Hands-on Sports Massage Internship in Australia with Travellers Worldwide

  Australia

• Perth: 
Perth

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Vvailable all year around, apart from the months of December and January

Description: Work at one of the countries top sports massage clinics. They specialise in soft tissue therapy massage and treat many of the Australian sports teams including the national swimming, cricket and hockey teams, to name but a few.

If you are a student or graduate in physiotherapy, this is an ideal placement for you. You will receive training from the Clinic and, with this training, you'll have the opportunity to handle your own clients and gain valuable experience to boost your CV or to gain credit for your university course.

Project Overview:
The sports massage clinic we work with is one of the best in Australia. The clinic is the official soft-tissue therapist for the Perth Wildcats Basketball Team and the Australian Swimming Team. The proprietor of the clinic works with the Australian Olympic team and has done so for the past three Olympic games. The clinic also provides soft-tissue massage therapy for both the Australian Cricket Team & the Wallabies when they are in Perth.

The therapists at the clinic regularly treat members of the Hockeyroos, the Australian Men's Hockey Squad, World Champion tri-athletes and elite track-and-field competitors, as well as visiting international sports teams to Perth. The clinic specializes in sports injury management and prevention.

"Thanks for helping me over the years". Tom Moody

"Thanks for all the great massages over the years". Steve Waugh

As a volunteer on this placement, you'll start by shadowing a therapist and learning what is involved within sports massage. During these initial two weeks, you'll learn all that is involved within sports massage and will cover such areas as trigger point needle use, massage techniques, how to deactivate the muscles and how to complete training programmes for clients.

After two weeks of shadowing, and depending on your ability and confidence, you will have the opportunity to take clients on your own for private sessions for around 3 -4 hours a day to start with. By the end of your placement it is hoped that you will be able to take clients by yourself. The massage sessions tend to last for either 30, 45 or 60 minutes.

As part of this placement, you'll be assigned to a supervisor who will be a senior therapist at the clinic. He or she will hold one-on-one workshops with you to train you and enable you to become a better therapist. You'll work with a variety of items of equipment to aid you, including infra-red heat and heat wraps. As well as therapy work, you'll be expected to get involved with a number of other duties at the Clinic, including reception duty, administration, completing the medical records of patients, and bookings. Having such a varied placement will enable you to see how the organization works as a whole and will give you good experience.

As well as working in the clinic you may have the opportunity to go and help out at sporting events, depending on the time of year and what events are on. You may also have the opportunity to go and watch the Australian elite athletes be treated by the Clinic's therapists.

Project Dates And Working Hours:
This project is available all year around, apart from the months of December and January.

You will be working at either one of two locations that the Clinics owns - and probably both over the duration of your placement.

Your working day will be either from 8am -2pm or 2pm - 8 pm typically Monday to Friday but you might be required to work on the weekend if there is a large sporting event on in Perth. If you do work on the weekend, you will have a day off in the week instead. The days off from your placement will enable you to see Perth and relax on one of the many beautiful beaches it has to offer.

Highlights:
Accommodation:
Your accommodation is located in the CBD (Central Business District) of Perth, Western Australia. Therefore you are very central, close to the main train station and shopping district. You'll be accommodated in a centrally located lodge that is friendly and relaxing, making it ideal for long-term stays. You may have your own room or you may share a room with other volunteers. There is an excellent kitchen and storage area for cooking meals and plenty of space to relax.

Entertainment at your accommodation currently includes a pool table, cheap internet access, arcade machines and cable TV (Foxtel), to name a few. But with all the sunshine Perth has - you'll be out and about enjoying the many outdoor activities! You are literally a stroll from the Swan River and free CBD transport. Trains and buses are also only a few minutes away to take you to Fremantle, King's Park or to the many other "things to do!" The city centre boasts great shopping, restaurants and pubs or head over to Northbridge for more pubs, nightclubs and multicultural cuisine. You'll get to work via bus, which stops outside your accommodation.

Perth was built on the banks of the magnificent Swan River over 150 years ago and is now a city rich in culture and filled with theatres, art galleries and museums. The city is modern and vibrant - a fun, friendly and 'laid back' place, with clear skies and a sunny climate. Western Australia is locally known as the 'State of Excitement!' Some of its more famous attractions include Kings Park, Scarborough Beach, Fremantle and the Swan River. Fremantle (or as the locals call it, "Freo") is the city's port and is rich in history. At weekends you will find markets, entertainment and plenty of alfresco style cafes to laze in.

Perth has restaurants to suit all tastes - the most popular cuisine is, of course, the great Australian BBQ. Barbeque facilities are abundant in local parks - take your own food and cook up a feast, Australian style! For meals in local restaurants, a trip to Perth's inner city centre is well worth the effort - it bustles with activity and offers a range of choices of restaurants.

Travellers' placements are very flexible and you can combine this project with any other Travellers project, either in the same country or in different countries.

What To Do Next:
Talk to us - We're there to help you.
Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!
If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!

If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.
It's as easy as that.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications:
To be able to come on this project you will have to meet the following criteria:
--> Completion of the 2nd year of a Physiotherapy or sports therapy degree
--> 20+ years old
--> You must have had experience in manual skills as the placement will involve remedial massage treatment
--> You must be available to come on the project for a minimum of 4 - 6 months, depending on experience
--> Ideally, you should be intending to follow the field of physiotherapy as your future career .

Cost in US$: Varies depending on length. Starts from 5,470 USD

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: This placement would suit people who want to gain first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative, drive and a desire to learn!

Age Range: From 20 years old up to 70+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Australia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement: Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded: 1995