December 2023
As we draw closer to the end of 2023, we are writing to Members with a brief round-up, some great news, and a look to the future for The SST.
The SST is proud to have accomplished many things this year. With a growth in membership, and Members working at various levels of practice; in the NHS, the MOD, elite sport, Transplant Sport, in private practice, and in research and education, Graduate Sports Therapists have excelled in demonstrating they have the competencies required as MSK practitioners to be of great value across sport, exercise, health and fitness, both in the UK and internationally. This was recently recognised in the British Journal of Sports Medicine special edition in July, as well as with new pathways developed in collaboration with the Armed Forces and organisations such as Connect Health. In addition, Members showcased their expertise at various events, such as Elevate, Therapy Expo, the Academic Forum, and several webinars.
On a personal note, we were proud Michael was re-elected to the Board by the membership, and then subsequently elected, by the Board of Directors, as Chair, with Chris as Vice-Chair. The congratulations and well-wishers have been lovely and have come from both within the organisation and from other industry stakeholders. Particularly pleasing was the following message from Sheilabye Sobrany, President of the Royal College of Nursing: “I am writing to congratulate you on the appointment of your new Chair of The Society of Sports Therapists. Michael Cole, is a valued colleague, he is well respected by many of my nursing and healthcare colleagues, up and down the United Kingdom; we are delighted at this news.”
Extensive work in partnership with our CEO, Sally Steadman and the Board, has kept us incredibly busy but very proud of the work and progress we have made! Just some of the modernisation work Sally and the Chair have led on with the support of the Board and Head Office includes:
- an onboarding process for new Directors
- strategic planning, monitoring and reviewing, including PDRs
- recruitment for enhanced education and a new PR/Marketing tender
- updated Articles of Association, codes of practice, and a new Vision, Mission and Values commitment
- new Task Teams
- new draft levels of membership (tbc)
- enhanced Member benefits
- new online mini-forums for discussion with members and university partners
- joining the UK MSK Partnership Group
- continued collaboration with ARMA and the Community Rehab Alliance
All of this and more are vital to ensuring that The SST is fit for the 21st century and acknowledges the reality that over the last decade the gap between us and our key competitors has narrowed. Whilst The SST began as the leading body in the UK, we need to do more to ensure that Members, employers and the public can articulate precisely why this is still the case. We are dedicated to this goal and realise that whilst change can be uncomfortable, we encourage Members to reflect on the words of development expert, Daniel Millman: “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new”.
With a Chair with specialism in EDI, we were especially proud when the Board approved the development of The SST’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy, including the EDI Task Team – NEEDSs – which continues to inform and engage with policy, practices and members, most recently at the ‘Blacks Can’t Swim – Rewind’ screening at the University of East London. In addition, the second cycle of the Brian Bointon National Mentorship scheme for diversity is underway, as is the enhancement of data collection towards our diversity goals. These innovations came in advance of the HCPC’s recent renewed standards and, as such, place The SST as an industry leader.
Lastly, we would like to acknowledge the contributions from new Directors Thomas Hames and Jen Wilson, who have been fantastic additions during a period of fast-paced change and much-needed progress at The SST. We also welcome onboard via co-option Member Jenie Owens who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Board, most notably with her clinical NHS role.
With our growing Board of Directors and CEO, Sally Steadman, further exciting developments are on the horizon for our Members; the future is indeed bright. We look forward to meeting you at events and hearing about your achievements, ideas, and feedback. We are excited to see what more we can achieve together as a community of expert MSK professionals. Remember: We are Graduate Sports Therapists – expert practitioners valued by the NHS, the MOD, sports teams far and wide, and an ever-growing presence across the landscape of MSK health, exercise, fitness and sport.
Be proud, be engaged, and be the awesome Graduate Sports Therapists that you are.
Take care, festive wishes, and a Happy New Year
Michael (Chair) & Chris (Vice-Chair)
The Society of Sports Therapists
