2019 Summer Universiade · Naples, Italy

Napoli 2019: My World University Games Experience

My first Games as part of the Core Canadian Medical Team, and a trip I still carry with me today.

Core Canadian Medical Team

The 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples was an incredible experience, and my first time serving on a Games medical team.

I loved Italy, and I loved being part of the medical team I got to work alongside there: Connie, Andrea, Jason, Tina, Karen, Olesia, Rose, Joe, Jacques (Coco), Darrel and Laurence. Rooming with a former classmate, making new friends, and spending real time with a group of great professionals while treating athletes... it's an experience I still carry with me.

It started with a call out of the blue from Chief Therapist Andrea Prieur on January 25th, 2019. She had left messages on both my home line and my cell, and I had no idea what it was about. When I finally reached her, she asked what I was doing that summer. At first I wasn't sure where the question was going... until she asked if I'd be interested in going to Italy as part of the core Canadian medical team. I nearly dropped my phone. The gratitude hit me all at once, and I was close to tears. The tears still come a little every time I think back on that call. Of course, I said yes.

Core Canadian Medical Team
Core Canadian Medical Team

Caserta

A picture is worth a thousand words, so here's most of my Caserta experience told through a few of them.

My home for two weeks in Caserta, Italy
My home for two weeks in Caserta, Italy
Outside the main entrance
Outside the main entrance
Grand Vanvitelli Pool
Grand Vanvitelli Pool

In Caserta, my "boss" Jason went above and beyond, checking in on me and making sure I was settling in well. Tina was the first person who made things easy for me from the moment I arrived, and I can't say enough good things about her. It was also great catching up with my roommate Joe R., a former Brock and Sheridan classmate. I was fortunate to be surrounded by a strong group of therapists, including an outstanding sports medicine physician, Dr. Rose.

Clockwise from top: Dr. Rose, Athletic Therapist/Osteo Joe, myself, Athletic Therapist Tina, and Athletic Therapist/Manual Therapist boss Jason
Clockwise from top: Dr. Rose, Athletic Therapist/Osteo Joe, myself, Athletic Therapist Tina, and Athletic Therapist/Manual Therapist "boss" Jason

Opening Ceremony

I was so happy to spend real time with fellow sport massage therapist Karen during opening ceremonies. She generously shared insight into her own practice and what keeps her coming back to the Games. Moments like that, spent with a fellow colleague, are the ones I'll always remember.

Karen and I at Opening Ceremonies
Karen and I at Opening Ceremonies

Then I tried to look cool at opening ceremonies... first on my own, then with Jason.

Opening Ceremonies, solo
Opening Ceremonies, with Jason

Over the Games I was fortunate to work with the men's and women's basketball teams, the fencing team, and the women's water polo team.

Photobombed by the women's water polo team
Photobombed by the women's water polo team
Dr. Rose and I leading a dynamic warm up before a water polo game
Dr. Rose and I leading a dynamic warm up before a water polo game
Rene, Dr. Rose, and myself
Rene (women's water polo Athletic Therapist), Dr. Rose, and myself

Day Trip to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

Photobombed by Jason in Sorrento
Photobombed by Jason in Sorrento
Gelato in Sorrento
Gelato in Sorrento
Limoncello in Sorrento
Limoncello in Sorrento

A few more from the Amalfi Coast:

A quiet moment on the Amalfi Coast
Osteopathy? Craniosacral therapy? Muscle energy technique? No, just a quiet moment on the Amalfi Coast
A church on the Amalfi Coast
A church on the Amalfi Coast
Inside a church on the Amalfi Coast
Inside a church on the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast views
Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast coastline

Napoli

My last full day in Naples.

Naples, final day

Final Thoughts

  1. Thank you to Gary and Cindy Miller for over 15 years with Bryst International and every European soccer trip along the way, where I was responsible for the health of our players. I felt at home in Italy because of that experience.
  2. Don't "pocket dial" or "pocket video call" your Chief Therapist repeatedly while she's in a meeting. It really was an accident. Get to know your phone.
  3. Learn how to use WhatsApp before you go.
  4. Bring a power bank for your phone.
  5. Write to your local MP for Canadian pins. Every country loves trading with Canada.
  6. I am truly proud to be Canadian. 🇨🇦
  7. I am grateful to live in Canada. 🇨🇦
  8. Learn new skills from the other therapists around you whenever you can.
  9. Your skill set complements theirs, and theirs complements yours.
  10. Enjoy every moment.
  11. You're there to serve the athletes, and you also need to pace yourself so you don't burn out.
  12. Learn where you're going before the Games start, in case you get the chance to explore. I was fortunate enough to visit Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
  13. Stay flexible and make the best of your situation.
  14. Like in life, things don't always go the way they're supposed to. Put on a smile and keep moving forward.
  15. Communication with the therapists who travel with each team is essential when you're treating "their" athletes. One player came to me with something new that their own therapist wasn't aware of, so I adjusted my treatment and passed the information along. They were able to build on it before competition. Treating as a team, and sharing information as a team, is everything.

Last Words

As I've said many times since, I am grateful and humbled for the chance to serve our Canadian athletes.

The support from the entire Canadian medical team and mission staff was overwhelming.

I hope I came home a better person and a better therapist for the experience. And to the "Caserta 5": thank you. Love you guys.

Patriotic Canadian
Patriotic Canadian