West Coast Fever athletes are able to take to the court in Suncorp Super Netball every weekend thanks to an extensive off-court team, including a physiotherapist, leadership and wellness consultant, massage therapist, nutritionist and podiatrist.
And there are none more important than the club’s Team Doctor, Dr Gary Couanis, who has been with Fever since 2013.
Perth Sports Medicine Founder Dr Couanis is passionate about physical activity and sport and has a long history of helping elite athletes achieve their goals. We had a chat to ‘Dr Gary’ to learn more about his role with the Club.
Q1) Tell us a bit about your background?
I’m a WA boy born and bred and I’ve always been a sports fanatic. My own sporting background is in water, surf and endurance sports but I’ll get into any sport that doesn’t involve a motor or an animal. I knew from the early stages of my career that I didn’t want to spend a lifetime in hospitals, and combining my career in medicine with my passion for sport was the sensible choice. My three kids share my love of sport, including a netball fanatic daughter whose bedroom is wallpapered with West Coast Fever posters.
Q2) How did you come to be Fever’s Team Doctor?
It was former Fever Head Coach Norma Plummer who first approached me for the role. I remember Norma arranged a lunch meeting and brought along her Assistant Coach Stacey Rosman (now Marinkovich), who barely said a word during the whole meeting. Now we talk almost daily, although we are both happier when we don’t need to speak so much.
Q3) What other experience do you have with sporting teams and events?
I have previously been Team Doctor for the Perth Wildcats, Western Force and South Fremantle Football Club, while I have also served as Tour Doctor for the Australian Boomers, the Kookaburras and Australian Joeys. I was an Event Doctor for Cricket Australia, the Australian Weightlifting team and Surf Life Saving Australia, and Medical Director for the BHP Billiton Aquatic Super Series and World ITU Long Course Triathlon.
Q4) Why are you so passionate about Sports Medicine?
I love the fact that, in most cases, I get to help people achieve their goals and dreams much more than I have to deliver bad news. I get to meet some amazing people with incredible stories. People often think we only see elite athletes, but I get to be a part of some exciting adventures like the 70-year-old who is riding his bike across Europe or the heart attack survivor running a marathon. I also get a y-on-the-wall view across a range of sports at the elite level. I am a strong advocate that ‘exercise is medicine’ and I believe that keeping someone moving is usually the most important pathway to better health.
