News

The Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Society of Sports Therapists (The SST) are pleased to announce that Dr Christopher Holland and Keith Waldon have been elected as their new Chair and Vice Chair. Christopher is Head of Department for Sport Management, Therapy and Exercise at the University of Worcester and previously held the role of Vice Chair of The SST. Stepping up to take over the position of Chair, Christopher said: “I am truly delighted to be elected as Chair. I am passionate about serving our Society and its members, and I look forward to working to achieve our shared goals and aspirations. I hope to continue the work that has seen our Society become a more forward-thinking organisation, embracing innovation and progress for the benefit of all our members.” Christopher has already played a key role in major developments for The SST, including the appointments of CEO Simon Bowen and Head of Education Kate Williams, and in spearheading the new Research and Scholarship Task Team, on which he now leads. He himself has an active research portfolio that is internationally recognised. In supporting Christopher and the Board of Directors, Keith, the CEO of Up and Running Sports Injury Clinics in Portsmouth, will be able to call on his wealth of knowledge and experience with The SST. Keith was a major driving force in setting up the Universities and Colleges degree programme and he has mentored and employed many SST Graduate Members. Keith is a member of the Industry Recognition Task Team and his passion for The SST and Statutory Regulation for Sports Therapists in particular, remains as strong as ever. He said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been voted as Vice Chair by the Board of Directors. It is a position which gives me opportunities to use my contacts and knowledge of all things Sports Therapy. I look forward to serving The SST and our Members, to enhance the standing and opportunities for advancement of our profession”. After a year of transition, both Christopher and Keith recognise that there is much work to be done and they are both ambitious to work more closely with our Members, students, education partners and stakeholders. Now with a CEO and Head of Education in place to support the Board, together with the newly founded Task Teams and our experienced Head Office Staff, the future is looking bright. Dr Christopher Holland                                       Keith Waldon

Lord Darzi’s emphasis on patient-centered care, improved access to services, and integration of health professionals resonates strongly with our own values and mission. We are particularly encouraged by the report’s focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, which highlights the vital role that all healthcare professionals, including sports therapists, play in promoting injury prevention, rehabilitation, and overall physical well-being. In many respects, the report strengthens the need for statutory regulation of GRADUATE SPORTS THERAPISTS and we are working to achieve this with the new Government. We look forward to working in alignment with the recommendations put forward in this report to continue contributing to a healthier, more active society. Together, we can build a future where access to high-quality healthcare services, including sports therapy, is expanded and the health and wellness of all individuals are prioritised.    

The Society of Sports Therapists (The SST) is proud to announce Transplant Sport as its official partner charity for 2024/2025, together with exciting news of a World Transplant Games Travelling Scholarship. The focus of the sponsorship will continue to be the Transplant Sport Therapy Team. Led by SST Honorary Members Alison Bloxham and Sheila Leddington Wright, they have opened the door to both SST Graduate Sports Therapists and students and a world of very special experience working with transplantees. In 2023, Patrick Gaffey was the winner of The SST, Transplant Sport Travelling Scholarship to the World Transplant Games in Australia and what an amazing time he had. 2025 sees the Games closer to home in Dresden Germany, setting the stage for a double opportunity for both a Member and Student, not only to make the overseas trip, but also to participate in the 2025 British Transplant Games. SST CEO Simon Bowen who recently attended the British Transplant Games in Nottingham said: ‘This was my first experience of the British Transplant Games and I was in awe of the transplantees and the tireless work of the therapy team. I am delighted that The SST is able to continue this support and that for the first time, we are able to offer this opportunity to both a Graduate and Student Member.’     (The application process for The SST, Transplant Sport Travelling Scholarship is now closed).  

The Society of Sports Therapists (The SST) is delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Bowen as the new Chief Executive. Simon brings with him a wealth of experience and commercial acumen gained from senior leadership roles held across various high profile professional bodies. These included the Royal College of General Practitioners, the British Psychological Society and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. His most recent role before joining The SST was as Director of Membership at the Chartered College of Teaching. Simon’s work within the charitable bodies sector has consistently focused on the development and implementation of membership engagement strategies, global expansion and partnerships.  For SST Chair Michael Cole, the appointment comes at a time of significant strategic development for the organisation and both he and the Board of Directors will be looking to Simon to play a pivotal role. He said:  “During selection, the Board was especially impressed by Simon’s professional courage and leadership acumen; Simon shares the Board’s collective passion for our membership, and for greater professional recognition, and we are certain he will work well with the Board to ensure The SST not only remains the leading professional body but advances us further in alignment with our Vision, Mission and Values. As such, the Board is incredibly excited to see The SST develop under Simon’s operational leadership, with his experience, skills and enthusiasm driving us forward to continue the modernisation that, as Chair, I have been so proactive and committed in foregrounding.” Simon is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). He also has a postgraduate Diploma in Management and an MBA from Warwick Business School. He said: “I’m delighted to be joining The Society of Sports Therapists. Our role to protect the interests of Members, Students and the Public has never been more important and I look forward to working with colleagues, the Board of Directors, our education partners and the collective membership in advancing our aims and ambitions for the profession.” 

The Society of Sports Therapists (SST) is delighted to announce that our Chair, Michael Cole, has been appointed to the role of Principal Teaching Fellow in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) at Imperial College London, a university ranked 6th globally in the QS World Rankings. As well as enhancing the work already being done at Imperial, through his knowledge and passion for EDI in higher education and healthcare, Michael’s position provides a platform towards generating greater recognition and understanding of Sports and Exercise Therapy across the health and medicine landscape in the UK. We caught up with Michael to talk to him about his new role and what it means to both himself and the SST. Q: What are you most excited about in your new role? A: Firstly, I am delighted to be a Principal Teaching Fellow in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion [EDI] at Imperial College, a University with great staff and students. I am especially excited to use my knowledge and passion for EDI in higher education and healthcare to build upon the great work already being done at Imperial and to be leading and collaborating on enhancements and developments that benefit the staff, and the medical students and the communities they serve. Q: How did you come to embark on a role in EDI in a medical school? A: It’s an interesting and varied journey, and I hope the variety of experiences enhance my impact at Imperial. Having had 20 years working across both clinical MSK therapy (in elite sport, private practice, and TV/film) and education (as a BSc Sports Therapy Course Leader, and Quality Assurer), in 2011 I also began research into healthcare-pedagogy inequalities during postgraduate study at Loughborough University. By 2018 this had evolved into PhD research, and I had begun various consultancies with colleagues and universities on Higher Education projects aimed at developing inclusivity and reducing and eradicating inequality gaps. Supporting the professional development of educators and practitioners across the medicine and healthcare sectors, including Graduate Sports Therapists and trainee doctors, is now not only my passion, but also – I am proud to say – my day job (though I do still enjoy being clinically active one day per week!). Q: How will this appointment impact the SST? A: I am certain that my position at Imperial is mutually beneficial to the SST, with the experiences gained and networks developed helpful to both my role as Director and Chair, and another positive nudge towards the greater recognition and understanding of Sports and Exercise Therapy across the health and medicine landscape in the UK and globally. As a recent example, just the other day it was great to represent the SST by attending Parliament for the April launch of ARMA’s ‘Act Now: Musculoskeletal Health Inequalities and Deprivation’ report, and the very next day I was able to share the report’s findings and recommendations with both Imperial College London as well as with the SST’s new Head of Education for dissemination to our accredited universities. Q: Tell us about the department you will be working in? A: The role of Principal Teaching Fellow in EDI is actually a brand new one, and the first of its kind in the Undergraduate Primary Care Unit [UPCE] at Imperial College. Imperial’s UPCE is one of the UK’s largest teams of its kind, with an exemplary international reputation for curricular innovation in the Department of Primary Care and Public Health, within the School of Public Health (SPH) in the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London. Academic General Practice is a major contributor to teaching within the Faculty of Medicine, and the UPCE works with over 500 GPs to deliver teaching across multiple clinical placements. Q: Why is Academic General Practice so important? A: General Practice is a diverse, flexible, innovative and continually evolving environment that rapidly adapts to technological advances, new challenges and fresh opportunities. Undergraduate GP teaching must constantly develop and adapt to keep in step with such changes and to ensure the continued availability and validity of training experience that is equitable and inclusive, taking account of diverse student bodies, staff and patient populations. Q: What do you hope to achieve in your new role? A: I am working closely with the Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) to lead development and implementation of best practice Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles across the undergraduate primary care curriculum and contribute to development and implementation of ICSM strategy relating to EDI. Again, the professional cross-pollination of knowledge-exchange via interdisciplinary practice is something I am passionate about and have engaged in for many years, which fits nicely with the General Medical Council’s (GMC) Professional Capabilities Framework (Domain 8) which states that ‘doctors in training must demonstrate that they can promote and participate in interprofessional learning’. As such my experience and roles within EDI across musculoskeletal sports and exercise medicine enhances my role; for example, earlier this year I represented the SST at The Future of Musculoskeletal (MSK) Care event, organised by NHS England and The Joint DHSC DWP Work & Health Directorate. Contributing to and listening to discussions on Innovation and Emergent Practice in MSK care ensured I could bring the SST’s presence and innovations to industry whilst also learning and networking, and taking this all back to share with both the SST’s Board and CEO, and colleagues at Imperial College. Conclusion: Michael’s appointment as Principal Teaching Fellow in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at Imperial College London represents a significant achievement for our society, helping to elevate our visibility, enhance collaboration opportunities, and empowers us to actively shape education and practice in MSK therapy with a focus on inclusivity and equity. This affiliation strengthens our commitment to promoting excellence and diversity within the profession. The SST looks forward to seeing more of the important work Michael is carrying out with colleagues at Imperial College, and we wish him all the best!

As the newest director on the Board, it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to open this newsletter, to update you on some of the activities that The SST has undertaken, and tell you about some of the opportunities coming up where YOU can get involved. A new marketing agency has been appointed to take The SST’s communications strategy to the next level and, alongside this, work is in its final stages of development for a new website. This will not only help improve engagement for Members but also do much to help modernise processes for our office staff. The SST was recently in attendance at the ‘Designing the Future of MSK Care’ event organised by the Horizons NHS Commissioning Support Unit. The SST engaged productively with national industry and organisation leads and representatives, discussing and advising on how Graduate Sports Therapists are part of the solution for MSK care in the UK, and how greater integration, collaboration and partnerships are the way forward. Watch this space for updates on developments and outcomes. In previous correspondence we mentioned getting involved with our Task Teams. This is a great way to be at the forefront of SST developments, to keep up to date with what The SST is currently working on behind the scenes and a real opportunity to express your opinions and contribute to the further development of The SST. My passion lies in elevating the discipline of Sports Therapy and I have made it my mission to help achieve Statutory Regulation for Sports Therapists. If this is your passion, why not reach out and see how you can become a part of our Industry Recognition Task Team? Finally, make sure to keep an eye on your inbox, as I will be sending out next month a Directors’ Update, with more detail on the different Task Teams, what each is looking to achieve and how you can get involved. Best wishes Jenie Owens

SST Director Jenie Owens and University and College Liaison Task Team Vice Chair, Adam Gaunt, have both received top awards from community healthcare services provider Connect Health, at a glittering event, held recently at the Hilton Bankside, London. Adam took the national award for ‘Leader of the Year,’ and similarly Jenie took the top accolade in the category, ‘Living Our Values – People Centred.’ The annual awards recognise a host of different qualities as well as employee skills and performance, and the whole workforce is given the opportunity to vote. Jenie, a Graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, joined Connect Health in 2022 and has swiftly risen through the ranks becoming a Team Leader in 2023. While her team is spread out geographically, Jenie has been creative in bringing them closer together. She was recognised for her team building skills, not only through encouraging learning across sites but also putting a smile on colleagues’ faces through marking celebrations, organising events and creating fun projects and competitions. Adam is passionate about rehabilitation and he is clearly bringing some of the skills and knowledge he used in his former role at Hartpury University to the NHS. Working in Witney, Oxfordshire, he has been recognised for the empathy he has with his colleagues, his professionalism and approachability, creating a culture of fun and space for self-expression, while maintaining respect and high standards. He was praised for his caring approach towards wellbeing as well as performance; a great mentor and true team player. Adam has worked hard to give patients gym access for their rehabilitation; something that fits readily into the Government’s newly named, MSK Physical Activity Hubs. He understands that rehab takes time and one size does not fit all. Adam challenges his colleagues to find the optimal plan for each individual patient, encouraging therapists to move away from the model if it doesn’t fit the patient. Connect Health has been a driving force in recognising the talents of The SST’s Graduate Sports Therapists. It was an early identifier of skills and abilities as opposed to titles and has brought together several professions under the MSK Clinician banner. The Connect Health management team has also been instrumental in developing career pathways for Graduate Sports Therapists. Jenie and Adam are passionate about Sports Therapy and are both championing the setting up of SST student placements. While in its early stages, the project offers great opportunities for students, wishing to work in an NHS clinical setting, to get a foot on the Sports Therapy career ladder. So, what of the future for these aspiring young therapists? Jenie said: ‘I love the clinical side providing patient care but realise that I cannot do this forever. I also suffer from time to time with fatigue as I have auto immune issues. Longer term, I will look at a possible managerial role in operations or with our Service Team.’ Adam, who also runs his own private clinic, Adam Gaunt Sports Therapy, is keen to progress his career with Connect Health but in a different direction to Jenie. He said: ‘Our Tier 1 has a clinical focus and rather than progressing to Tier 2, which is more triage, referral and complex cases, Tier 1 is more rehabilitation and working with the patients to manage their conditions. ‘I would like to try and influence policy at Tier One by developing the rehabilitation role and pushing the boundaries– creating projects around rehab, with more goal setting, objective measures, benchmarking and quality testing.’ We wish them both every success for the future.

Society Member Nick Mulryan, one of the founder members of the Communications Group is stepping down after 12 years’ service. Nick, who has multiple sensory impairments, has recently suffered some further setbacks with his vision and has been facing an uphill battle to save the limited sight that he has. Despite all the issues associated with his health, Nick has always made sterling efforts to make it to meetings, accompanied by his guide dog. First there was Judy (the former Blue Peter dog), followed by Comfort and now Willmott – all three immaculately behaved, as they sat in meetings, nestled under the desk next to Nick. Over the years, there has been a number of different members and Chairs of the Comms group and Nick has been a constant presence. He attended the very first meeting held in Luton in 2012 along with fellow members, Kristian Weaver, Ed Pratt, Sophie Vowden, and former SST Chair, Professor Graham Smith. The Comms Group has now taken on a new mantle as the Events Task Team and, led by current Chair Hayley Clarke, will focus on events, webinars etc. Nick has a congenital disorder, Axenfeld Rieger but he has never let his disability hold him back, always curious to understand and keen to learn about his condition from some of the top eye consultants from across the world.  In recent weeks he has been able to self-support as a result of his Sports Therapy background. Because of his training, his consultant felt sufficiently happy to send Nick for specialist training in Birmingham to learn how to monitor his intraocular eye pressure; vital in keeping his condition stable. Nick has become a role model for other therapists with disabilities, with students and newly qualified therapists, from various disciplines, wanting to visit and speak and learn from his knowledge and experience. Nick has support in his clinic in the form of Gordon, who helps with the administration and writing; allowing him to get on with assessments. Looking back 50 year old Nick said: ‘I didn’t expect to end up helping so many people. If somebody said to me thirty years ago that you would be doing this, I would have said no way.’ Although Nick is stepping down from the group, he said: ‘It is so important we continue promoting The SST, working with groups and making it more accessible for the visually impaired or people with hearing loss. If people want to do it, they actually can do it, provided they can meet all the competencies. You have to be realistic as well. People are afraid of discriminating against disabled people but it also comes down to the person as well. Can you actually do the work that is expected of you because, at the end of the day you are dealing with a person’s health and wellbeing and injured tissue. You have to be on the ball with it and you have to have confidence as well.’ Editor’s Notes The SST thanks Nick for his dedication over the years, and we wish him all the best in dealing with his health challenges. Nick has agreed to offer his support and advice to The SST on disabilities particularly around sight and hearing loss. You can read more about Nick and his latest Guide Dog. Willmott, here Guide Dog Willmott Takes on New Role with Society Member Nick Mulryan – The Society of Sports Therapists (thesst.org)

Hello, It’s been a busy couple of weeks with our Member Forums and Therapy Expo on the 22nd and 23rd November. I would like to extend a huge thank you to Thomas Hames, Michelle Evans, Mike Hine, Kristian Weaver, Kirsty Hopgood, Peter Thain, Jen Wilson and Andy Frampton taking time to attend the event and speak at the Expo.  It was also great to meet some of our Members who attended, and to network with everyone.  I had the pleasure of meeting the MSK Partnerships two co-Chairs Chris Mercer and Dr Sharon Chan-Braddock, along with Founder Amanda Hensman-Crook, and I am delighted to announce that we have joined the partnership.  To find out more about what the Partnership does, have a look at their website https://www.mskpg.co.uk It was also an opportunity to reconnect with some of our  SST Extra partners and  Industry partners, such as Connect Health, and look at ways we can develop the opportunities for you, further. We also held two Member Forums, a first for The SST.  This was an opportunity for us to talk about all the great things we are working on and planning, to develop and grow the Society but in a way that meets your needs as our Members. Some of the areas that we covered are; introducing some new membership grades to ensure we are supporting our HEI partners and also recognising impact and contribution to the Sports Therapy profession; expanding the groups and renaming them Task Teams to include an ‘Industry and Recognition’ Task Team that focuses on developing partnerships, the work we already do with other member organisations and ensuring that those who work in private clinics are recognised more by the Society; there will be a renewed focus on ‘Research and Scholarships’, a new Task Team created too, with a budget set aside for those who want to do further research, post-graduate study, or travel for knowledge and experience.  Members will be able to put forward applications to ‘bid’ for the money;  we are renewing the website to ensure a better membership experience; renewing CPD, what we offer and how it is recorded. I also want to acknowledge our team based in Glasgow, to thank them for the work that they do.  It is a busy office and many of you may see their names through emails but I’d like to say a little bit about them so you can put a ‘face to the name’! Let me introduce you: Claire Robertson, our Office Manager, Claire has been with us from quite early on in the life of The SST and is likely to be the one you speak to when you call us, answer queries and processing your renewals. Lynsey Mallon, who is our Education Administrator.  If you work in one of our HEIs, you will definitely have spoken or had some communication with Lynsey.  She organises everything we do on the that side of the business. Maureen Brown, Maureen joined us nearly two years ago as our Financial Administrator.  She ensures that we run smoothly from a financial point of view. Finally, we have our newest member of the team, Jennifer Jones.  Jennifer joined us in September as an Administration Officer, providing support in the office where needed; a welcome addition to the team. As we head towards the close of 2023, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks, to you, our Members.  Your continued support is very much appreciated, and I look forward to meeting many more of you in 2024.  As always, should you wish to send me any feedback, I am more than happy to receive it. Sally Steadman CEO

Therapy Expo 2023 once again lived up to expectations, delivering high quality talks and a great trade show, with huge crowds in attendance. SST members featured in six of those sessions, all showcasing their skills and knowledge to packed audiences. Mike Hine, Head of Medical Performance, at 1st division club Port Vale FC., kicked off Day One for the Society with ‘Rehabilitation, recovery and return to performance in an MDT environment.’ Always the consummate professional, Mike gave a great insight into the different components that come into play when working with injured players. He highlighted the importance of teamwork and of having a clear understanding of the different roles in the department in order to get the best out of everyone. A tremendous start for the SST team! SST Director Tom Hames and Society Member Michelle Evans, former Coventry University lecturing colleagues, took to the stage next and it was standing room only. Their topic ’Incorporating Strength and Conditioning’ clearly hit the mark. For Society Members in the audience, it provided the recognition that, with Sports Science underpinning their degrees, they have the skills and knowledge to incorporate Strength and Conditioning principles with rehabilitation strategies in order to create a holistic approach to recovery. The award for leaving their audience spellbound must surely go to Kirsty Hopgood and Kristian Weaver for ‘Therapy and Cancer – a patient and therapist perspective.’ Kirsty went from an ankle sprain in 2016 to cancer patient in 2019 with the diagnosis of an osteosarcoma in her fibula. Kirsty took the audience through her journey to date, interspersed with insightful questioning from her friend and former Edge Hill University work colleague, Kristian Weaver. Kirsty was able to deliver a stunning review including her treatment and rehabilitation, highlighting red flags and the fact that mechanisms of injury may not always match the signs and symptoms. Their message: ‘Be persistent and always advocate for your patient.’ While Dr Peter Thain’s talk was entitled ‘Chill Out,’ we always thought it might raise a few temperatures. Controversy had raged on social media as to the use of ice in acute injury management, likely fuelled by an editorial in BJSM  which suggested avoiding ice altogether. Peter remained coolness personified and provided a hugely thought-provoking session for all in attendance, critically discussing the evidence for the use of cryotherapy today. ‘A holistic approach to rehabilitation, health and wellbeing’ was the topic under discussion for SST Director Dr Jen Wilson. Jen presented on the five key pillars of health (physical activity, sleep, nutrition, mental health and community) and how Sports Therapists can influence these factors during rehabilitation. Jen also discussed the impact of reduced physical activity and health inequality on long term health, reminding therapists that their role in clinic is to not only treat the injury but also facilitate long term health behaviour to promote healthy ageing.  A great, topical session leaving the audience with much to think about. Women’s football still remains one of the fastest growing female sports, and with so many high profile women footballers suffering ACL injuries, it was no surprise that there was great interest in Andy Frampton’s talk; ‘Knee injuries in football – perspectives from ten years in the women’s game.’ Andy was able to provide great insight into working with female footballers, discussed injury risk  and included a model for knee injury risk reduction and management, together with strategies to protect and rehabilitate the knee. Despite getting late into the afternoon of day 2, this hugely engaging talk proved a real hit. The Expo proved a great opportunity for Members to attend and  to catch up with our SST partners and industry colleagues. Racquel Sinclair (right), Maria Westwell (middle), Mike Hine (right) We were delighted to give away free tickets to a number of SST Members to enable them to attend the Expo, some for the first time. We caught up with Racquel Sinclair after Mike Hine’s presentation. UEL Graduate Racquel was delighted to have a chat with Mike and SST member Maria Westwell. Events such as this are a great opportunity to network as well enjoy the learning experience. Our thanks to Maria Westwell and Hayley Clarke from the Comms team for their great work on social media. ******* If you were at Therapy Expo drop us a note to let us know what you thought of it – admin@thesst.org