Hundreds of health professionals from across the globe have descended on the Sunshine Coast with many goals on their minds.
Medical experts from as far away as Brazil, Canada, Ireland and Mexico will compete in the 2024 World Medical Football Championships, held in conjunction with the 28th International Symposium of Medicine and Health in Sport.
Event organiser Dr Jack Gilpin said more than 1000 athletes in 40 teams across both men’s and women’s divisions from 18 nations will lace up their boots at the Maroochydore Football Club, Kulin, with the International Symposium to be held at the Sunshine Coast Convention Centre, until Saturday (July 27).
Dr Gilpin said the yearly international event sees medical doctors from different countries invited to play against one another in a competitive football tournament and exchange scientific knowledge and insight at the Symposium.
He said as part of the Symposium, speakers from all over the world would address ocular trauma, sport hernia, post-concussion syndrome, the critical role of sleep in athletic performance and ACL prevention in women.
Dr Gilpin said the Australian football teams, the Docceroos and Medtiladas, had the home advantage, and prior training camps on the Sunshine Coast through May and June this year had the teams in strong positions to win the championships.
He said when Australia volunteered to host this event, they immediately thought of the Sunshine Coast as the perfect location to showcase Australia to the world.
“The combination of sporting and healthcare facilities were ideal for the event along with a backdrop of the amazing scenery of the Coast,” Dr Gilpin said.
Sunshine Coast Council Economic Development Portfolio Councillor Terry Landsberg said the long running event was a great win for the Sunshine Coast, drawing international medical professionals to the region through football.
“Our region is recognised as a leading outdoor events destination and we are proud to host this long-running football tournament,” Cr Landsberg said.
“We also felt this was a good fit for the region, as we continue focus on developing our Health Precinct.”
He said healthcare was now the largest industry on the Sunshine Coast so it was wonderful to have the leading minds from across the world come together here to celebrate medicinal advancement.
“If any medical professionals attending the event are looking for a fantastic lifestyle and a region with huge potential, there are billions of reasons why the Sunshine Coast is a wise choice for health industry businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs to set-up shop.”
