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World First Aid Day When training becomes reality: Sara Gray’s story Graduate Sports Therapists train for medical emergencies hoping they will never have to put that training into practice. For The Society of Sports Therapists (SST) member Sara Gray, that changed on 10 January 2023, when a steward suffered a cardiac arrest at the football training ground where she was working. At the time, Sara was a Senior Academy Sports Therapist. She should have finished work around half an hour earlier but was still completing her notes when a message came over the radio. “One of the stewards has collapsed.” For Sara, the word collapsed immediately triggered a response. “The minute I heard the word ‘collapsed’, I shot up from my seat and said, ‘We’ve got to go.’” Sara and another therapist headed to the scene. Before they had even arrived, Sara was already allocating roles and preparing for the possibility of a cardiac arrest. When they reached the steward, the situation was serious. There was blood in his airway and he was unresponsive. The team immediately began emergency care. Seven shocks were delivered before the steward was transferred to the ambulance, where return of spontaneous circulation was achieved. The best outcome happened, and he survived. “I had just gone into training mode… It was completely emotionless, methodical, keep doing this, listen to the rhythm, you do this, you do that.” Although the situation was chaotic, the team had something important to fall back on which was training and preparation. The club had a well-established Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Trauma equipment and an automated external defibrillator (AED) were already pitch-side, staff could communicate by radio and people understood their roles. The coaches also had first-aid training, allowing them to provide CPR and follow instructions while Sara and her colleague concentrated on more advanced emergency care. An EAP needs to be practised The experience also changed how Sara approached emergency planning. Although the outcome was positive, the response wasn’t perfect. The team subsequently sat down and reviewed what had happened. “What happened that we weren’t prepared for? What were we prepared for? What could we do better?” They identified practical issues they had not fully anticipated. It was January, the casualty was wearing several layers of clothing, and it was pouring with rain. They also needed to consider privacy, crowd control and how other players should be moved away from a serious incident. These lessons were incorporated into future emergency planning. For Sara, this demonstrates why an EAP should never simply be a document that sits in a folder. It needs to be practised in the environment in which it may actually be used. First aid is not just a pitch-side skill Around six weeks later, the steward returned to work. Sara remembers something he told her: “This could have happened to me at the stable on my own and I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you today. It was only because it happened here, you and the team were around to help, that I’m alive today.” The steward hadn’t been exercising when he collapsed. He had simply been standing at the training ground.  A medical emergency can occur on a pitch, but it can equally happen in a clinic, gym, changing room, team bus or waiting room and this is why it is important to plan our EAP’s to cover all these possible situations. Why this matters for Graduate Sports Therapists Sara believes the emergency and trauma education embedded within her Sports Therapy degree provided an important foundation for the additional emergency-care qualifications she subsequently completed. For her, understanding why something is being done is as important as learning what to do. “When we teach it over the course of the degree… we get to really explore the ‘here’s why you’re doing things’ and you understand the underlying pathology.” This is why emergency care is an important competency for Graduate Sports Therapists. Graduation, however, is not the end of that training. Skills need to be refreshed and practised, supported by appropriate governing-body and recognised emergency-care training throughout a therapist’s career.   What happens afterwards matters too Sara also speaks openly about something that can receive less attention which is the impact on the person who responds. Immediately afterwards, she was running on adrenaline. “I was absolutely buzzing… it was a real, ‘This is a showcase of why we do what we do.’” Two days later, her feelings were very different. “I hit a massive low… I felt so sad and I think the heaviness of the situation and the reality of how it could have gone weighed in on me.” Talking to colleagues helped Sara process what had happened. Looking back, she recognises that she probably needed more time and support than she initially allowed herself. It is an important reminder that support and debriefing following a serious incident should include the wellbeing of those who responded, not just a review of the clinical management.   How can The Society of Sports Therapists support members? The SST requires members first aid training to maintain membership. The SST also helps to provide guidance around EAPs (Check out the world cup section on Exertional health illness and the EAP templates) and encourage members to regularly practise emergency scenarios in their own working environments. As a member focussed organisation, we are always here if you would like to chat through an experience, so please do not hesitate to reach out. When asked what advice she would give another Sports Therapist preparing for an emergency, Sara’s answer was simple: “Know your equipment. Know your role.” For World First Aid Day, it is a message worth remembering.   About Sara Gray Sara Gray Williams is a Graduate Sports Therapist and registered member of The Society of Sports Therapists. She currently teaches on the Sport and Exercise Therapy degree programme at the University of South Wales, alongside working within the medical provision for the Wales Women’s National Football Team and in private practice. Sara has a varied background across grassroots and elite sport, having previously worked within Welsh league football and international futsal before progressing into elite development football with an EFL Championship club. She has also completed both Intermediate and Advanced Trauma qualifications, further developing her knowledge and practical skills in the assessment and management of pre-hospital emergency care.   Photo credits: Images of Sara Gray provided courtesy of the Football Association of Wales (FAW). Photography by Ashley Crowden/FAW. Image 1: Wales Women’s training session, The Vale Resort, Cardiff, 27 November 2024. Image 2: Wales Women’s training session, Sportanlagen Güttingersreuti, Weinfelden, Switzerland, 30 June 2025.

Sheffield played host this August to the largest British Transplant Games in history — a record‑breaking celebration of life, determination and the extraordinary impact of organ donation. Among over 1,200 transplant recipients and living donors competing across the city, SST Members and Students were out in force, forming a vital part of the Transplant Sport Therapy Team. Forty‑six therapists volunteered this year, creating a multidisciplinary powerhouse of Sports Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and students from all disciplines. Spread across athletics, cycling, table tennis, squash and tennis, the Therapy Team were impossible to miss in their fluorescent green shirts — a reassuring beacon for athletes pushing their limits. For Jonathan Bull, a York St John graduate now working with York City FC Men’s U.18s, answering the call for volunteers proved transformative: “This has been so rewarding. It’s so different from my experiences to date — working with inspirational athletes — and I’ve learned a lot.” All therapists attended Mastering Therapy Skills for Transplant Athlete Success, a seminar delivered by SST Member Dr Michelle Evans. The session equipped volunteers with essential insight into supporting athletes who have undergone organ or stem cell transplantation — knowledge that proved invaluable throughout the Games. Lead Therapist Alison Bloxham, who championed the multidisciplinary “Therapy Team” model some years ago, reflected on the strength of the group: “The team is a great example of different professions working together for a common cause. They volunteer their time and expertise, and we just couldn’t do this without them.” This spirit of collaboration was reflected in the recognition given to Physiotherapist Philippa Bromley, who received the Outstanding Contribution to Therapy, British Transplant Games 2026, for her dedication and service. SST CEO Simon Bowen, who attended the Games, praised the commitment shown across the Therapy Team: “We are delighted to continue our work with the Transplant Sport Therapy Team. It’s been fantastic to see our Members and Students here, to chat with them, and to watch how much they benefit from this experience. We hope that many more will sign up going forward, especially for both the 2027 British and World Transplant Games.” As ever, the Games were a powerful reminder of the resilience, humility and joy of those living with organ and stem cell transplants. But they also highlight a stark reality: the UK’s organ transplant waiting list has reached record levels, now exceeding 8,000 people according to NHS Blood and Transplant. 💚 Find out more about organ donation Interested in joining the Therapy Team at the World Transplant Games 2027? Find out more about the SST Travelling Scholarship and how to apply here. Applications close 1st September 2026.

The European Transplant Games 2026 brought more than 1,000 athletes from 24 countries to Arnhem for a week celebrating life, resilience and the power of organ donation. At the centre of Team GB’s support were SST Honorary Member Sheila Leddington Wright and Graduate SST Member Abby Coleman, whose work proved vital to athlete performance and wellbeing throughout the Games. Sheila, a highly experienced therapist within Transplant Sport and former Associate Professor in Sports Therapy at Coventry University, led the therapy provision. She was supported by Abby, who studied at Edge Hill University and now works in private practice at Lomax Physio, alongside her role as Junior Pathway Therapist at Huddersfield Giants. She joined Sheila as part of a small, dedicated support team. Abby’s growing involvement in the Transplant community earned her the SST Outstanding Contribution to Therapy Award in 2024 and ultimately the invitation to join the European Games support team. Together they travelled to Arnhem with their own equipment and supplies and established a therapy base at the Valkenhuizen Sports Centre, supporting athletes across the range of sports including badminton, table tennis, swimming, athletics, pétanque and darts. With temperatures exceeding 30 degrees and the final two days of competition cancelled due to extreme heat, their combined expertise became even more important. Working as a pair proved invaluable. Their complementary skill sets allowed them to share treatments, combine clinical reasoning, and deliver targeted interventions. Sheila explained: “Most issues were chronic niggles—functional problems athletes had carried for some time—rather than acute injuries, and we were able to help athletes understand and manage those concerns. Despite the extreme heat, no heat‑related medical emergencies occurred.” Abby described her role as providing comprehensive Sports Therapy support: “This involved assessing musculoskeletal concerns, helping with recovery, providing pre‑ and post‑event treatment, and advising athletes on reducing the risk of injury so they could continue to perform at their best after the Games.” Sheila praised Abby’s professionalism, “Abby was absolutely outstanding. She was so adaptable and the athletes totally loved her.” Their impact was felt across the team. Badminton athlete Vince Mayne, who completed a remarkable “triple crown” of British, World and now European titles, all gained within a twelve -month period, credited the therapists with keeping him and his teammates ready to compete, helping them perform at their best. 🎥 Listen to Vince Mayne talk about what it means to have a second chance at life. The Games reinforced the essential role SST Sports Therapists play in supporting transplant athletes — helping them perform, recover and celebrate the second chance that sport represents.   💚 Find out more about organ donation Every donor has the potential to save and improve lives. In just two minutes, you can record your organ donation decision and help give others a second chance. 🔗 Learn more and register your decision

The Society of Sports Therapists is delighted to continue its partnership with Therapy Show 2026, taking place on 25–26 November 2026 at the NEC Birmingham. As one of the UK’s leading events for therapy professionals, Therapy Show brings together clinicians from across the sector for two days of evidence-informed education, practical learning and professional networking. This year’s programme has been redesigned around the skills clinicians use every day, with sessions covering clinical reasoning, assessment and differential diagnosis, musculoskeletal practice, rehabilitation, movement and performance. Delegates will also have the opportunity to experience hands-on learning in the Applied Practice Arena, attend business and leadership sessions, explore content focused on women’s health and specialist populations, and discover the latest products, services and innovations from leading exhibitors. As part of this year’s collaboration, The Society of Sports Therapists is proud to sponsor the Therapy Show Networking Lounge – a dedicated space where delegates can take a break between sessions, reconnect with colleagues, meet new contacts and continue conversations throughout the event. Exclusive Member Discount Members of The Society of Sports Therapists are entitled to an exclusive 15% discount on the best available ticket price. To access the promotional code and booking information, please visit the SSTExtra area within the Members’ Area of the website. The Society looks forward to supporting another successful Therapy Show and welcoming members and the wider therapy community to the NEC Birmingham this November. Event Details 📍 NEC Birmingham 📅 25–26 November 2026 For further information about Therapy Show 2026 and to book your place, please visit the official Therapy Show website.

A conversation with graduate Sports Therapist, referee and researcher Hannah Gardner Now that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, much of the conversation will centre around the players, tactics and tournament favourites. Yet, behind every major competition the match officials are another group of elite performers who’s contribution often goes unnoticed. We spoke to Hannah Gardner, a graduate Sports Therapist, practising Sports Therapist and elite football referee. Her journey demonstrates the breadth of opportunities available to Sports Therapy graduates and the value of combining research with applied practice.   The career journey Could you take us through your career journey and some of the key experiences that have shaped who you are today? ” Sports Therapy seemed like an opportunity to understand injuries and how to support athletes returning to performance. I almost fell into it, and the doors it has opened have been incredible. I wouldn’t change it.” What were the most valuable lessons you took from your Sports Therapy degree? “One of the biggest things I learnt was to consider the holistic picture. Every athlete and patient has their own story. As sports therapists, we’re one small part of a much bigger puzzle.”   From student to researcher After completing her undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, Hannah progressed directly into a Master of Research (MRes), continuing to explore her growing interest in match officials. ” I was very fortunate to continue working with Timothy Horn throughout my BSc and MRes, he was absolutely fantastic across the whole journey.  With the addition of Professor Matt Greig to my team for my masters, the support from both Tim and Matt really helped to shape the direction of my research”   The forgotten athletes Your MRes focused on elite match officials. What inspired that area of research? “My undergraduate dissertation touched on match officials, and the MRes gave me the opportunity to explore it further as we looked at the athletic profiling of elite match officials. It’s an area that simply doesn’t receive the same level of attention as player research.” What did your research reveal? “It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. What works for players cannot automatically be applied to referees. Match officials have different needs, different demands, and require support that is specific to them.” “Referees get injured too. We need to think about their preparation, recovery and injury prevention in the same way we would for other participants in sport.”   Combining research and practice You’ve balanced research with clinical work. Why is that important to you? “I still love being hands-on. Working face-to-face with athletes, supporting them through rehabilitation and return to performance, is something I never want to lose.” “For me, research strengthens applied practice. We can produce excellent research academically, but if it isn’t useful in the real world, then we have to ask ourselves what purpose it serves.”   Advice for the next generation “Don’t be afraid to try things. If it doesn’t work out, you’ve still learnt something valuable.” If you could offer one piece of advice to your first-year self? “Be a sponge. Take on as much knowledge, advice and experience as you can.”   More than one career path What are you most proud of in your career so far? “Supporting my first athlete all the way from injury to return to performance as a qualified Sports Therapist was a huge moment.” “Academically, successfully defending my master’s thesis was something I’m incredibly proud of.”   Looking to the future Hannah is currently undertaking a PhD through a collaboration between Manchester Metropolitan University and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO). As the football world celebrates the stars of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Hannah’s story reminds us that elite performance extends far beyond the players on the pitch and Sports Therapists have an important role to play in supporting every member of the team behind the team. For those considering what comes next, keep an eye out on part 2 which focusses on Hannah’s PhD research. For now, her advice is simple: be curious, embrace opportunity and, above all, be a sponge. You never know where your Sports Therapy degree might take you.   Members can sign in to access our World Cup Resource Hub for more.

The Society of Sports Therapists (The SST) and The Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership and signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).     CASES is the professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK and The SST is the largest lead organisation for Sports Therapists in the UK. The SST ensures that all graduate Sports Therapists are competent and capable of providing safe practice to their patients and clients. Their overarching aim is to raise the profile, status and standards of Sports Therapists and the profession.      The Partnership Agreement outlines the agreed collaborative relationship between both organisations for the purposes of enhancing the activities of each business and fostering co-operation for the benefit of all professionals involved within the respective organisations.   Both partners agree to actively collaborate on areas of mutual benefit, promote aims and encourage cross-collaboration from their respective communities of interest. This includes joint articles and editions of publications, dissemination of research findings and promotion of other relevant content, conferences and events, joint webinars and events, with CASES and SST members accessing at reciprocal member costs, where applicable.      Commenting on the new partnership, Ian Wilson, CASES CEO, said, “CASES is delighted to partner with The Society of Sports Therapy, and we hope this partnership will increase the CPD and collaborative opportunities for both organisations’ members.”    Simon Bowen, SST CEO said “Our new partnership with CASES brings together two leading organisations committed to advancing standards across sport and exercise practice. This agreement reflects our shared ambition to foster collaboration, support professional development, and create greater opportunities for our collective members. By working together, we can strengthen links between disciplines, promote research and innovation, and ultimately enhance the quality of care provided to all.”    Please click here to view the full MoU with CASES.  

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 taking place across the USA, Canada and Mexico, extreme heat is expected to be one of the key challenges facing athletes, medical teams and support staff. Several host cities regularly experience temperatures above 32°C, placing increased emphasis on hydration, recovery, environmental monitoring and the recognition of exertional heat illness. While these challenges will be visible on football’s biggest stage, exercising and competing safely in the heat is relevant to sports therapists working across all levels of sport. To support both the wider sporting community and our members, The Society of Sports Therapists has developed a range of resources focused on heat illness awareness, emergency planning and match day preparation. ⚽ Our public article, “When Temperatures Rise: How Sports Therapists Keep Athletes Safe and Performing”, explores how Sports Therapists help athletes prepare for, adapt to and perform safely in hot conditions. The article highlights the role of heat acclimatisation, hydration planning, recovery strategies and the recognition of heat-related illness. ⚽ For SST members, we have also launched the World Cup 2026 Resource Hub. The hub includes practical tools and educational resources covering: Exertional Heat Illness guidance Heat Illness Infographics Match Day and Clinic Readiness Checklists Medical Emergency Action Plan (MEAP) templates Knowledge-check questionnaires and answer sheets Emergency planning resources for clinical and event environments Whether you are supporting athletes in grassroots sport, private practice, event settings or professional football, these resources have been designed to help practitioners prepare, plan and respond with confidence. Read the public article and learn more here.

Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) and Marlow‑based Horizon Rehabilitation Ltd were proudly co‑nominated — and went on to win — a Heart of Bucks Award in December 2025. Their joint project earned the Best Community Collaboration Award for the post‑race support delivered by BNU Sports Therapy students, supervised by Horizon Rehabilitation staff, at the Marlow Half Marathon on 2 November 2025. During a recent lecturing visit, Karen Blagojevic, clinic owner and director of Horizon Rehabilitation Ltd, personally presented the award to BNU and thanked students for their outstanding contribution. Donations raised from the event are helping to fund community classes for people living with dementia, supporting movement, confidence, and overall wellbeing. The BNU Sports Therapy team shared their pride in the collaboration, saying they were delighted to receive the award alongside Horizon Rehabilitation Ltd and grateful for the continued opportunities offered to their students at local community events.

Practitioners and students are invited to attend a free CPD workshop taking place on April 22, 2026 (4:00–8:00 PM) at the Marjon Health & Wellbeing Hub, Plymouth Marjon University. Delivered in collaboration with VALD, the event will feature expert speakers including Adam Rutter, Alex Kay, and Sarah Catlow, covering topics such as tendinopathy management, performance in elite sport, and the role of diagnosis in sports therapy. This is a great opportunity to gain insights, network with peers, and explore the latest developments in rehabilitation and performance. Register now to secure your place

We’re excited to announce a new opportunity at The Society of Sports Therapists. We’re recruiting a Content Development Lead — a Graduate Sports Therapist with a passion for research, writing, and advancing professional standards. This pivotal role will lead the development of high-quality, evidence-based resources that support our members and help shape the future of Sports Therapy. 📍 Remote and flexible📅 Closing date: Friday 17 March 2026 Find out more and how to apply via our Job Board here.