Musculoskeletal physiotherapist Shaun Lynch is carving a career in the extreme sports industry after working with skateboarding competitors in the lead up to the 2024 Olympic Games.
The CQUniversity alumnus ran medical operations at the recent Olympic Qualifier Series in Budapest where hundreds of athletes competed in breakdancing, freestyle BMX, rock climbing and park and street skateboarding events.
“I worked closely with the International Federation of Skateboarding, WorldSkate, by providing on-field emergency care for all competing athletes at the street skateboarding venue,” Shaun said.
“As a part of this role, I trained the medical team daily on how to respond during the competition. I also personally reviewed and helped co-ordinate the care of injured athletes with their respective countries’ coaching staff.
“It was an official qualifying event for the Paris games, so working with elite athletes was a fantastic experience.”
Since graduating with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) in 2016, Shaun has found his niche in action sports where he has developed a passion for working with BMX, freestyle motocross and skateboarding athletes.
“Over the past four years I have worked with a medical company called WMIGlobal. Across numerous events I have slowly reached a level where I can work with the International Federations of these sports.
“I absolutely love working with action sports and have been lucky to work with the likes of the Freestyle Kings and the Nitro Circus,” Shaun said.
“One of my favourite experiences was running the medical operations for the Nitro World Games where we witnessed two athletes land the first-ever triple back flips on a dirt bike.”
When not traveling, the Bundaberg local also works as a director for Coral Coast Physiotherapy and Allied Health Clinic and as a casual lecturer at the local CQU campus.
“Working at the recent skateboarding event helped me to gain some experience with the future goal of running the medical operations at future Olympic games events.
“I am thankful for the support of my fellow directors and colleagues that I can go away and do these events and bring this experience back into our clinic and community,” he said.
“I love that I can share my experiences with students at CQU to help support the next generation of physiotherapists in the region.”
Shaun added that he is proud to be an advocate for regional education, actively contributing to the university by serving on the external advisory board alongside his teaching commitments.
“I actually originally started studying to become a teacher at CQU but decided to pursue physiotherapy due to the course’s full availability at the Bundaberg campus,” Shaun said.
“This allowed me to continue studying and working in my hometown.
“I like to lead by example and show others that your career potential is not limited just because you didn’t go to university in a major metropolitan area, or because you don’t live in a city.
“Anything is possible when you have the drive and the work ethic.
“Saying yes to an opportunity can open endless doors and you never know where it can take you.”
