Doctor helps out wherever he can

AVAILABLE 24/7: Ben McHale, who is also an athlete, is currently attending to the New Zealand Under-23 football team in Papua New Guinea. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

IN THE space of a few days, Rotorua doctor Ben McHale has gone from helping patients at the Rotorua Hospital to caring for New Zealand's top footballers in Papua New Guinea.

McHale is the team doctor for the New Zealand Under-23 men's football team who are in Papua New Guinea on a two-week trip, as they try to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

If New Zealand win the Pacific Games tournament in PNG, they will book their spot at the Olympics next year.

Since arriving in the country on Monday, McHale has already set up a clinic to attend to players and staff.

"I have set up a little clinic in my room where I provide assessments and treatments," he said. "I am available 24/7 for all players and staff if they have any medical issues."

He said he was also attending trainings and helping out where he could.

"If everyone is well then I attend all training sessions and games to provide medical support as needed.

"There are also two physiotherapists with the team and a team trainer/training analyst so I help them if needed. Due to the hot climate I also help prepare ice, drinks and protein shakes."

McHale said he had never worked with New Zealand Football before, but had travelled with the Black Sticks in the past as their doctor.

"This is my first time working with Football NZ and the Under-23 All Whites," he said. "I was approached because I have an interest in sports medicine and am hoping to join the sports physician programme next year."

The Pacific Games tournament has come under fire this week from All Whites coach Anthony Hudson. He criticised the tournament's poor facilities and the short turn-around between matches. However, McHale said they had a good team to deal with any difficulties.

"The schedule is tight with five games in 10 days. There is always the chance of injury but the players have a great support team to help them recover and get through the games," he said.

"They are all experienced in playing in other multi-game tournaments. We also have multiple strategies of dealing with heat and we are taking every precaution to deal with mosquito-borne illnesses."

New Zealand played their first game yesterday and knocked over the Solomon Islands 2-0. They play PNG tomorrow, followed by New Caledonia on Tuesday and the semifinals begin on Friday. The final will be played next Sunday.

McHale is also an accomplished athlete and won the 100km Rotorua to Taupo Flyer road cycle race earlier this year. He will not have much time to rest when he returns home on July 13, as he has to get back to work the next day.

The men's football competition at the Olympics is restricted to under-23 players, with a maximum of three over-aged players allowed in each team.