At the start of the rugby season, a group of Flinders rural medical students showcased their skills both on and off the field during a rugby match in the Barossa.

Renmark SARM Program Year 2 student Ben Thomas made the trip to the Barossa to compete against the Barossa Rams Rugby Club with Hannah Muir also Y2 as a supporter. Ben plays with the Adelaide University Rugby Club, alongside David Lam, Director of the Flinders SA Regional Training Hub, highlighting the strong connections between sport, mentorship, and medical training.

Supporting the match from the sidelines were MDRS Year 3 Barossa students Jayde Tyczenko, Carlia Thomas, and Hanna Pallari, who volunteered their time as team medics for the day. The experience provided a valuable opportunity to apply their clinical skills in a real-world, community-based setting.

The students said they had a fantastic day, embracing both the hands-on learning and the welcoming atmosphere of the local rugby community. After the match, they joined in the post-game social event, further strengthening their connection to the region.

Eager to continue their involvement, the trio expressed interest in supporting the Barossa Rams at future home games, schedules permitting—demonstrating the strong spirit of community engagement that underpins rural medical training.