Charles Sturt University students hold Allied Health Games for charity

The student physiotherapy clubs from CSU's Orange, Port Macquarie, and Albury campuses will run the Allied Health Games this Saturday and Sunday in an effort to raise money for Royal Far West.

The charity helps children from rural areas with developmental disabilities gain access to allied health services.

Formerly the Interphysio Games, O'Physio Club co-president Laura Duncan said the name had been changed to include students studying pharmacy, speech and occupational therapy.

She said up to 60 people would be playing this weekend.

"Saturday will be pretty manic, we'll have three basketball games, three netball games, three touch football games and at least three dodgeball games," she said.

The third-year physiotherapy student said if enough CSU staff attended, there would also be a staff versus students dodgeball match.

"Physiotherapy is a very physically-demanding job so we need to be as fit and healthy as we can be," she said of the choice to hold a physical competition.

"If you're in poor health, patients won't take you seriously.

"Hopefully we'll raise $2000 this year, that's looking really good."

Miss Duncan said despite CSU's large size, its campuses were small and spread out, meaning students usually only got to know a small group of people.

"You get to know the 30-50 people in your classes so the aim of the games is to get students together," she said.

Competition will be set aside on Saturday night for trivia, a barbecue and the trophy presentation, followed by a social night out at the Lord Anson.

Then on Sunday, On the Move Physiotherapy Services' Meredith Schwilk will present a lecture on paediatrics in rural areas before the students return home.

Various university departments made financial contributions to keep students' travelling costs down.

The public is welcome to watch the games at CSU's sporting fields from 9am-3pm on Saturday.