Author: Sporty

Sports Addict. Partner of SportStrap, the helpful Sports Medical supplier. Follow me at Cade Arnel

Athletics Squad off to a Flying Start with Sportstrap

Jacqui Watt - Stawell GiftWith the 2011 Stawell Gift only weeks away, Sportstrap is proud to announce our sponsorship support for Mick Benoit’s Ballarat Athletics Squad.

So far this year, Mick Benoits squad has been competing in many events in the Australian Gift Sprinting Circuit, with great success. They now are focusing their attention to preparing to compete in the highly prized 2011 Stawell Gift, which is known as the Richest Footrace in Australia, and is the jewel crown in the Victorian Athletic League.

Sportstrap Sponsorship Top

The squad trains at various locations around Ballarat, including Llanberris Reserve (which is synthetic track), City Oval and the Botanical Gardens. Micks squad includes 2010 Women’s Stawell Gift winner Jacqui Watt, Kim Ludbrook, Myles Medwell, Ryan Benoit, Dave Fenollar and Nick Emmerton.

Jacqui Watt, who competes in the 120 metre events, said:

“I have used Sportstrap Sports Tape for the past 12 months to help support my feet, and it has worked a treat”.

“Racing competitively, it has helped me to get through some very big days of racing”, said the 2010 Stawell Gift Winner.

So far this year, the Squad members have made various gift  finals, including Rye and Temora, NSW, where Jacqui Watt finished 4th and 6th in respective Finals.

So Sportstrap would like to wish all the athletes in Micks Benoit’s Athletics Squad the best of luck at Stawell and the remaining athetics season.

Go get ’em Guys and Girls!!!

Mick Benoit Athletics Squad

Front left: Mick Benoit (coach), Ryan Benoit, Jacqui Watt, Jason Forster(masseur)

Back left: Dave Fenollar and Nick Emmerton

Strapping Tape – Why and How Athletes Use It

Strapping Tape is quite essential when athletes partake in sporting activities. The constant exercise and training is a great way to condition the body, however it is very important to take precautionary measures to avoiding injuries. By using good sports strapping methods, weak joints and muscles get the added support to keep them sound.Strapping Tape

How to Best Apply Strapping Tape:

Locate Troubled Area on the Joints

Locate the troubled areas on the joints. The best way to proficiently tape weak ankles and wrists is with precision.  When engaging in sporting activities, one needs to have a full understanding of the injury, in order to tape accordingly.

Aim To Avoid Injury

The aim is to avoid the injury, and not to treat it after it happens. This is why applying Sports Tape is so important prior to  playing a sport such as football. One could easily injury an already weakened ankle or wrist without the right strapping tape.

Tape in one Direction

Always remember to tape in one single direction. The Strapping Tape should be applied far enough above the joint to secure it, but not too far. Adding pre-wrap prior to applying the adhesive tape is a great way to protect the skin but not always necessary.Strapping Ankles

Not too Tight

Remember to never apply tape too tight as to constrict blood flow, allow for some controlled movement of the joints being treated. Many top trainers are very knowledgeable about inner workings of muscle and joint weakness. They can best develop great techniques for taping to avoid injury.

Even Strapping Tape Overlap

It is important to apply the Strapping Tape evenly by wrapping the tape about the same thickness above and over like a figure “8”.  This is called the “basket weave” technique.

In conclusion, if for some reason you are not sure how many layers to apply, or are confused about which direction to roll, it’s always best to get advice from the pro’s such as Physios, Trainers or your Doctor.