XXXX Chair’s Challenge Staff, Players to Receive Breast Health Insights

Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons head sports coach Robyn Tyler will provide groundbreaking breast health information to players and staff involved in the XXXX Chair’s Challenge A-class carnival.

Tyler, who has spent the past ten years in her role with the Maroons, is in the middle of a PhD into breast injury, pain, protection and support in female rugby league players and staff.

Until January 2022, when her research began, there had been no research into the breast health of women in rugby league.

Tyler hoped it would lead to greater understanding among everyone involved in women’s rugby, so that players could enjoy the sport to the fullest.

She said she was excited to deliver the lessons to players and staff from Brisbane, Gold Coast and Ipswich as part of the inaugural XXXX Chair’s Challenge women’s competition from July 5 to 7.

Players are also being interviewed as part of the investigation. Tyler stressed that there was no cause for stress or concern among the female participants.

“What we are doing for the XXXX Chair’s Challenge is providing an educational session for the players about chest injuries, the importance of reporting them and the importance of chest support in terms of pain reduction and performance,” Tyler said.

“It may sound simple, but we know that the majority of our athletes are not wearing a correctly fitting or properly supported sports bra and this definitely impacts performance and confidence.”

Tyler said the research he conducted with former Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons doctor Dr Bonnie McRae revealed there were significant “knowledge gaps” among players and staff in the wider rugby league community about breast health.

“Our staff is our players’ most trusted ally, so we need to educate them. We’ve created two short modules that we’re delivering online during the XXXX Chair’s Challenge week. These are about how to manage a breast injury. These modules are also for our athletic trainers and coaches so that they’re the first point of contact for how to manage their players. The second part is to equip the staff to deliver their own breast education sessions for their players,” she said.

“Our players tell us that 98-99 percent of them don’t report these injuries. So there’s a big educational component for the players to tell someone about their injury, no matter how minor it may seem. Because there are things we can do about it and ways we can treat it without having to take drastic measures.

“We don’t have to look or touch, there is only verbal guidance we can give our players.”

Tyler, who has been the head coach of the Gold Coast Titans NRLW for their four-year history, said many players simply put breast health at the back of their minds when competing in rugby league.

“What we hear from our ladies is that they just want to play rugby league and do it just like the men, but they don’t realize there is a difference in our breast tissue, and there are some things we need to look out for ,” she said.

“As we’ve talked to players about this over the last few years and started the conversation, I think this is one of the most important things to do.

“You will find that the girls will open up about this topic quite quickly and it will no longer be taboo. It is being talked about a lot and it is a pretty positive sign that education is going to make big steps in making our game better. It is comfortable for our girls to play.”

In addition to the training, Tyler was also looking forward to the great opportunity to be part of the support staff of the Ipswich Diggers women’s team.

“It was something I was happy to put my hand up for. I volunteered to take part because I really enjoy rugby league in Ipswich and love the opportunity to give something back to my local community,” she said.

Anyone interested in future online ‘Breast Injury Management for Sports Trainers’ educational sessions – delivered in partnership with the University of Wollongong and Breast Research Australia – should register their interest here.

Watch every match of the XXXX Chair’s Challenge by subscribing to Qplus.tv. A Round Pass, which provides seven days of access, costs $4.99.