5941 5499.