Arlesey Town physio helps Serbia's Rugby League team to European Championship glory
Arlesey Town physio Leonard Mcmain has been on international duty to help Serbia's Rugby League team to victory in the European Championships.
Leonard was kept very busy keeping the players fit and healthy towards securing a win over the Netherlands 4-30 and beating Malta 52-12.
He was also introduced to the Australian Ambassador who presented the trophy to the Serbian team in Belgrade.
Leonard, who lives in Cranfield, said it was a fantastic and well deserved win he was happy to be a part of it. He has been a physio with the Serbian team for 19 years after first going over in 2006 as England physio to help promote rugby league in the country.
He said: “Serbia were the defending champions having won two years ago. So it was a tremendous achievement to regain the trophy and great to have played a part in their success. There’s a lot of home grown talent in the team so it was really emotional for a lot of the players. And it was extra special as it as my birthday as well.”
“The team really helped put Serbia on the sporting map. And I've made really good friends.”
Leonard, who runs his own clinic as well as working with Arlesey Town FC, used to work as a paramedic for the former Bedfordshire Ambulance Service for 20 years before training to become a physio.
“I live and breathe sport and am interested in the medical side of things so it was a good fit.”