Sarah Trifogli has been NSW's team physio at a majority of the 2022 National Championships events, including the title-winning Open Men’s, Over 35 Men’s & Over 35 Women’s teams. We caught up with her recently to learn more about her extensive background in Strength and Conditioning, love for softball and many other highlights from her illustrious career. 

Tell us a little bit more about yourself and your background in sport.

Growing up in Orange, NSW & I have always been a sporty kid for as long as I can remember. I played everything I physically could, with softball, cross-country, athletics, soccer & touch-football being my main state & national representative sports. I also used to volunteer with Sports Representative Councils. Wins and volunteering experience aside, I also spent a lot of my childhood at the physio for numerous injuries, and all of my therapists were such nice people - so I wanted to be just like them when I grew up!

After completing my Certificate III & Certificate IV in Fitness from Newcastle TAFE, I pursued a Diploma of Fitness & a Diploma of Sport & Athlete Support Services. It was here that I met Kathy Horton, who became one of my earliest Sport Science mentors and took me back to my love for Softball by assisting with teams for my placement hours.

I then pursued my Bachelor of Exercise Science (Rehabilitation) in Bathurst. Also having completed my Level 1 ASCA Strength & Conditioning Certificate around this time, I took on a position as a WRAS S&C coach for the Softball & High-Performance Basketball Squads. I was also fortunate to do my placement hours testing Australian Softball squad members, and with the NSW Waratahs. It was during this time that I became the first person outside the US to win the Women in S&C scholarship award for my contribution to the movement screening that we had developed as a coaching team at WRAS. This team also became the first institution outside the US to win the Strength of America award for the same.

Following my undergrad, I ran my own fitness & coaching business in Orange for a while – a venture I discontinued after three years owing to health reasons. Seeking more for my career, I then moved to Sydney to complete my Postgraduate Doctor of Physiotherapy, followed by a Musculoskeletal Private Practice role at Recover Physiotherapy in Glebe – a job I’ve had to date!

I’ve also been involved in a range of weightlifting, gym & running events, including featuring in Channel 7’s Australian Spartan Series & continued running until I had an ankle fracture in 2018. Managing my own rehab at this stage meant that I pushed hard from the get-go and started Powerlifting as a means of regaining my strength & function. I won my first Novice competition in 2018 which motivated me to take it up more competitively. So here we are in 2022, with 7 Powerlifting Golds and solid training leading into the Australian Powerlifting Nationals later this year.

Have you been involved with softball prior to working with Softball NSW? If so, what do you like the most about the sport?

Yes. I started playing T-Ball at the age of seven and played softball until I was nineteen. I played for Orange, The Phantoms, Western Region, Bathurst Diocese, NSW CCC, NSW Country, WRAS, trialled for NSW U18’s & attended the TAP camp at SAS Narrabeen. After I moved away from home after year 12, I couldn’t commit to the sport due to work and uni demands.

As part of my uni placements, I helped out with NSW & Australian softball teams testing, programming & tournaments alongside Kathy Horton. I was the S&C coach for the WRAS Softball squads in 2011 & 2012, and have enjoyed being involved in softball more recently as NSW’s team physio at the Open Men’s, U18s Women’s, U23s Women’s, Over 35s Men’s & Over 35s Women’s Nationals. I love watching the game, and often get jealous about not being out there playing too – there are so many things I love about softball!

What have you enjoyed the most about working as a physio in Softball specifically?

Unlike other sports that have a half or quarter-time break, there are moments when I’ve had to think and work at the speed of light to strap up an ankle between short innings. It means I often get to see the improvements happen on the spot. I get to witness the benefits of my treatment right there & then and watch players perform when they thought they couldn’t. I can’t fix a muscle tear or heal a fracture for someone, but I can keep people playing when they otherwise would have needed to come off. That’s a win for me!

I have also enjoyed mixing with all the players and officials – so much banter and many laughs! The teams have all been so welcoming and supportive & I’ve made some great new friends, learned some random new things (like U18 lingo that I’m clearly too old to understand), and built some great new contacts in many other areas.
 

Any favourite moments from your time as physio of various Softball NSW teams?

So many! Of course, there has been some very exciting game wins, especially some Grand Final Golds! There have been many home run hits & spectacular catches! There have been some hilarious jokes and rain-delay dances! Not to forget something as randomly surprising as my 5-year-old Physio assistant dressed as Pikachu (from the VIC team) for a while at 35 Nationals. I’ve had some proud Physio moments watching a torn triceps throw and some adductor strains run again.

Running out on the diamond cheering & celebrating after a Grand Final win & having crying coaches squeeze me in a tight hug, thanking me for everything I did, & having parents pull me aside and thank me for keeping their child on the field – these moments were (and still are) the most special for me! Knowing I’ve done my job successfully - that’s the stuff that fills my cup! I haven’t seen this degree of community in most other sports.