Empowering Female Athletes Unveiling the Unique Path with an Online Masterclass

Empowering Female Athletes: Unveiling the Unique Path with an Online Masterclass

Date: August 23, 2023

Amid a transformative era for women and girls in sports, it is crucial to delve into the intricacies of their athletic experiences. According to Prof Christa Janse van Rensburg, Head of the Section Sports Medicine at the University of Pretoria (UP) and the Chair of the World Netball Medical Advisory Panel, "only 6% of sports research focuses exclusively on female participants, leaving much to be discovered about how sport should be tailored to meet the specific needs of female athletes."

In the dynamic landscape of women's sports, an opportunity has emerged for healthcare professionals to explore the unique needs of female athletes participating in contact sports. Enter the Online Masterclass: Equipping the Healthcare Professional to Support Females Participating in Contact Sports – a groundbreaking course offering healthcare professionals specialised training and knowledge. “By engaging in this programme, healthcare providers can gain a profound understanding of the distinctive challenges and needs faced by female athletes in contact sports,” says Prof Janse van Rensburg.

This masterclass goes beyond generic approaches, addressing physical, psychological, and societal influences intrinsic to women and girls in sports. By arming healthcare professionals with the insights they need, this course ensures the provision of tailored care and support, fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for female athletes. Ultimately, this contributes to sustaining their participation and overall well-being in contact sports.

Flexible Learning: Transformative Outcomes

Completing this masterclass empowers participants to confidently identify, analyse, and mitigate a range of crucial topics, including differences in physical preparation, menstrual impact on performance, breast health and support, reproductive health and birth control, postpartum return to sport, and concussion and gender bias.

The masterclass also accommodates the requirements of busy professionals. Delegates unable to attend live sessions can conveniently access recorded content at their leisure, ensuring a flexible learning experience.

Distinguished Voices: Enriching the Conversation

A key highlight of this masterclass is the inclusion of distinguished experts and thought leaders in the field, each offering invaluable insights:

Elisabeth Oehler: With experience as a sports performance coach and a Doctoral student in Elite Performance at Dublin City University, Oehler brings a wealth of expertise to the table.

Kirsty Elliott-Sale: A professor specialising in female endocrinology and exercise physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University, Elliott-Sale's research in female athletes is renowned.

Margot Putukian: As the chief medical officer for Major League Soccer and team physician for the US Women's National Soccer Team, Putukian is a recognised authority in the realms of concussion and mental health.

Rachel Harris: A sport and exercise medicine physician with experience in high-performance sports, Harris contributes valuable insights to the Australian Institute of Sport Female Performance and Health Initiative.

Kathryn Ackerman: As a sports medicine physician and endocrinologist, Ackerman brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as the medical director of the Female Athlete Programme at Boston Children's Hospital.

Jane Thornton: With expertise in long-term athlete and female athlete health, Thornton's insights are enriched by her roles as Canada Research chair and clinician scientist. Thornton is a former elite rower, world champion, and Olympian.

Unveiling the Future: Empowering Women in Sports

Aligned with the spirit of Women's Month, the online masterclass stands as a tribute to the celebration of women's achievements and progress. It provides healthcare professionals with a unique opportunity to engage with world-class thought leaders to deepen their understanding of the specific needs, challenges, and experiences of female athletes. As we celebrate women's achievements, let us also embrace the journey of empowerment through this transformative masterclass.

To download the full brochure, please click here, or contact: 

Thato Magatsela

Client Service Team Leader

info@enterprises.up.ac.za 

Tel: +27 (0)12 434 2500