Category: International

Posted on by

First ARTI Member Passes BOC Exam

An ARTI member has once again highlighted the exceptional standards of practitioners in Ireland after successfully passing the exams that entitle him to practise in America.

Paddy McEvoy became the first ARTI member to pass the exams since the establishment of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement which enables him to complete the Board of Certification (BOC) exam and become a member of the National Athletic Trainers of America (NATA).

Naturally, Paddy is thrilled with the achievement and he is certainly not going to let the hard work go to waste as he has already finalised his plan to further his studies in the USA.

Paddy McEvoy2

In August, the 23-year-old from Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny, will commence a Masters in Health and Exercise Science and graduate assistantship in Ithaca College in upstate New York which he believes will be a huge boost to his career.

“I took the exam in November and found out the results in December so I was delighted that it all worked out. It was very difficult because the exam is a lot different to the ARTI exams due to the fact that it is all theory and there is more focus on general medical issues.

“I suppose the knowledge base is broader and you also have a lot more in terms of the legal side of things”, added Paddy who graduated from Carlow IT in 2015.

Having decided over the summer while working in a clinic that he wanted to go for the exam, Paddy was virtually in full-time preparation from September to November and based himself in Carlow IT.

Having spent four months in Ithaca College in early 2015 as part of his degree, Paddy’s contacts there enabled him to get advice and direction on many topics for the exam. He admits that this support base was a vital factor in getting through the exam.

“I really enjoyed my spell at Ithaca as it is recognised as one of the foremost colleges for Athletic Training in the USA. I made a lot of contacts and while I was studying, if there was anything I wasn’t sure of there was somebody available to help me so I think that support base as essential for me”, he explained.

Passing the exams gave Paddy the opportunity not only to study at Ithaca but also gain some valuable work experience with the college teams.

“Doing a Masters is very expensive but fortunately I will also be employed by the college for about 20/25 hours per week so that means I don’t have to worry about tuition fees and I will also get hands-on experience with a team.

“I have a choice of field hockey, track and field or rowing, so hopefully I will get hockey as I would prefer work with a contact sport”, explained Paddy who is looking forward to the new venture.

“I never had any intentions of going back to America once I had done my four month placement as I would consider myself more of a home bird. However, when the opportunity came up for 12 months I decided to go for it. At the end I will have a degree and a Masters along with practical experience so that should make me a lot more employable”, he added and pointed out that he expects many others to follow his example in taking the exam.

“I think the fact that somebody has taken the exam and passed it shows that it is possible and already I have had other people on to me looking for a bit of advice”, continued Paddy who will be strengthening the links between the colleges during his stint.

“From my experience there is a good relationship between the Irish and USA colleges and the fact the Americans are so keen to have Irish students which shows the quality of the courses we have here in Carlow IT, Athlone IT and DCU.”, he concluded.

CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL ARTICLE

 

Posted on by

North American Students Keen on Athletic Therapy courses in Ireland

Over the past number of years, studies in Athletic Therapy in Ireland have resulted in the discipline being very highly regarded.

Courses in Dublin City University, Athlone IT and Carlow IT have all contributed to the growing reputation of Athletic Therapy, and as a consequence they are now among the most highly sought after.

A measure of the regard in which these courses are now being held is that they are now becoming popular with overseas students.

An example of this is that three university students from North America have recently arrived in Ireland for a one-semester placement as they sought to benefit from the expertise and approach of lecturers on this side of the Atlantic.

Harley Thwaites from Vancouver is currently studying in Athlone IT, Craig Leahy recently returned to New York after being based in Carlow IT, while Jennifer Hussey is spending a semester in DCU.

All three have reported it to be a very positive experience in which they have not only learned a lot about their chosen course, but also mixed in a new social setting and immersed themselves in a new culture.

Harley

HARLEY THWAITES is in no doubt that it was a very worthwhile decision. The 24-year-old is in third year of his Athletic Therapy degree in the University of Winnipeg who arrived in Ireland on January 3 and will be here until May.

“It is a little bit different from what we do but it is a very interesting course. There is a lot of focus on areas that we don’t cover so it is nice to pick up something different.

“We get to do a lot of practicums and the main thing is to get hours under your belt, and also to experience different sports. As a result we get to see different types of injuries”, explained Harley, who believes others will take the opportunity in the future.

“I would certainly recommend it to other students as it is very practical and you learn a lot”, he explained and added that he hoped to return to Ireland when he is qualified.

 

Meanwhile, CRAIG LEAHY from Saranac Lake, New York, has recently returned to the University of New Hampshire after spending almost four months at Carlow IT.

Craig got the opportunity to travel due to a long-standing relationship between UNH and Carlow IT and jumped at the chance to take part in the progamme. His stint lasted from September 4 to December 20, and he too found it extremely beneficial, both academically and personally.

Craig

“The cultural shock was not too overwhelming, in fact the first few weeks I recall finding so many similarities between Ireland and the US, but once I started to branch out more, travel and meet people I quickly discovered so many wonderful cultural differences.

“The education I received at Carlow IT was incredible, the students and staff were so welcoming and energised. I was able to learn new techniques and even show off a few US ones”, explained Craig who pointed out that one of the big advantages was experience of manual therapies.

“The Irish system focused so much on manual therapies and healing with the hands, something that is not very prevalent Stateside. This has given me a unique advantage with my clinical work. Athletes respond much better to hands on than machine modalities”, he added and continued to identify one drawback.

“The Irish students weren’t required to take discovery or inquiry courses, so they focused exclusively on their subjects, which to be honest I didn’t like”, he explained but overall felt it was a very positive experience that more people should explore.

“Travel and study while you are young and still impressionable, it will truly change your perspectives and alter everything you once thought you knew and replace it with a new understanding of the incredible world around you”, added Craig.

Another student to make the trip across the Atlantic is JENNIFER HUSSEY who originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, and currently studying at Purdue University.

Jennifer arrived at Dublin City University on January 27 and will spend four months in Ireland, having jumped at the chance to experience something new.

Jennifer

“I decided to study in Ireland because my athletic training programme director, Larry Leverenz, worked with the DCU athletic training faculty to set up this study abroad programme.

“When I heard about it, I thought it sounded like a great opportunity to not only explore a new area I have never been and learn the different techniques used by athletic trainers and physiotherapists here. I also had a few friends back at home that had visited Ireland and told me how wonderful and friendly all the people were here”, she explained and pointed out that it has been a very worthwhile decision to come to Ireland.

“I very much find the subjects useful. It is nice to also see a different perspective on various techniques. I have also gotten the chance to learn a substantial more about massage, trigger points, and myofascial release”, added Jennifer who revealed that she has noticed some differences between college life at home and in Ireland.

“I would say college life is different at home compared to here. Students rarely go home when at college back in the States, but I have noticed that it is very common to go home on the weekends here. In addition, collegiate athletics are a major part of the college life back at home”, explained Jennifer who added that it is something she would recommend to others.

“I definitely would recommend other students to visit Ireland. I have had an amazing experience so far, from the people to the city and all of the other gorgeous landscape the country has to offer. I am in love with the cliffs and the gorgeous greenery here in Ireland”, she added.

CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Posted on by

Irish Athletic Trainer Makes the Most of Internship with A’s

The first time Tara O’Haire saw a baseball game was, well, at the start of this month when the A’s opened the Cactus League season.

An intern with the A’s athletic trainers this spring, O’Haire, 21, is from Ireland. She didn’t have the slightest clue about the sport initially, but she has picked up knowledge quickly after a number of lengthy exhibition games.

“I like it. I’m impressed!” she said. “On the plane on the way over, I was looking at ‘Baseball for Dummies,’ trying to understand the rules. I think I was annoying everyone the first game with all my questions; but after one four-hour game, you sort of get the gist of it.”

Back home, O’Haire’s sport is Gaelic football. “Hard to explain — a little bit like soccer, a little bit like rugby, a little bit like volleyball,” said O’Haire, who still plays half forward, an offensive position, when she can. “It’s a crazy sport. I’ve gotten them all excited about it. A few of the players want to start playing it.

“They were all shocked by hurling, as well. ‘Why don’t they have gloves on?’ Well, it’s Irish, you catch it with your hand!”

O’Haire and three other women from the same college program in Carlow, Ireland, are doing internships toward their degrees back home.

“I thought I should throw myself into the deep end with a sport I don’t know,” she said. “And at home, it’s all lower-limb injuries, ankles and hamstrings and knees, so I’m seeing things we don’t usually see: shoulders, elbows. So I’m definitely learning a lot.”

Said A’s trainer Nick Paparesta: “I’m pretty impressed with how brave Tara is. She’s going across the globe to learn a sport she’s never even seen. She’s done a great job; she’s fit in phenomenally well. The guys give her as much grief as they give the rest of us.”

The A’s have not had a female trainer before, but the organization and the players have been welcoming, according to O’Haire. Assistant trainer Brian Schulman makes sure she doesn’t go outside without sunblock and reminds her to look out for foul balls.

“I feel like I have a second family here. They all look after me,” she said. “It’s surprising how easygoing all the players are. They’re all so laid back.”

O’Haire gets a kick out of the bad Irish accents she hears as the A’s try to imitate her, and she is trying to educate them about Ireland, where, no, corned beef is not a major part of the cuisine.

Here’s a compliment for the A’s: O’Haire has enjoyed her time with them so much this spring, she has decided she’d like to work with a sports team full-time when she gets back home.

“I think she would do great with a team, with her ability to fit in,” Paparesta said. “It’s been really nice to have her here.”

CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Posted on by

Kelowna Rockets Athletic Therapist Recognized by B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame

Saturday night’s Kelowna Rockets game was extra special for one member of the staff.

Kelowna Rockets athletic therapist, Scott Hoyer was honoured by the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame (BCHHF) Saturday evening for his dedication and service to hockey in British Columbia.

Hoyer was awarded the Larry Ashley Award, presented to a trainer, equipment manager or medical person associated with the game of hockey, that was either born in B.C. or given at least 10 years’ service to the province.

Hoyer has spent nine years with the Rockets, working with the WHL team from 2000-2006 and then returning to the Okanagan in 2013. The long time athletic trainer also spent two years with the Edmonton Oilers as their strength and conditioning coordinator, as well as an assistant athletic therapist.

The trainer has also served hockey internationally, as Hoyer was named the head athletic therapist for Team Canada. Hoyer has won two gold medals for his work with Team Canada, once in 2001 for the World Under-18 Championships and again in 2003 for the World Junior Hockey Championships.

“The British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame (BCHHF) is very pleased to be able to present Scott Hoyer with the Larry Ashley Award,” said BCHHF founder, Scott Carter.

“Scott has shown over the years the same dedication to excellence for his players, teams, leagues, and Country that Larry stood for. Trainers, Equipment Managers, and Team Medical Staff do not get nearly the credit they deserve for the role they play in keeping our son’s and daughter’s safe every day and this Award is to help recognize that.”

Hoyer’s experience in the Okanagan includes five years with the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, split between the Pursuit of Excellence in Kelowna and the Okanagan Hockey Academy in Penticton.

The Larry Ashley Award is in memory of Larry Ashley, who spent 14 of his 16 year career as head trainer for the Vancouver Canucks.

Ashley passed away in September of 1995 after losing his battle with cancer.

CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL ARTICLE