Sporting greats, officials salute NSWIS Champion, Dr Grace

Olympic icon Ian Thorpe AM has led the tributes from a cavalcade of sporting greats and esteemed sports officials in paying tribute to outgoing New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) doctor, Grace Bryant OAM.

Dr Bryant, who helped pioneer the sports medicine field in Australia 40-years ago, and who has been a much-loved member of NSWIS since the Institute’s doors opened in 1996, has hung up her stethoscope after 47 years as a medical practitioner.

During her distinguished career she attended five Olympics as a team doctor, seven Commonwealth Games, she was the medical professional for a host of football teams including the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Newtown Jets, Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and Sydney Swans and many others, including the NSW Swifts netball side.

Dr Bryant [photographed above with NSWIS CEO Kevin Thompson and Chief Medical Officer Corey Cunningham and Alyce Ryan, Administrator, Performance Health] was also the national team doctor for hockey, netball and water polo, the sport in which her brother Robert represented Australia at the Moscow and Los Angeles Olympics. In the 1980s she was a Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman who was once required to make a daring leap from the chopper to a narrow cliff ledge to help a patient.

She is also a life member of a number of sporting organisations, and in 2018 was inducted in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Her decision to retire has sparked an outpouring of emotion from a who’s who of Australian sport.

Thorpe, who won a total of five gold medals at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games, and is ranked highly among Australia’s greatest athletes, used Dr Bryant’s announcement as an opportunity to express the high regard in which he holds her.

“Dr Grace is the leading sports doctor in the country,” said Thorpe of the doctor he describes as a “valued friend”. “We’ve had the privilege of having Dr Grace working on multiple Commonwealth Games and Olympic Teams and around sport.

“What Grace is, is she’s a steady hand. She’s also a lover of sport, so it’s perfect. I’ve had a lot of post-career injuries Grace has helped me with. And she does it with every athlete that comes across her path. She understands athletic performance point of view and life point of view.

“We all love Grace. Thank God for Grace.”

One of Australia’s greatest netballers Liz Ellis AO, who, like Thorpe is a NSWIS alumni, reflected on Dr Bryant’ humanity – a doctor who always saw the ‘person’ behind the athlete.

“Dr Grace Bryant is a legend in netball circles,” said Ellis. “Her tireless work over many years involvement at NSW, Super Netball and Diamonds levels kept our elite players on court and able to deliver enormous success.

“Dr Grace has been more than a doctor to all of us. She is a friend, confidante and mentor, seeing the person behind the athlete, and for that we are truly grateful. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Grace for everything she has given to our sport and its athletes. Gracie, you will be missed!!”

Debbie Watson [photographed on far right] and Liz Weekes who won the gold medal as members of Australia’s water polo team at the Sydney Olympics reacted to the news via social media.

“Congratulations Gracie,” Watson wrote. “You are one of a kind and we were so lucky to have you on our team! Enjoy your retirement. Much love, Debbie.

“An incredible career Gracie,” Weekes wrote. “So grateful for your love and care. You’re a beautiful human and I’m so lucky to have you in my corner. All the best, massive hugs, Lizzy.

Paralympic icon, and National Coach, Wheelchair Track and Road, Louise Sauvage OAM highlighted the impact Dr Grace has had on her and many of her athletes.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for all the athletes and the many, many teams and of course my particular athletes – and myself as well.,” she said. “I hope to see you around the traps. I wish you a happy retirement.”

Paralympic wheelchair racer Rheed McCracken, a multi-Paralympic and World Championship medallist, expressed his thanks and appreciation for all Dr Grace had done for him over the years, while Genevieve Longman, a member of the silver medal winning Stingers at last year’s Paris Olympic Games offered her thanks on behalf of all the water polo players Dr Grace has treated over almost half a century.

“We really appreciate having you there to support us,” she said. “Making sure we’re happy and healthy, we’re going to miss you.”

Other tributes came from:

John Coates, former Vice President of the International Olympic Committee and former President of the Australian Olympic Committee

“We go back a long way, Grace. I had the very great privilege of having you as a member of the medical staff on five of the six Australian Olympic teams of which I was the Chef de Mission.

“I say, without hesitation, there was never anyone more diligent or capable than you, Grace; always prepared to stay back late at night and do the hard yards, as well as, of course, being out with the teams and being on the sideline or by the pool when required.

“I realise you have received many awards, including from NSWIS, but the one that really stood out for me was your being made a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

“My estimation is there’s probably only 10 medical practitioners and related service providers who’ve had that great honour. I worked with many of them, but none of them . . .  men or women . . . – have covered the diversity of sports you have. That’s why you’re such a good doctor, and why the athletes have that special faith in you.

“I have the greatest admiration for you. On behalf of the Olympic movement, the Australian Olympic Commitee, and all of those sports whose athletes you helped, we’re forever indebted to you. I look forward to seeing more of you over the years. Congratulations and thanks again, Grace.

Craig Phillips, Commonwealth Games Australia CEO

“The contribution of Dr. Bryant to Australian sport is unrivalled.

“We were proud to recognise her as a Life Member of Commonwealth Games Australia after her contribution to seven Games, including two as Medical Director, and her lifelong commitment to high standards in sports medicine, athlete welfare and integrity in sport will continue to leave an enduring mark.”

Gary Flowers, Chair New South Wales Institute of Sport

“On behalf of the New South Wales Institute of Sport Board, Executive, staff and athletes, it is my privilege to offer you on this, your final day of work at NSWIS, our warmest wishes and sincere thanks for your years of exceptional service. 

“You have been a valued member of the Institute since its doors opened in 1996. Your authenticity ensured you became a trusted confidant, mentor, friend and, of course, medical practitioner to our athletes and staff. 

“What has become clear since you announced your decision to retire Grace, is the esteem in which you are held at not just NSWIS, but throughout Australian sport. It ought to be considered a source of great personal pride for you that the likes of Ian Thorpe AM and Liz Ellis AO have praised your rare trait of ‘seeing’ the person behind the athlete. 

“Please know that you will always hold a special place at NSWIS. The overriding principle that drives the Institute is to provide our athletes with world’s best support. Grace, without question you have done that since day one. 

Professor Kevin Thompson, CEO NSWIS

“Trust in your medical team is absolutely critical at a sports institute where we support such a broad range of athletes in terms of age, sport and ability.  Grace has always been the perfect choice of Doctor for NSWIS.  Always professional, reliable and human.  Grace has been an incredible role model for the Australian sports system – a truly amazing career and it is so important that it is recognised and celebrated.  Many, many thanks Grace for all that you have done for NSWIS.”

Dr Corey Cunningham. NSWIS Chief Medical Officer

“Grace was one of the original Sports and Exercise physicians who founded the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, and she’ll be remembered as a pioneer for women in that field.

“Throughout her career she has been a mentor to many of the current doctors who work in Australia and around the world. She has always been very well liked and loved by her patients.

“And she has made a massive contribution to NSWIS, our programs, and the change towards the proactive model. It’s one where we make sure athlete care is optimised. Thank you for everything Grace, you have been a wonderful colleague and will be missed.

Sean Cooney, Manager NSWIS Performance Health

“Dr Grace has broken through countless glass ceilings to build a remarkable career, doing the work and leading by example. My only concern is her humility might hide just how extraordinary her journey has been.

“The next generation need to know the path she’s forged. They need to learn from all she has achieved. Grace, your contribution has made a meaningful difference and will continue to influence the field for years to come.”

Indeed, in keeping with her preference for a low-profile an emotional Dr Grace Bryant OAM had a simple message to share with her NSWIS colleagues before clocking off.

“I am overwhelmed,” she said.

Daniel Lane, NSWIS