I always knew I wanted to work in sports, but I wasn't initially sure how to achieve that goal. I pursued a degree in exercise physiology and biomechanics in Canada before attending Cardiff Medical School, hoping to work in sports somehow. Initially, I considered orthopaedics, but I quickly realised that surgery wasn't for me. My aim then was to complete medical school and work out my path afterwards.

A friend suggested using LinkedIn to connect with professionals already working in sports medicine. From this, I reached out to several people, and one of the doctors encouraged me to pursue a master's in sports and exercise medicine and take a pitch-side course. He also encouraged me to keep saying yes to every opportunity, which turned out to be invaluable advice.

This led me to work in various sports, even those I wasn't particularly interested in, like trampolining and judo. I then decided to do an F3 year focused on sports medicine and starting a job at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Stanford Hall. While this was primarily a military rehab hospital, there were many strong overlaps with sports medicine. From there, I began getting more sports-related opportunities, including opportunities with Wasps Academy and eventually as the first-team doctor for Shrewsbury Town FC.

During COVID-19, I feared my journey might be over due to my limited experience, but I continued to build my skills, including taking a refresher pitch-side course. I applied for a position with British Athletics for a European under-20s competition in Tallinn, Estonia, which I was fortunate to get. That role opened more opportunities, including working with Team GB at the Youth Winter Olympics in Italy.

When applications opened for the 2024 Olympics, I was interviewed and placed on a waitlist for the Olympics. There were nine doctors selected, and I was the tenth.

However, 18 months before the Games, I was contacted by the Chief Medical Officer, Charlotte Cowie, who advised me to stay in touch and attend team meetings. She understood that it might be difficult to be on the outside looking in but encouraged me to keep coming. I thought that even if I didn’t get to go to the Olympics, being in these circles and interacting with world-renowned sports doctors would be a fantastic learning opportunity and a way into the field.

I attended a few of these meetings, including one where they showed a video illustrating what the Olympics would be like for the athletes. Watching it, I was amazed, and I promised myself I would never miss this opportunity again. However, it was also heart-wrenching because I was so close, yet I feared I might be just as far away in four years.

Then, in November 2023, while I was in clinic, I received a text message from Charlotte asking me to call her as soon as I could. I hoped it would be something related to the Olympics, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up. When I called her, she said they wanted me for a position that had become available and asked if I would be able to go to the Olympics.

I didn’t even ask about the dates or any other details—I immediately said, "Yes, no matter what happens, I'm definitely coming!”. She laughed at how excited I was and explained that the Rugby Sevens team had qualified and needed a doctor to cover them, and they thought I would be the ideal candidate.

2. Please could you describe your responsibilities as a doctor during the Olympics? What did your role involve in the lead-up to and during the sporting events?

In the lead-up to the Olympics, I decided to attend the training camps with the Rugby 7s teams; just so they knew me, and I got to know them. This made the environment feel a lot more comfortable, and I wasn't just meeting them for the first time in an Olympic Games environment. That was a good decision because I gained people’s trust early on and became a familiar face.

At the Olympics, I had a dual role. My primary responsibility was with the Rugby Sevens team, focusing on the general health and well-being of the players and staff, as well as providing pitch-side medical support during the games. We had a prep camp in Saint-Germain-en-Laye for about six days, which was great for team bonding and making sure we were in a good place before heading into the Olympic Village.

In addition to my role with the Rugby Sevens, I also served as an HQ doctor. This role involved supporting various athletes from sports who didn’t have their own sport-specific doctors, stepping in when needed to provide general medical care. This included a lot of general practice work, ensuring the overall health and well-being of Team GB athletes across different disciplines.

3. What were some particularly memorable experiences or highlights from your time at the Olympics?

There were several memorable experiences during my time at the Olympics. One of the standout moments was arriving at the prep camp in Saint-Germain-en-Laye with the team and being greeted by the staff, which made me feel like the Games were about to start.

Attending the ceremony at the British Embassy in Paris, where the flag bearers were named, was another significant highlight. The opening ceremony was unforgettable, especially the moment when I was on the boat coming down the River Seine, seeing thousands of people lining the banks.

Arriving at the Olympic Village and getting a photo by the Olympic rings was a special moment, symbolizing all the hard work and preparation. Stepping out onto the pitch side with the 7s team in a full Stade de France, in front of 75,000, was also a really big moment too and one of the major highlights.

4. How did your time with Cardiff Medical School / Cardiff Medicals RFC prepare you for a career in sports medicine? Were there any specific experiences that had a significant impact on your career path?

Cardiff Medical School gave me a brilliant grounding in clinical knowledge and practical skills, which were crucial during my F1 and F2 years and led to all the experiences I’ve since had.

Cardiff Medics RFC was massive for me if I’m honest. It provided me with an unbelievable set of friends, both as a med student and now. Whilst I was there, I was club president for a year and also social secretary for a year. It was an unbelievable experience for me. It’s not just about who you’re playing with, but also about helping out the people in the years below. This ethos of teamwork is massive.

Having to work in any team is essential to being successful, and I believe that’s one of my major strengths and has helped me throughout my career. Especially, when you’re working on the Olympics with many thousands of athletes and members of staff.

5. What advice would you give to anyone interested in pursuing a career in sports medicine?

My advice would be to keep saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way. Even if the opportunity doesn’t seem directly related to your goal, the experience and connections you gain will be invaluable.