Prav Mathema – Physiotherapy across elite rugby environments (Physiotherapist for the Welsh National Menβ€˜s Squad & The British & Irish Lions)

achilles rehab medical governance physiotherapy player welfare rugby sports medicine Apr 28, 2024

 

Episode 93: Dr Andy McDonald chats to Prav Mathema the National Medical Manager for the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and an honorary lecturer on the Cardiff Metropolitan University MSc Sports & Exercise Medicine Programme. Prav has collectively spent over a decade as the Head of Medical Services at Queens Park Rangers Football Club, and London Wasps. In addition to his duties as the National Medical Manager, he is also a Senior Physiotherapist for the WRU National Men’s Squad. Impressively Prav has also been selected as a Physiotherapist to the British and Irish Lions Rugby team, touring with them in 2009 to South Africa and again in 2013 on the tour of Australia. He is also a member of World Rugby’s Sevens World Series Injury Prevention Working Group and acts as the Chair to the WRU’s Medical Advisory Committee and leads several steering groups within the WRU.

Topics Discussed: 

  • Professional Skill set changes between Club, country and the Lions
  • The role of medical governance in rugby
  • Player Welfare
  • Creating Independent athletes
  • Influencing performance during competition events