Mike Bundy (2&3 South, 1979) qualified from Guy’s Hospital Medical School in 1984 and then settled back in Cranleigh as a General Practitioner in 1990. He became the School Medical Officer in 2002 and introduced a Sports Injury Clinic at the Medical Centre at the School with regular physiotherapy and podiatry.
At the same time he was appointed Team Doctor to London Irish Rugby club and various England Rugby teams progressing from Students to U19 and onto 7’s and Saxons for 5 years before being appointed Senior England Team Doctor in August 2008. Two years previously he had given up General Practice to become a full time Sports Physician in London together with his rugby commitments.
Mike writes: Being Senior Team Doctor involves being away from home with the squad in camp for 18 weeks of the year with the 6 Nations, Autumn internationals and Summer tour commitments. The rest of the year I am travelling around the premiership clubs visiting players and their medical teams making sure they are doing all they should do to prevent injury and maintain fitness. I have 2 full time physiotherapists and 1 part-time masseuse in my team and when we are in camp we have 3 strength and conditioning coaches as well.
I report directly to Martin Johnson often daily throughout the year and at present we are in camp for the 6 Nations preparing to play Italy after a successful game against Wales. There is a constant `battle’ to keep the players fit and training and so far with our preventative programmes in place we have almost a complete squad available for selection. Game days are always exciting with a tremendous `buzz’ but medically we have to keep our feet on the ground and be prepared for any type of pitchside injury.
I am contracted till the 2011 Rugby World Cup and hopefully we can produce the goods out there in New Zealand!