She may not be the one winning the medals, lifting the trophies or grabbing the headlines, but make no mistake: Colleen Lebanna is an essential part of Team BW’s athletics success.
At 37, Lebanna is firmly established as one of the nation’s leading sports physiotherapists.
Her prowess and dedication to both job and country has taken her across the world, ensuring the bodies of Botswana’s elite athletes are ready for battle.
The Voice’s ONNEILE NTOKOLO caught up with the Grace Physiotherapy Clinic Director to find out more…
Who is Colleen Lebanna?
I am proudly from Mabalane village and a daughter-in-law of Bangwaketse though born and raised in Gabs, to Comfort and Connie Tlhagwane. First born of 3 and first of the grandchildren both sides. I’m the Director and Physiotherapist at Grace Physiotherapy clinic, also working with national elite athletes
What inspired you to pursue physiotherapy, and specifically sports physiotherapy?
Well, I have always wanted to work in health, initially in a hospital, but when I found out physio has multiple environments of work I became interested in the possibility of field work. I did my Bachelor of Science (BSc) at the University of Botswana (UB) for two years before pursuing my Honors Degree from the University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland and later Master of Public Health from the University of Pretoria (UP) in South Africa. My continuous professional development has involved a lot of sports courses such as Sports Injury Management and Rehabilitation, Strength and Conditioning, etc from places like Clinical Solutions in South Africa.
Take us through your physiotherapy journey from your early training to where you are today?
I have served in the public sector (NRH) and in the military (SSKB). Currently I’m in private practice (Grace Physiotherapy) as an independent practitioner; that is where the magic happens!
How did you break into the space of working with professional and national-level athletes?
In terms of sports, I started working with Team Botswana as early as 2013 at Region 5; someone from BNSC called the hospital asking for a physio to volunteer to help the team in Zimbabwe and I accepted the request. From then on, whenever the team needed extra hands I would gladly help. There was then a call for application of interest from BNOC, that’s when I applied and was chosen and trusted with senior teams, where I worked with the likes of Isaac Makwala and Nigel Amos as part of Team Botswana medical personnel.
I only started working closely with athletics two-to-three years ago and travelled with the team for the first time to the 2023 World Champs in Budapest. That’s where I met Letsile Tebogo, Collen Kebinatshipi and others who had just joined the senior athletics team. They then asked me if I could see them on a pro bono basis, when we are back home. I thought this was a great idea because usually when we get back from competition, there was never any follow-up with the athletes. Having worked with the senior teams, I thought this was a perfect opportunity to rectify and do better for the upcoming ones, so I volunteered my services for the juniors only, though Bayapo Ndori tagged himself in this despite being a senior (laughing)! So that’s where the working relationship started and progressed outside national duty.
What does your day-to-day look like when you’re rendering services to Botswana athletes? Any funny moments that stand out?
Day-to-day at the clinic is like any other day really, except they don’t book in advance and tend to do walk-ins, which makes my day hectic, though in a nice way because they bring noise and jokes. Usually they come in pairs but on critical days as a whole group! It’s always interesting to listen to their stories and life perspective (laughs).
What are the most common injuries you treat among athletes?
I have worked with softball, boxing and volleyball, but because I mostly work with athletics I will mention their common injury, which we all know, hamstrings! I usually educate and teach them, for example that they shouldn’t forget to stretch their glutes and lower back, and not just focus on the hamstrings themselves as it’s all related. I use different modalities to mange athletes, in addition to traditional physio, I also offer cupping, dry needling and recovery boots.
Recovery boots?
They are compression boots – inflatable sleeves, usually for legs, sometimes arms, that rhythmically squeeze and release, mimicking a massage or muscle pump.
Which major sporting events or teams have you worked with, and what were those experiences like?
A lot! We need three pages (laughing)! I have been to the World Relays in Bahamas and China, World Champs, to the Commonwealth Games, to all Africa Games, and the Paralympics in Japan to mention a few. Let me also mention Softball World Champs in Canada and boxing Olympic qualifiers in Thailand. The experience is different each time. I’m always eager to learn from others and enjoy the local food – which funnily enough is usually the Athletes least favorite experience!
What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for being an effective sports physiotherapist?
Be fast. Be fast in your thinking and your execution. Know how to improvise and learn your population quickly, not just physically but their psych as well. Be very observant and treat the athletes with respect and care. Everyone can have or get knowledge but it’s the small subtle interpersonal skills that will also make you effective.
How do you stay up to date with the latest techniques, technologies, and global trends in sports physiotherapy?
Social media! (Laughs again) Well, I do a lot of continuous development courses and I am always looking to see what others are doing when abroad, hence I have some additional services apart from the traditional physio methods. I don’t have everything I wish I had, but I know how to work with what I have. I do try and read up on current literature and studies because there is always something new, which may or may not be effective, but I have come to learn that if it’s trending and you use it, you gain their confidence and they will be confident also.
What’s been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
Yoh! Serving people, serving the nation’s favorites. I also volunteer with Special Olympics Botswana, so it has been rewarding working with our special population as well.
I pride myself in being a Motswana! From school to life after school, each time I get BW merchandise I am like a kid who’s seeing it for the first time! And of course I have enjoyed being friends with celebrities (chuckles)! Travelling to different places, meeting people you see on TV, being part of the sports community generally, the list goes on. Apart from sports I also enjoy working with women, during and after pregnancy. Just someone saying ‘thank you so much, I feel much better,’ is so rewarding.
What challenges do you face working in high-performance sports environments?
I’m a positive person. The challenge is in overcoming the challenges. Usually, it’s pressure to do the best job, and having to pray day and night that nothing goes wrong. And the pressure to get someone back to the field of play, or negotiating with the entire team that we shouldn’t fail a person. But these are just part of the job. I guess they are challenges yes. And I mean, working with people is a challenge in itself.
How do you juggle the demands of being a sports physiotherapist with having a family and personal life?
So far, so good. I don’t have a big family of my own, it’s just the two of us so I’m usually available and willing.
What support systems help you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
I’m a church girl – that keeps me grounded. I’m into personal development, which keeps me motivated and going. I keep a ‘to do’ list and plan my days. I’m an early riser so most things I do before everyone is awake and when I work, I work and when I play, I play! I have a fun and supportive family and I arrange intentional hangouts with the girls.
What advice would you give to young Batswana who want to pursue physiotherapy or work in sports medicine?
Go for it. Do it for the love and passion, there is no money! And be willing to work for free sometimes, experience matters.
With or without money, Thank God It’s Friday! What are your weekend plans?
Well, well, well, this weekend it’s a big one for my family, we are throwing our parents a massive 35th wedding anniversary.
