I do feel quite privileged being part of this environment and I’m really embraced for my professionalism within the team.
Inge Croy
When it comes to the behind the scenes work at the DHL stormers, the medical team are often the unsung heroes. Their hard work, sacrifices and dedication to the team and players often go unnoticed.
DHL Stormers female physiotherapist, Inge Croy chats to Telecom Asia Sport about her journey with the Stormers. She is the woman who works tirelessly with the players on injuries, strapping, rehabilitation and making sure the players can perform optimally. It’s a job that she thoroughly enjoys and she feels really respected for her contribution within the team.
Inge hails from Vredenburg in the Western Cape and attended Herschel Girls High School in Cape Town. She studied Physiotherapy at the University of Cape Town. She is no stranger to rugby as she comes from a rugby family.
She is the daughter of the late great William “Balla” Croy who is a legendary rugby player who represented Tygerberg rugby club in the Northern Suburbs in Cape Town as well as the national SARU team.
She is also related to former Maties, Western Province and Boland flyhalf, Ricardo Croy. Inge also has a private physiotherapist practice called Naylor and Croy that she co-owns with former Springbok physiotherapist Rene Naylor.
What stands out about her is that she is hardworking, dedicated to her 2 jobs, and someone who has very high standards.
I have been with the physiotherapy industry for a very long time and for the DHL Stormers specifically since 2019. I have been working with John Dobson (Dobbo) and his team since 2015 with the Supersport challenge and Currie Cup and we have achieved quite a lot together. We won one Currie Cup together as well as the Inaugural United Rugby Championship. It’s been a really good journey to be on with Western Province and the Stormers teams.
Inge Croy
Inge then touched on what she does exactly on a daily basis as a physiotherapist with the DHL Stormers.
My day to day life is busy to put it lightly, I start with strapping, then I’m involved with team meetings, then making sure the players are ready for their field preparation session and as well as the injury management, so I try my best to be innovative and once the players are done with their sessions, we still do soft tissue care post training, so that we are getting them ready for the next day.
Inge Croy
I work very closely with the strength and conditioning coaches and we are really building on that relationship so we know where the guys (players) are at, what they are capable of doing and that we meet our targets.
Inge Croy
For Inge and many women out there they face many obstacles in a male dominated space especially in South Africa rugby, but this has changed over the years and she has been part of that change.
Being a woman in male dominated space, I must say it’s been really nice meeting more and more women in the field. So it’s been an amazing opportunity for me firstly to be a female physiotherapist, we bring a different dimension, I feel quite privileged and I’m very much embraced and I don’t feel I’m ever marginalized in any way, I’m just putting it out there and being quite direct about that.
Inge Croy
I do have a voice and it is heard and especially if there are any concerns I have, I’m listened to by my peers and the team. I’m really respected for my contribution to the team and it is a lovely environment to work in.
Inge Croy
Inge then went on to explain to us what she would like to achieve in her future perhaps, (after her career with the DHL Stormers and outside her private practice) and a message for the public out there.
My aspirations or goals on being with a national team one day, I think we all have aspirations to be with a national team one day, whether it’s for the Springboks or any other national team, but for now, I’m really happy here at the DHL stormers. If the opportunity comes, ofcourse I will jump for it, but I would love to see the DHL Stormers win an EPCR or an Investec Champions Cup trophy.
Inge Croy
To be a physio, you must be passionate but hard work and perseverance is the best advice I can say, surround yourself with people that support you and want what’s best for you and that can help you work towards your dream.
Inge Croy
We at the DHL Stormers play to make Cape Town smile so please fans and the public, we love you and please come support and let’s pack DHL stadium and Make it full for the last games at home that is shortly coming up.
Inge Croy
The Impact Inge has made to the players and coaches has been very positive, very rewarding and significant to the DHL Stormers and Western Province teams. Her attention to detail coupled with her caring nature and sweet personality has been gold. She has certainly gained the trust and is now a highly respected woman in the team environment.
Her relationship with her business partner Rene Naylor has also been vital to her career as Rene Naylor has been somewhat of a big sister and big guidance to her. With so many women coming through the ranks in SArugby from medical staff to players, it’s good to see an individual like Inge Croy shining and doing her work without having any pressure to prove herself. She will hopefully be in the rugby environment for many happier years and who knows she might be at a higher level sooner rather than later.