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Byron has built a deep career in the world of professional Rugby having worked with the ACT Brumbies (Super Rugby), Bath Rugby (UK Premiership) and currently as Lead Physiotherapist for the Wallabies. Armed with 5 degrees, including currently completing his PhD in the area of concussion, Byron is quick becoming one of the leaders in the field of injury prevention and management in the sport of Rugby. In this conversation we explore the nuances of screening, monitoring and management of concussion in addition to what he has learn that has made him successful in his roles. Byron’s journey has taken him from humble beginnings working as a public servant to a dramatic career change which has now taken him around the globe and be a privileged member of the inner sanctums of the some of the world’s most successful Rugby teams.

Highlights from the episode…

• Byron shares how he got his first role with the Brumbies after initially wanting to pursue a pathway into AFL. 
• It was a baptism of fire during the early years at the Brumbies and he shares how he went about gaining as much knowledge and experience without succumbing to overwhelm and burnout. 
• Injury rates, player fitness, team performance often has little to do with performance/medical staff than it has to with “culture”…Byron explains why. 
• After 7 successful years at the Brumbies, why Byron chose to move overseas and work in the UK Premiership with Bath Rugby. 
• We discuss how to address injuries where you may have limited knowledge and experience, and how Byron manages these unconventional cases. 
• When dealing with complex cases we discuss the desire for most practitioners to seek outside expert opinion when the answers may be better sourced within the club?
• Coaches, performance staff, medical staff, managers, club and country could all be involved when it comes to a player’s injury. How dose Byron manage all the stakeholders involved? 
• Byron’s shares a cautionary tale of what he learnt stepping away from pro sport and redirecting his focus to other areas of his life than just his role in elite sport. 
• Working with the Australian Defence force and what it’s like to work as a physiotherapist in the military. 
• How does Rugby Australia screen, monitor and manage concussion in the sport. 
• We discuss the concept of graded exposure to contact and the potential unexpected consequences of not exposing young athletes to contact. 
• The impact of neck strength in concussion and how Byron screens, programs, periodised strength at a professional Rugby level. 
• Having uniquely worked in both club and national teams, what has Byron learnt that assists with managing players when at times there can be conflicting interests between club and country.
• How does Byron deal with doubt in decision making? 

People mentioned:

• Hamis Macauley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamish-macauley-13944365/
• Katherine Rottier: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-rottier-9b36228b/?originalSubdomain=au
• Emidio Pacecca: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5unNgbm6ukafZ2VeFc7Y4r
• Craig Purdam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-purdam-6964293a/

Byron Field contact details: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byron-field-b6a171225/
• Twitter: https://x.com/fielby84?lang=bn

Host: Luis Resa

Contact me on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-resa-a975196b/
• Email: [email protected]

Thanks for listening and please leave a review. If you would like more information on anything mentioned in this episode simply send me an email.