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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]University of Hertfordshire Graduate Laura Clint, the first winner of the Student Travelling Scholarship to York University, Toronto, set off for Canada at the beginning of last month. Laura has had a busy schedule since touching down, with much of her time spent at the University, learning plenty about the Canadian way of life, both in terms of therapy and culture. While in Canada, Laura is staying with Loriann Hynes, Assistant Professor at York University and her family. Laura wrote to us to let us know how she is getting on: ‘I just thought I would give you an update on my Travelling Scholarship and offer a little glimpse into some of the amazing things I have been doing. After arriving on the 8th, I had a day where I went into the University to meet everyone and from then it was very full on.   We had the baseline testing for the concussion research project for the football team, the York Lions, which was a pretty busy day as there are a lot of players! The next day football camp started, which turned out to be a very, very busy two weeks. I didn’t know what to expect at the University but was surprised at how big it was; they have three stadiums on campus, which is a bit different to a few grass pitches that most universities have in the UK. With the football team, there is the Head Therapist and a team of six student therapists that I have been working with. They have all been really nice and helped me settle in. It’s been good to work with the students and help them out but also learn the way they do things in Canada.  I’ve had to get to grips with the lots of things, particularly first aid supplies being called different names here…and remembering which way to look when I cross the road! During football camp, days were pretty long so I would get up and go to camp, come back and sleep, so I didn’t get to see too much of the Hynes family during this time. But I was given a day off to go to Niagara Falls with them last weekend and it was good to get a bit of down time and spend some time with them.  The Falls were really impressive and we managed to get a really good view on the boat, despite getting a bit wet! Loriann and her husband Chris also introduced me to poutine (chips with gravy and cheese curds on top) at Smoke’s Poutinerie which I really liked! The trip was finished off with a visit to Hershey’s, which resulted in me buying a lot of fudge! On one of our shorter days I got the opportunity to go to see a Canadian Football League game, Toronto Argonauts vs Montreal Alouettes. It was good to watch football from a different perspective and see it at a professional level. The best bit so far was definitely getting to go down onto the field and watch batting practice at the Blue Jays game, which, from a sports fan and therapist’s perspective, was awesome! I even managed to sneak into the dugout for a photo, which Loriann said was the furthest anyone has got! I got to chat to two of the therapists and they were really nice and even gave me a ball. We stayed for the game and even though Blue Jays lost it was still a really good experience’. Laura Editor’s Note: Delighted that Laura is enjoying her experience in Canada. We will be hearing a more detailed account from Laura when she returns to the UK.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Both the IAAF World Para Athletics and the World Championships took place in July and August this year, with plenty of exciting coverage of both events. Students and Graduates from the University of East London’s Sports Therapy programme took part in the University’s media project, which involved offering the event’s media staff a massage service in return for a small donation towards their chosen charity, Right To Play. The charity uses the power of play to educate and empower children to overcome the effects of poverty, conflict and disease in disadvantaged communities. We got in touch with some of the UEL team members who were volunteering at the events to find out more about their experience. We spoke to Camilla Smee, a Graduate Sports Therapist from UEL who now runs her own clinic, Elite Injuries, alongside a variety of other Sports Therapy roles. Camilla was working with the students throughout the events to offer support and advice. We also heard from Jack Chandler, a current student at UEL, who volunteered at both Championships. For both Camilla and Jack, this was their first athletics event of this scale and gained plenty from their time at the Olympic Stadium. Here’s what they had to say: How did you get involved in the Championships? Camilla: UEL’s Physiotherapy Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader, Liz Nicholls, was the Venue Medical Manager for the IAAF World Championships. So it was actually through delivering some guest lectures and doing some module support work at UEL that I came to hear of the opportunity. Jack: I got involved in the Championships through UEL, where the opportunity was first presented to me during a lecture. I applied online and passed a telephone interview before attending a day long training event. Tell us a bit about what you were doing. What was your role? Jack: We were a team of Sports Therapists and Physiotherapists providing a massage service for all media staff at the events for our charity, Right To Play. We also spent some time in a polyclinic right at the top of lane 8 of the warm up track, providing massages, recovery sessions and a note taking service. Each shift was 12-8pm and I had five shifts for the Para Athletics and five for the World Championships. Camilla: I worked a lot with the students. I hate to feel like there’s a hierarchy so got really involved and stuck in with the team. I think this offered more opportunities for them to ask more questions about my journey since graduation and also allowed me to suggest some manual therapy technique tips without making the students feel as if they were at uni! All the students were really competent and hard working – they were great to work with and hopefully I can help them out with job or placement opportunities in the future. The media project was to give the students the opportunity to get some hands on manual therapy experience, which also helped toward their course clinical hours. It was really great to work alongside such enthusiastic and hardworking students and it was really nice to be able to share with them my advice and experiences as a graduate (which doesn’t even feel that long ago!) Were you part of a bigger medical team for the Championships or were you mainly based with other Sports Therapists? How was it organised? Camilla: There was a big inter-professional medical team, comprising Sports Therapists, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, GPs, Consultants, Radiologists…the list goes on! This meant it was an amazing opportunity for networking! Do you have an idea of how many athletes you worked with throughout the Championships? Jack: I worked with about 10-15 elite athletes over the two Championships, with massages and recovery sessions in the ice baths and recovery pumps. Camilla: I am unaware of how many patients and athletes we treated overall, but we raised nearly £900 in one week from the media project for Right To Play! Did you get the chance to watch any athletics? Camilla: I got to watch a little bit after my shift. However, they did have a big screen up on the side of the warm up track streaming the live events from inside the stadium, which we could watch from outside the polyclinic alongside the athletes and team members. Jack: Yes, luckily I got to go to one evening session for the Para Athletics and one evening session for the World Championships. What was the atmosphere like, both in the stadium and behind the scenes where you were working? Camilla: The atmosphere was electric inside the stadium, the crowd was incredible. Behind the scenes we were in and around the athletes – the polyclinic was at the side of the warm up track and available for all teams to utilise, which also meant we had the opportunity to watch the world’s greatest athletes warm up and cool down pre and post event. Jack: The atmosphere in the stadium was incredible with such a wide range of people of all ages and backgrounds wanting to be a part of the event. Behind the scenes, it was such a good place to work; the tent was buzzing with the members of the medical team, all working together to make sure everything was running smoothly and that we had a successful Championships, both for individual athletes and as a team. What was the highlight of your experience? Camilla: The highlight for me was the opportunity to meet and work with so many different incredible professionals. Being a part of such a successful medical team was something I felt really proud of. Obviously being able to witness one the world’s greatest athletes, Usain Bolt, run his final races before hanging up his spikes will be a memory I’ll never forget. Jack: My personal highlight of the experience was seeing Usain Bolt walking and warming up around the warm up track; he’s such a charismatic character. What was the biggest challenge for you? Jack: The biggest challenge for me was adapting to the level of sport I was working at. For me, the highest level I had worked at previously was semi-professional football, so this was a big leap and an opportunity to prove myself within an elite sporting environment. Camilla: Probably not getting too distracted by all the excitement of the day’s sporting events! Like I said, the crowd and atmosphere throughout the whole event was just incredible and sometimes all I wanted to do was watch the sporting events unfold, but that wasn’t always possible as I had a job to do! What do you think you have gained from the experience? Camilla: Lifelong memories, lots of professional contacts and feeling proud to be able to say I was part of such an historic sporting event, surrounded by great professionals and athletes! Jack: I have, first of all, gained the experience of working in an elite sporting environment and with fellow professionals who have experience much vaster than mine, learning tips and tricks off them throughout. I have also gained knowledge of how these big events work and are run and have made professional contacts which I can use in the future. Finally, the experience has taught me to trust in my ability more; I have proved myself to be very successful working alongside such great medical professionals and with elite athletes. Camilla, what do you think students gain from volunteering for an event such as this? It helps students to grow more confidence in their abilities and gives them the opportunity to learn from a vast range of professionals, whilst gaining networking contacts for placements or even potential post graduate jobs! And finally, what advice would you give to new Graduates looking for employment? Get involved with as many events, conferences and networking prospects as possible and then follow up on as many opportunities which lead on from it. My first year was probably 40% unpaid work, but a year down the line these helped me get job opportunities I would have only dreamed of applying for as a new graduate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Society Members Laura Dent and Charlotte Stowell spent from the 12th to 22nd July volunteering at the FIL Rathbones Women’s Lacrosse World Cup at Surrey Sports Park in Guilford. Laura, who runs her own clinic, LD Sports Therapy, in Hertfordshire, was joined by her colleague Sports Therapist Charlotte during the World Cup. Laura decided to get in touch with the event organisers, having previously worked at the 2010 Men’s Lacrosse World Cup just after graduating from the University of Kent. She talked to them about her background as a Sports Therapist and they were very keen to make the most of her skills. She said: ‘I was pleased that Sports Therapy was being recognised as such a valuable part of provisions at a World Cup and I was delighted that my practice would represent Sports Therapy on a world stage.’ Laura and Charlotte supplied treatment to a number of different athletes. The first group was the players themselves, particularly members of teams representing countries that could not bring their own medical staff, as funding for Lacrosse is not always readily available. The second group was the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Umpires, who were running during matches just as much as the players. Both players and Umpires alike were finding the ground, although grass, to be hard and were feeling the impact of the matches in their legs. Laura said: ‘Much of the treatment was soft tissue therapy, with players and Umpires asking for massage treatment to ‘flush out’ their legs to feel ready for their next match but there was also  a variety of injuries to treat, including back and shoulder complaints, ankle sprains and calf, hamstring and quad strains.’ Laura and Charlotte treated around 100 athletes and Umpires over the course of the tournament.  Laura said: ‘Working with elite athletes is always enjoyable as they are grateful for any treatment or advice we can offer them.’ While it sometimes varied, a typical day for her consisted of spending three to four hours in the treatment room in the morning, with appointments lasting 30 minutes each. She was then able to watch part of a match and have lunch before spending another couple of hours treating patients in the afternoon. It wasn’t all work and no play for Laura and Charlotte, as they were able to watch the main match of the day at 6pm daily. Laura said: ‘Generally, people were keen to watch the main games and so would avoid booking appointments at the same time.’ This allowed the Therapists to watch some of the most gripping matches of the tournament. Being a lacrosse player, Laura was excited to be able to watch the England bronze medal match. She said: ‘Watching the England bronze match was the most tense I have ever felt watching sport. Knowing some of the players and what it meant to them added to the tension and so I was quite literally on the edge of my seat and cheering manically! I was so delighted England won a medal, something they haven’t done for 12 years; it shows the progress they have made.’ Aside from the experience of watching England win a medal at the World Cup, Laura felt that both she and Charlotte have gained plenty professionally from the event. She said: ‘This will add to my professional experience as it’s so important to challenge yourself and put yourself into new and unknown situations. Not only does it aid your Sports Therapy knowledge, but it challenges you to develop communications, operations and logistics skills, all of which are valuable when you run your own clinic. ‘To have now provided Sports Therapy at two World Cups will establish us as a practice that can work at high level events. It will also make us stand out as a practice that therapists want to come and work at to have that mix of clinical and sporting work.’ LD Sports Therapy is currently looking to recruit two Sports Therapists in Hertfordshire as the clinic has become very busy. The new therapists will be joining the clinic’s existing three Sports Therapists and work in a multidisciplinary team, alongside Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, Nutritionists and Acupuncturists.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]University of Hertfordshire Graduate Laura Clint is the 2017 winner of the inaugural Society of Sports Therapists Student Travelling Scholarship to York University, Toronto, Canada. Laura, who gained a First Class Honours Degree in Sports Therapy, is the first recipient of this award. During her stay in Canada, she will be hosted by the University’s School of Kinesiology and based at the Gorman Shore Athletic Therapy Clinic; a teaching clinic for students on York’s Athletic Therapy Certificate Programme. 22 year old Laura will be arriving at a busy time for both the University sports teams and the Clinic. Pre-season training for the University’s football (grid iron) team, the York Lions, will just be underway and she will also be spending time with the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams along with women’s rugby. Laura has already had a taste of international sport and travel having spent her placement year in Western Sydney, Australia with the Penrith Panthers Rugby League Club, which proved to be a fantastic learning and cultural experience for her. Laura negotiated a tough application process which saw her shortlisted down to a final six Graduates, all of whom had achieved First Class Honours Degrees. An interview process followed, which included on the interview panel, Professor Graham N. Smith, Chairman of the Society of Sports Therapists, Keith Waldon Vice Chair and Athletic Therapist and York University Assistant Professor, Loriann Hynes, who had flown in from Canada especially for the event. Laura came through with flying colours. Hearing her name announced as the winner was a great moment for the young Graduate. Laura said: ‘I think there was just a wave of relief when I heard my name and then a feeling of pure happiness. I am really looking forward to experiencing life in a team environment and then I hope I can build on the experience when I return.’ Laura paid tribute to her Lecturers at the Hatfield based University. She said: ‘I’ve had a great university experience. It was definitely tough at times but my lecturers have been really supportive.’ Laura gave a special mention to Society Director and Principal Lecturer Jenny Jones who had been her main tutor throughout her time at the University. As part of the trip Laura will have the opportunity to participate in a major concussion research project involving York University and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. It will look at the role of active rehabilitation strategies in concussion management; a very hot topic for sport in the UK and rugby in particular. The international study is being funded by the NFL to the tune of $2.6 million. Professor Graham N. Smith said: ‘We are delighted to have partnered with York University on this Travelling Scholarship and Laura is a worthy winner. It will be a great opportunity for her to witness first hand life at what is one of the largest universities in Canada and one with an extensive academic and sporting reputation. ‘I know Laura will be a great ambassador for the Society and the University of Hertfordshire and she will not only have an enjoyable and educational time there but one that we know will help forge strong links for both the Society and York University in the future.'[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Each year The Society of Sports Therapists AGM is held within an educational seminar which is very much member focused. This year was no exception, as presentations were given by three Members, all with completely different perspectives. Professor Graham N. Smith, Chairman of the Society reflects back on what was an excellent seminar from three highly talented individuals. ‘The first presentation by Jameel Shah was an overview and report of his trip to Canada. As the winner of the 2016 Student Travelling Scholarship and a First Class Honours Graduate from the University of East London, Jameel was actually the 8th winner of this specific award and consequently was faced with a difficult presentation to give. As presenting the report is a requirement of winning the award, Jameel was following seven other Members who had previously done similar reports. However, he was able to change the perspective by focusing on experiences that he had undertaken which the majority of those before him had not. These included visiting and meeting with the Canadian Royal Ballet and experiencing the dedicated Athletic Therapy Clinic within York University, in Toronto. Added to his stories of the time spent with colleagues and friends of the Society at the University of Windsor, Jameel’s presentation was warmly appreciated by the Members attending. The next presentation was given by Tom Cresswell, winner of the 2016 Bruce Hobbs Travelling Scholarship Award. Tom, who had actually won this award previously and on that occasion spent time at the US Ski Centre in Colorado, had this time been to visit Bill Knowles at his HPSports facility in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Bill is a highly respected and extremely well known reconditioning and athletic development specialist who is frequently asked to present and consult internationally. His centre regularly receives athletes from a variety of sports from across the globe. These may include Premier League footballers from the UK, elite Australian Rules footballers, as well as NFL and NBA stars from the USA. Tom’s presentation not only told the story of his visit but also included some excellent video clips of Bill in action with his patients. This was something that all the Members attending found both enjoyable and extremely educational. The final speaker, after the formal proceedings of the AGM, was Danielle Ritson. Danielle is a Lecturer in Sports Therapy at the University of Gloucestershire and she presented on some of the research that she had been involved in as a part of her PhD studies. The specific project was one that her University had been invited to participate in looking at neuromuscular readiness to re-perform and injury risk in elite male youth academy footballers. The collaboration was between the University of Gloucestershire, Athletic Club which is also known as Athletic Bilbao from the Basque Country, Spain, and the University of the Basque Country. The work showcased some early data from the international research collaboration. The research developed as a result of an increased injury rate seen at Athletic Club and previous projects completed by Professor Mark De Ste Croix, Professor of Paediatric Sport and Exercise at the University of Gloucestershire, with FIFA, the international governing body of football. As someone who confessed that she knew nothing about football, Danielle was able to record data with an objective perspective rather than that of a football fan. It was also something that many of the Members attending appreciated, especially those who had worked in football themselves. Hopefully Danielle will return to future AGM seminars as her project and research develops. As Chairman of The Society of Sports Therapists, I always enjoy these seminars and feel extremely proud of the Members who present. I feel honoured to have the opportunity to hear them and often wish that more Members were present at what is frequently perceived as a formal necessity. However, the seminar, the quality of the presentations and the knowledge and the enthusiasm of the Members who present, is definitely something of which the Society must be proud. Therefore, thank you to Jameel, Tom and Danielle for a great evening.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sports Trauma is an essential component of a Society accredited Sports Therapy degree programme and so we were delighted to hear about the Sports Therapy students at the University of Hertfordshire who are very fortunate to have access to the University’s state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Centre complete with computerised, mechanical mannequins. Senior Sports Therapy Lecturer Rachel Haskew got in touch and told us about a group of students who undertook a four hour practical within the Simulation Centre, involving four different trauma scenarios. These covered a large amount of the module content, in order to test the students and prepare them for their final practical assessment. The practical session was part of the Sports Trauma Management module for second year students, which was created to cover a number of new trauma management competencies that were put in place by the Society. Having previously used more basic mannequins, the adult ‘advanced life support’ mannequins helped to make each scenario more realistic. The mannequins can be controlled by a computer, which means that specific signs and symptoms can be inputted; the mannequin’s pulse rate and/or breathing can change at any point during the session, giving the students a more life-like experience. The traumas presented to the students included a head injury and a pneumothorax, with each scenario being filmed and streamed to an observation room. This allowed other students to watch how each group dealt with the situation presented to them and both analyse and learn from the approach taken. The students thoroughly enjoyed the session and their feedback was very positive. They felt ‘far more confident in handling a real-life casualty, and significantly more prepared for the exam’, as one student said, while others thought that both the added pressure of being filmed and being able to give and receive feedback on each scenario made it a useful experience. Here’s what some of the students had to say: Luke Woodford The Sim Centre was a great way to practise; the manikins were much more life-like and more realistic so that was good to practise on, nothing bad about it. It gave more stress to the module and situation but that was also a positive as that’ll be what it’ll be like if working at a club. I’d  like to spend more time in there for practise.’ India Wayland I really liked the Sim Centre! Although it was nerve wracking knowing the whole class was watching you on a screen but it was a lot better than standing up in front of everyone and doing it – once you were in the room you forgot the fact people were watching which I found helpful! I was hesitant to do it but so glad I did. For the last scenario I think just having that experience with a more life-like Annie will help in the exam Leslie Smith After having completed the session in the Simulation Centre I feel far more confident in my ability to handle a real-life casualty, and significantly more prepared for the exam. Using the observation room added a great dynamic as well – being able to see every scenario and additionally giving/receiving feedback was very useful. Kate Walker I thought it was a really good thing to be involved in. I reckon being in the centre more would probably be beneficial towards actual real life (even though the exam uses the other mannequins). Philippa Rainbow I thought the Sim room was amazing! I learnt so much from it and I felt it was so beneficial whether it was taking part or watching in the other room. Sean O’Sullivan Definitely benefitted from the added pressure of being filmed; a new environment and the mannequins being more life-like. Plus it was much more real in terms of calling for help and 999. To view an example of one of the scenarios, follow the link below. Please remember that it is a training exercise only and view in the context in which it was created. Scenario 1: Vew Video In this scenario, the students are covering an U18s football match when a 17 year old male suffers a sudden cardiac arrest. The patient is unresponsive and unable to speak. The password to access the video is sportstherapy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Society Member, Claire McMullan, was recently announced a winner of the Women in Business (Northern Ireland) ‘Power of 4 Pitch Award’ for her business concept Health Gainz. Using innovative technology, it aims to resolve patient adherence issues for at-home rehabilitation exercises. The Women in Business awards stemmed from a programme designed to support female entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland, with the ‘Power of 4 Award’ being created to engage women of all backgrounds and ages.  Claire pitched her ground-breaking idea to three judges who chose her to share a £10,000 prize pot with three other aspirational business women, all working in different industries. They based their decision on the viability of the business and how likely it was to succeed. Claire graduated from the University of Huddersfield in 2007 and is based in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, which is where she established her Sports Injury, Nutrition and Massage Clinic, CliniSport. It was through working at CliniSport, along with her final year research into issues with exercise adherence, that Claire gained the knowledge and experience needed to find a solution to the problem. She came up with the idea of Health Gainz, offering patients a ‘virtual therapist’ to guide them through home-based rehabilitation exercises, helping them to complete each exercise set by their therapist. The software, still in its research phase, will use non-contact sensors and a camera to set targets, give feedback on performance and track the patient’s progress; this will be made available to both the therapist and patient. Claire’s share of the prize money will go towards developing and ultimately launching the technology. Editor’s Note Congratulations Claire. Great to see a Graduate Member putting her knowledge and skills to use in such an innovative way and all to ultimately benefit patients. Hope you will keep in touch and let us know how things progress. Picture courtesy of Women In Business (NI).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sports Therapy Graduate Zoe Hughes-Jones from the University of Chichester is the winner of the 2017 Society of Sports Therapists’ Travelling Scholarship to the University of Windsor Canada. Zoe fought off stiff competition to win the coveted award which will see her based for the first 4 weeks at the University of Windsor’s Green Shield Sports Therapy clinic. There she will spend time with Head Athletic Therapist Dave Stoute and his therapy team as well as accompanying University teams in pre-season training and match preparation. The programme will include visits to St Clair College in Windsor to spend time with Athletic Therapist Kim Stroesser, then on to meet the renowned Joey Garland and the Windsor Spitfires ice hockey team; one of the most successful youth teams in Canada. She will also experience life at the highly respected Loaring Physiotherapy Centre in Tecumseh. Kathy Harvie, former Athletic Therapist at the University of Windsor and who travelled to the UK to be part of the interview process, will mentor Zoe during the first part of her stay. Both Kathy and husband John will once again open their home, this time to look after Zoe, the ninth winner of the Windsor award. Zoe will then move on to Toronto for the final part of her stay where she will spend time at York University  with staff and students on the Athletic Therapy programme and visit professional sports teams in the area including baseball, ice-hockey and grid-iron football. The 25 year old Graduate was stunned by her win. She said: ‘I was shocked and thought wow, have I really won? I am so looking forward to the experience and learning new things. I am so grateful for this opportunity.’ Zoe is passionate about sport and football in particular. As part of her Degree course she spent a year on placement at Southampton Football Club during the 2015/16 season working with the U18s and U21s and she now works part-time at the club with the U9s and U16s. Zoe is also fluent in French which has come in useful translating for some of the French players. Zoe also plays football herself and is a member of the Southampton Women’s football team. Professor Graham N. Smith, Chairman of the Society of Sports Therapists, said: ‘This year’s interviews were probably the hardest that we have done since the award was first established as the standard of the five Graduate finalists was so high.  All of them had very special qualities to offer but Zoe had a presence and a personality which gave her an edge on the day. I know that Zoe will be a tremendous ambassador for the University of Chichester and an excellent representative for The Society of Sports Therapists.’ Picture : Zoe (c) is pictured with Professor Graham N. Smith and Kathy Harvie[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Sports Therapy students from Hartpury College recently provided an injury and massage clinic to British Show Jumping on their ‘Step Up to Gold’ programme. Nine horse riders from across the UK were selected to take part in the programme and three Hartpury College students assisted in the clinic. The ‘Step Up to Gold’ programme aims to bring riders who had been jumping at a height of 1.25m to a Gold League Level jump height of 1.40m. It also provides training days for the riders to gain specialist coaching, sports science, strength and conditioning and medical support. Hartpury’s Sports Therapy students were on hand to deliver, in some cases, much needed support for all nine riders. Rachael Connor, a rider taking part in the programme, found the clinic very useful, saying: ‘I often have tightness in my shoulders and occasional lower back pain, but I find it hard to seek treatment due to time restraints and being so busy with my horses. Being about to get some treatment at these training days is really useful and I now feel a lot looser and it relieved my pain.’ First Year student Grace Jeffrey and Second Year students Aniel Joaniquet-Tukianien and Sophie Kalpin, who all volunteered their help, have equestrian backgrounds so understand the needs of the riders. Grace said: ‘I really enjoyed the day, gaining experience outside the classroom and interacting with high level equestrian athletes. It was interesting to find out what daily demands the riders have; one of the riders said she was riding eight horses a day. It then became clear to me why these athletes are complaining of tightness and they have no time to see anyone to help them.’ The day was a great success and feedback from both riders and students was very positive. Senior Lecturer Hollie Bailey thought that it was ‘good to see that the rider is being acknowledged as an athlete and it’s not all about the horse.’ Hartpury College is launching a new MSci Sports Therapy (Equestrian) in September 2017, and will be the first of its kind in the UK. It will allow students to cover injury management and rehabilitation of mainstream sports as well as the individual specific requirements of an equestrian athlete. Follow the link below to read more about the programme Accredited MSc Courses Picture 1: Hollie Bailey, Grace Jeffrey, Nicki Bates, Guy Elson, Sophie Kalpin, Aniel Joaniquet-Tukianien. Picture 2: Sophie Kalpin.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Abbie Williams is a Graduate of the University of Gloucestershire and a very determined young woman. She has spent the last year working at AFC Bournemouth of the Premier League and it has been an immensely positive experience for her. Abbie, why did you decide on Sports Therapy and why Gloucestershire? Sports Therapy was a natural progression for me, having always wanted to work in a hands-on job. I knew for a while I wanted to do something rehab and sports based. The course at the University of Gloucestershire offers the best mix of practical hands on learning with a vital theoretical underpinning. The lecturing team were amazing and they were the ones who helped me make my decision to attend Gloucestershire to complete my Sports Therapy degree. How did the internship come about? The Internship was advertised through my University. It was a no brainer for me to apply having gained the majority of my undergraduate experience in football. I knew having graduated I wanted to be in an immersive environment where I could learn every day. I applied, had an interview and after a nervous wait, I was offered the position. Do you live near Bournemouth? Yes, I come from Weymouth which is about 1 hour from Bournemouth. However, in order to completely commit to the Internship, I moved to Bournemouth with the club’s support. Were you working with Academy or Senior players or both? I was primarily working with the first team on a daily basis but I also spent some time with both the Academy and under 23’s. Can you tell us about what you did on a day to day basis? Every day would vary. Generally, we would set up and help with readiness to train screening, prehab as well as plenty of massage work. Of course, being an intern comes with its fair share of housekeeping and maintenance jobs like keeping the treatment room and hydro pool clean and tidy. We also got to work alongside the senior physios and Sports Therapists as they went through rehab programs with the injured players. We attended every home game and would assist with work on match days. How long were you there for? I was there for the whole of the 2016-2017 Season (June-May). Is it what you expected? Overall, I am incredibly grateful for the experience I have been able to gain at AFC Bournemouth, and I feel I have developed so much as a therapist over the last year. The whole medical team were great mentors to me and helped me improve in all aspects of my practical and theoretical knowledge. Steve Hard, the Head Physiotherapist who initially trained as a Sports therapist and it was great to have his guidance, but also an eye opener to see that there is plenty of respect for Sports Therapists in top flight football. Nothing prepares you for being thrown into the fast pace of professional sport, but it is what I expected and more. It has been a real privilege to spend a season there and the experience I have gained has been vital for my professional development Do you want to work in football longer term? I would love to work in football. However, at the moment I am looking forward to learning and experiencing new sports and seeing what different injuries occur. I want to continue to learn and develop and gain exposure in as many sports as possible. For example I have worked with cyclists, sailors, marathon runners, iron man competitors and within American football. What advice do you have for students just graduating? My main piece of advice is to get as much experience as you can! Don’t be afraid to get stuck in, work for free and put yourself out there. Get an internship if you think it is the right thing for you. As a graduate, you have to make contacts through work experience and often these contacts can materialise into jobs. It’s tough, put in the hard work and you will get the results. What are your next steps after completing your internship? I am looking forward to having a mini break from the intensity of the season. However, I will soon be starting a job in a private clinic, alongside some work in professional and semi-professional sport. Editor’s Note Abbie spoke to the Society because she wanted other Graduates and Student Members to know what is possible. She said: ‘I just wanted say that it has been very important for me to be able to share what I did at AFC Bournemouth to encourage other Undergraduate and Graduate Sports Therapists to step out and gain experience. But, also to show that Sports Therapy is becoming more and more recognised. As a newly graduated therapist I think it’s important that we all start sharing our experiences to help each other progress in the profession.'[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]