The World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy (WFATT) World Congress recently took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada from 5th to 7th May 2022. The congress was hosted in collaboration with the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) and the Manitoba Athletic Therapists Association.
Here is a rundown of what took place across the congress weekend:
WFATT Leadership Summit
WFATT President, Professor Brian Zeller, hosted a Leadership Summit for all international voting member organisations and associate member organisations. ARTI was represented at the summit by Dr Sinéad O’Keeffe and Lynn Allen.
The aim of the summit was to facilitate greater communication and collaboration between our WFATT member organisations. The summit also aimed to foster an environment for working together to enhance the Athletic Training and Therapy profession globally. The summit was a huge success and all international participants are now working towards achieving the goals of ARTI, WFATT and our international partner organisations.
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Open and Welcome
WFATT World Congress kicked off on Friday morning with welcome remarks from Brian Zeller (President of World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy), Tyler Quennell (President of Canadian Athletic Therapists Association) and Nancy Ewachewski (President of Manitoba Athletic Therapists Association).
Research Presentations
ARTI was represented by three members in the research poster presentations, Lynn Allen, Frank Devereux and Dr Sinéad O’Keeffe. Find out more about their research here.
International Arrangement Q&A
The International Arrangement is currently in place between ARTI, the Board of Certification (USA) and the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) (BASRaT currently has provisional acceptance). The International Arrangement provides an opportunity for Athletic Trainers, Athletic Therapists and Sports Rehabilitators to be mobile on a global scale by creating a pathway to challenge each other’s credentialing exam.
Q&A sessions were scheduled at breakfast and lunch sessions across the weekend to allow international members to query the process and have their questions answered. If you have any questions about the International Arrangement, you can contact the Public Relations Officer here.
Gallery of Photos
Brian Zeller (President WFATT), Lynn Allen (ARTI), Sinéad O'Keeffe (ARTI) and Jennifer Martins (CATA and Vice-President WFATT)
Sinéad O'Keeffe (ARTI), Tyler Quennell (CATA President) and Lynn Allen (ARTI)
Ollie Coburn (BASRaT), Sinéad O'Keeffe (ARTI), Sue Falsone, Lynn Allen (ARTI), Rick Griffin (PBATS)
International Delegates at the Congress dinner and CATA Awards Gala. Brian Zeller (WFATT President), Sinéad O'Keeffe (ARTI), Lynn Allen (ARTI), Meghan McKay (NATA), Rick Griffin (PBATS), Sue Falsone, Kathy Dieringer (President NATA) and Matt Kutz (NATA and WFATT Vice-President).
ARTI members, Frank Devereux, Lynn Allen and Dr Sinéad O'Keeffe, who presented their research at the WFATT World Congress
According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine blog "Rehabilitation of athletes (recreational & professional) must be recognised as an advanced skill requiring specialist training." Athletic Therapy fulfills this, without requiring further postgrad studies.