The BC Soccer Web

On April 3, 2008 the following editorial comment was posted:
"The roster for Canada's participation in the CONCACAF qualifiers in Mexico includes twenty players and twelve, yes twelve coaching and support staff. Do they really need twelve support and technical staff members travelling with the team, including a team doctor and four therapists? Meanwhile the CSA can't afford to properly fund our U-17 women as they prepare for the U-17 World Cup in New Zealand."

Richard,

As you know I am involved with the Women's National team as their physiotherapy consultant. Someone wrote an editorial today asking if the team needs all that support staff. I can't answer for the overall number of support staff but as for the medical, they definitely need a doctor (what with all the problems that arise when they are travelling to a foreign country like Mexico), they have a massage therapist (although two are down I am sure they are sharing the trip since it is difficult for one person to take that much time off work), they have an athletic trainer and a physiotherapist. Many pro teams now have a nutritionist on a team's payroll. Anyways, as for the medical side of things, I know it is justified in this circumstance. Remember, all these professionals are LOSING money going on these trips.

Marc R. Rizzardo
Dip Sports Physiotherapy
BScPT, MPE, BPE
Chief Therapist 2007 Rio Pan American Games
Clinical Instructor,
Department of Physical Therapy
Faculty of Medicine
University of British Columbia

Hi Marc,

The someone who wrote the editorial today was me. It was written in the context of the current rather desperate fiscal status of the CSA. To have a team of support staff, five of whom are medical, that comprises more than 50% of the number of players when the CSA can't even fund any of it's programs adequately is grossly inappropriate. As for adding a nutritionist, the team and its management are all mature, experienced adults who surely by now have learned enough to take care of nutrition issues on one trip away from home.

The editorial deliberately contrasts this situation with that in which the Canadian Women's U-17 team find themselves, where they and their parents are having to fundraise themselves just to to get the team to the U-17 World Cup because the CSA funding is insufficient, never mind adding a support group such as that enjoyed by the senior women's team in Mexico.

As for the professionals losing money on otherwise all expenses paid junkets such as this, all credit to them but that is their choice. I am sure most take vacation time for the purpose (and enjoy the experience) so are not really losing money.

Thanks for the input.

Richard Howes
Editor www.bcsoccerweb.com