Levin Health has announced a new sports advisory board featuring some of the nation’s biggest stars across a variety of codes.
The board includes basketball champion and Hall of Fame inductee Lauren Jackson, the most successful Australian Football League (AFL) coach of the modern era, Alastair Clarkson, and Damien Oliver, one of Australia’s greatest-ever jockeys.
Sports science company Levin Health uses an evidence-based approach to develop pharmaceutical-grade medicinal cannabis products and objective diagnostic and treatment devices for concussion.
The board members’ knowledge and experience will help guide the firm’s research, activities and strategy in areas including chronic pain, concussion and mental health.
Years of competing at an elite level have caused basketball champion Jackson to suffer from chronic pain.
She said: “I finished playing basketball with knee, hip and back issues and was thinking about medicinal cannabis to deal with chronic pain as a safe alternative to other medications I had been previously prescribed.
“After discussing this with my doctor I was provided with a prescription and my body is starting to feel much better than before. I am very happy to help the Levin Health team try to reduce the stigma associated with medicinal cannabis and provide my insight for their researchers.”
As a former AFL player and coach, Clarkson will provide valuable insight into the demands of elite sport, including the impact of concussion on the body.
He said: “Regardless of whether it’s amateur or professional, AFL can be a brutal contact sport. Chronic pain and challenges associated with concussion are ongoing side-effects for many ex-AFL players and often for their friends in the wider community. I know the doctors Levin Health are working with at La Trobe University really well and I trust them.”
Rounding out the board will be champion jockey Damien Oliver. Having suffered many falls and concussions during his career, the veteran rider will help guide research into an area the racing industry considers to be a major health and safety risk.
He said: “Concussion is a big problem for jockeys, probably more than people think. Levin Health [is] investing in world class research and technology, not only to help jockeys, but also our community. If my sport can be made safer, then I feel comfortable lending my name and advice to that cause.”
Levin Health CEO Mark Brayshaw said of the board: “As leaders in their chosen fields, each member will provide invaluable first-hand experience and insight into conditions which impact many active Australians and sportspeople.”
“By combining our strong industry relationships with clinically validated products, we’re committed to developing the best cannabis-based sports medicine that helps solve the most challenging health issues.”
