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We recently heard from Sara Gray, Sport and Exercise Therapy Lecturer at the University of South Wales, about Saffron, one of her third year students who is completing her placement with Cardiff Rugby’s first team.   Working in sport can take you to some exciting places and Saffron’s experience was no exception. She was given the opportunity to travel to Zebre (Italy) last weekend, for Cardiff Rugby’s, ‘United Rugby Championship’* match. Sara takes up the story: ‘Although the match finished with a nail-biting draw, there was nothing average about the experience for Saffron.  She travelled as part of the medical team alongside the team Doctor and Physiotherapists and formed part of the multidisciplinary team for the fixture. Saffron’s responsibilities began prior to leaving, ensuring all medical supplies and recovery modalities were packed within the travel kit. After travelling it was full steam ahead.  She assisted with player treatment the night before the match, ensured all medical kit required was there, travelled from the hotel to the ground on the day of the fixture, and assisted with pre-match taping and strapping. During the game, Saffron monitored the Hawkeye with the team doctor, feeding back what was happening on the pitch to the other therapists running on. She recalled a nasty head collision which was missed by the opposition team. With her position, Saffron was able to recognise this, play back the mechanism and feedback to the opposition doctor, for the player to have a head injury assessment. Saffron’s work didn’t stop at the final whistle, as she focussed on post-match recovery, using cryotherapy modalities such as GameReady. After a well-earned recovery day, Saffron made sure she was there to follow-up with assessments for any players that needed it upon their return to UK soil on the Monday. Saffron said of the experience: ‘It was brilliant, busy, but I really enjoyed it and I didn’t mind the travelling!’. Saffron’s experience is an excellent example of how varied a Sport and Exercise Therapist’s role within a multidisciplinary team can be, and a great taste for what’s to come after graduation, when working in industry! *‘The United Rugby Championship is a global club rugby league where 16 teams from five powerhouse nations compete across two hemispheres to become the URC champion. The URC is made up of four teams from Ireland, four from South Africa, four from Wales, two from Italy and two from Scotland.’ About URC – United Rugby Championship

Why can only 20% of black children and only 5% of black adults in England swim? SST Member Tyrone Cassius, Chair of the NEEDSs group, went along to a special screening of Ed Accura’s film ‘Blacks Can’t Swim: Rewind’ at the University of East London, to find out more and raise awareness of the issue. Renowned producer Accura, co-founder of the Black Swimming Association (BSA), explores the stigmas and stereotypes which have helped shape the narrative and thought processes as to why a disproportionate number of people from African, Caribbean and Asian heritage in England do not swim.  The figures for Asian adults and children are not much better; 93% of adults and  78% of children do not swim and according to the WHO, people from ethnic minorities are at increased risk of drowning. The screening and Q & A with Accura, who attended the session in person, was laid on to celebrate the arrival of a pop-up swimming pool on the Docklands Campus, designed to encourage students and staff to learn to swim or swim for health and fitness. Tyrone, who also runs Specifeye, a London based health and wellbeing clinic, said: “The film deals with some of the myths associated with Black and Asian people. Parents talk about their relationship with water and the myths they grew up with such as having dense bones so it’s harder to float, swimming not being good for black hair because of the chlorine and black people not being built for swimming.’ Two dramatised stories lie at the heart of the film with two 15-year-olds Tyra and Javell facing different swimming related issues; Tyra is training to be an elite swimmer but quits and Javell has a dream to join the marines but a requirement for joining is being able to swim – he can’t. Tyrone, said: ‘The Q & A which followed, brought together a diverse group of staff, students and visitors  and it was an opportunity to talk about our own experiences. ‘One of the big things that came up which we all identified with, was about culture; parents, grandparents and a history of them not swimming. They don’t swim therefore their child doesn’t swim and it becomes a cycle.’ One of Accura’s barriers to learning to swim, he learned in his fifties, was a fear factor, but not for himself. Tyrone explained: ‘Quite a few of us in the discussion were parents ourselves so we could relate and share our own experiences. If we are uncomfortable around water, we don’t want our children around water, because we can’t help them, so no-one swims. ‘Our fear of something negative happening stops us letting the next generation learn how to swim and that came up a lot. That was one of Ed’s barriers.’ Another issue highlighted, according to Tyrone, is the lack of role models: ‘We talk about the things we see and hear about. We don’t see black people swimming and competing at a high level. We do see footballers and athletes and musicians so we go towards them,’ The BSA is forging strong links with organisations such as the RNLI, Swim England and schools, communities and local councils to raise awareness. They are also engaging ambassadors such as Alice Dearing, one of GB’s leading open water swimmers. For Tyrone being a father with three young daughters has encouraged him to learn to swim. He said: ‘If I can’t swim and my child then gets into issues in the water, I can’t save them. It’s important to learn and not to say I can’t swim, so that no-one swims. We have to change the narrative.’ This makes parents as well as children a prime target for encouragement. ‘It sounds obvious but if more communities swim, more people get involved in it and more opportunities come from it. ‘It’s about not being afraid to have the conversation.’ said Tyrone As Members what can you do to change the narrative? View the trailer here: Blacks Can’t Swim REWIND The Official Trailer – YouTube

The Board of Directors and CEO of The Society of Sports Therapists (The SST) are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Cole as its new Chair and Dr Christopher Holland as Vice Chair. Michael has been a Member of The SST for 23 years, working in private clinical practice, academia and in elite sport with national and international athletes from swimming and football and with major multi-national corporate clients in the screen industry. He is a Senior Lecturer at the University of East London and has been recognised for his contribution to sports pedagogy and scholar-activism with various publications and awards, including Advance HE Principal Fellowship, and National Teaching Fellowship in 2020. Michael has also been a driving force behind the formation of the Network for Engagement in Equity, Diversity & Social-Structural Strategy (NEEDSs); a first for The SST. He is also studying for his PhD in the area of healthcare justice in education. Newly elected Vice Chair, Dr Christopher Holland is a Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for the MSci and BSc programmes at the University of Worcester and has a strong background in both sport and education. Currently working with elite level Basketball including in the British Wheelchair Basketball Women’s Premier League, Christopher has also played professional football for Bournemouth, Bristol City and Exeter City. Christopher has worked in Higher Education for over 17 years and has a particular interest in research with an active portfolio that is internationally recognised. While The SST is noted for its high standards in education and clinical practice, Christopher is keen to further develop the area of research by heading up a new ‘SST Research, Funding and Scholarship Group.’ More details will follow in due course. With a new vision to modernise the Society and create new opportunities for Members to grow and develop, Michael, in his role as Chair, is looking forward to meeting Members and stakeholders through a number of online forums. He said: ‘It is important that we listen to and engage with our Members and stakeholders. This is a key time for growth and development. ‘As a professional body we will continue to work closely with our Higher Education partners to further raise standards. Our work with industry and government, driving forward the MSK message of skills and knowledge before professional title, and so opening up new career opportunities for our Members, is also high on our agenda. ‘I very much look forward to meeting Members and partners, hearing your thoughts and ideas and sharing our plans for the future.’ Members Forum 15th November 2023 10am and 4pm Meet online with SST Chair Michael Cole and CEO Sally Steadman. To sign up, click here: https://forms.office.com/e/LGRx4PrBJP

Society Member Gus Muncaster, a BSc and Masters Graduate from UCLaN clearly has an affinity for his alma mater. Just a few months ago, he took time out of his busy schedule with Injury Mechanics in Bolton, where he is a Director, to travel with UCLan Sports Therapy students and staff to the Nat West International Island Games in Guernsey. The Island Games is a biannual event with 24 island teams from across the world, taking part. UCLan’s involvement with the Games dates back to 2019 when the university first signed a memorandum of understanding with Gibraltar Island Games 2019 Ltd to provide a range of medical services.* Covid put paid to the Games taking place in 2021 with the implementation of strict travel restrictions and quarantine rules for Guernsey, but with the return of the event, the UCLan team has once again picked up the mantle. In July of this year, 14 Sports Therapy students and one physiotherapy student, together with Sports Therapy lecturer Pieter Crossley, Sport and Health Sciences Lecturer Rob Hamilton and Gus, travelled to Guernsey for the Games. Gus said: ‘I had been invited to support Rob and Pieter with the students and was delighted to do so. ‘Each day we divided the students into teams and they had the opportunity to work at different events like cycling, tennis, badminton and athletics. There are 14 sports in all and over two thousand competitors took part. ‘Days were extremely long, sometimes sixteen or seventeen hours, with the team providing pre and post event support and pitch-side first aid. Some of the teams had their own therapists but as the week went on, the athletes all knew who we were.’ Gus felt the students had a really good underlying knowledge and the experience allowed them to grow in confidence. Most of the students were just 19-20 years old, so the chance to work with experienced therapists was a great benefit: Their Lecturer Pieter Crossley said: ‘The Games proved to be a transformative experience. They offered a unique platform for practical learning and real-world application of sports therapy techniques. Students had the opportunity to work alongside seasoned professionals, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. The students were also able to work on their softer skills. Pieter continued: ‘The event also fostered teamwork, communication, and adaptability skills among the UCLan cohort. They witnessed firsthand the challenges and dynamics of managing athletes in a high-pressure environment.’ And it wasn’t just the students who benefitted. The Games provided Gus with the opportunity to reflect on his own career path. He said: ‘It was interesting to think about the journey I had been on in the 14 years since undertaking my BSc and now my Masters and it was good to have the chance to engage with other professionals and share knowledge.’ Pieter said: ‘The Games provided a networking opportunity for staff, facilitating collaborations and knowledge sharing with other experts in the field. Overall, the Island Games in Guernsey enriched the educational journey of UCLan’s Sports Therapy students and elevated the expertise of the faculty, reinforcing the university’s commitment to excellence in sports therapy education and practice.’ So, what did the students think? Student Dan said: ‘The week that I spent in Guernsey at the NatWest Small Island Games was a unique and invaluable experience. Being able to spend time on recovery with athletes from a range of sports including athletics, cycling, tennis and more, gave me a huge confidence boost not only in my profession but also every- day life. With the aid of Pieter, Rob and Gus, it allowed me to have the confidence to professionally treat the athletes, always knowing I had their continuous support and guidance.’ And Student Uma: ‘Being part of the UCLan team at the Guernsey International Island Games 2023, was an excellent opportunity for me to build my skills as a future sports therapist. Working alongside the accompanying staff, we gained valuable practical skills and knowledge. The experience built my ability to work in various different conditions, given the skills to be adaptable, resilient and manage working under pressure. On a personal level I was able to use my own initiative to become a resourceful member of the team. As a mature student, this allowed me to see I had transferable skills to offer future employers. Overall, the experience has strengthened my confidence and self- belief in my ability as a future Sports Therapist.’ *You can read about how Andy Cunningham, Society Member and former Principal Lecturer at UCLan’s School of Health Sciences, started this fantastic relationship for UCLan and the Island Games: UCLan Sports Therapy Students Break New Ground at Gibraltar Island Games – The Society of Sports Therapists (thesst.org)

Therapy Expo 2023 will soon be upon us and once again we are delighted to have a number of Members showcasing their knowledge and skills. Last chance to book reduced price tickets today 29th September ’23 – don’t forget to add your SST discount code SSTMEMBER15 Register Here See below for which Members are talking: DAY ONE 22nd November ‘23 Rehabilitation, Recovery and Return to Performance in an MDT environment. Mike Hine, head of Medical Performance Port Vale FC Theatre A: 10.25-10.55 Mike, a highly experienced therapist working in professional football, will discuss the different components that come into play when working with injured players. He will showcase the work that goes into their return to fitness from different aspects of the MDT within professional football. Incorporating Strength and Conditioning into a Rehabilitation setting. Thomas Hames, Course Director BSc Sports and Exercise Therapy – Coventry University Michelle Evans, Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation – AECC University College Theatre A: 12:05 – 12:35 Tom and Michelle (previously of Coventry University) will explore the integration of strength and conditioning principles within a rehabilitation context with insights into practical applications and evidence-based approaches that empower attendees to seamlessly incorporate these elements into a rehabilitative setting. Explore how this integration can optimize recovery and enhance functional outcomes in a dynamic rehabilitation context. Therapy and Cancer – a patient and therapist perspective Kirsty Hopgood, Senior Lecturer in Sports Therapy – Edge Hill University Kristian Weaver, Lecturer in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation – Wrexham University Theatre C: 14:30 – 15:00 A unique insight from Kirsty Hopgood, a Graduate Sports Therapist who went from an ankle sprain in 2016 to a cancer patient in 2019. She will be chatting with former Society Chair Kristian Weaver, about the initial assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, outcomes, and personal reflections following the diagnosis of an osteosarcoma in her fibula. Practitioners will increase their awareness of how cancer may present and reinforce their knowledge of red flag recognition. There are lessons to be learnt around being persistent while advocating for your patients. DAY TWO 23rd November ‘23 Chill Out Dr Peter Thain, Associate Professor and Course Leader in Sports Therapy, Birmingham City University – Medical Lead, Great Britain Senior Women’s Basketball Team Theatre A: 10:25 – 10:55 So, should we avoid ice altogether? The use of ice in acute injury management remains a controversial topic within musculoskeletal practice. So, should we use ice in acute injury management? What about for recovery? Peter aims to debunk claims we should forget about ice altogether. A holistic approach to rehabilitation, health and wellbeing Jen Wilson Senior Exercise Practitioner, Nottingham Trent University /FiiT for Life Theatre A: 12.55-13.25 Identifying and Integrating pillars of health into healthcare practice to encourage long-term engagement in health. Jen will consider the “24-hour individual” and how small lifestyle changes can have big impact on rehabilitation and healthcare. Knee injuries in football – perspectives from 10 years in the women’s game Andy Frampton, Assistant Professor Sport & Exercise Therapy – Coventry University Theatre A: 14:55 – 15:25 Andy will give an insight into working with injured female players and offer practical examples of how practitioners can approach conditioning the female player. His talk will discuss the challenges surrounding knee injuries in female athletes drawing on research and his own experiences

The Society of Sports Therapists (The SST) has announced that it is renewing its sponsorship of the Transplant Sport Therapy Team. The team receives no Government or lottery funding and relies on the goodwill and generosity of a small number of therapists, working totally in a voluntary capacity. The ever-developing relationship between the two organisations has seen a number of events in 2023 that have highlighted what a key role SST Members and students can play. April 2023 saw Graduate Member Paddy Gaffey, link up with the GB and NI Transplant Sport Therapy Team and travel to Perth Australia, for the World Transplant Games. Paddy was awarded the Travelling Scholarship opportunity, following a rigorous interview process, with a record number of applications for the role. The award was developed as a direct result of The SST’s 2022 sponsorship, together with a growing recognition by the Therapy team, led by Alison Bloxham and Sheila Leddington Wright, that the skills of an SST Graduate Member are ideally suited to working with Transplant Athletes. Just a few short months ago, 15 SST Members and Students volunteered to support the Transplant Sport Therapy team at the British Transplant Games in Coventry. The Games provided a great occasion for the newly qualified Graduates and students, to get to meet therapists from other professions, learn more about the Transplant Athlete and work with experienced members of the Therapy team. The Games also provided the perfect opportunity to create an annual award for outstanding contribution to Therapy. The Society was delighted to present the first ever Award to Graduate Member Alex Marney at a wonderfully inclusive social event during the Games. A second award was made on the evening with the perfect chance to say thank you to the Therapy Team and one person in particular; Alison Bloxham. Alison is the Therapy Team Lead and a Physiotherapist by training. She has generously embraced the skills of our Graduate Sports Therapists and opened the door to new opportunities for our Members. Importantly, the previously known Physiotherapy Team is now called the Therapy team; a significant change that recognises that the team is truly multi-disciplinary. Alison was awarded Honorary Membership of The SST. And earlier this month, SST Honorary Member and former Associate Professor at Coventry University, Sheila Leddington Wright and Transplantee and World Transplant Games Gold medallist Karen Rockell, from the UK Organ Donation and Transplantation Research network, talked to Lecturers and Course Leaders at The SST University Forum. Research is distinctly lacking in the Transplant Sport arena and this burgeoning relationship provides great opportunities for research and case studies for undergraduates. It also gives Universities the chance to establish significant relationships with Transplant Units in the UK and provide support for their patients. Society Chair, Lynsey Northeast said: ‘The Society of Sports Therapist is delighted to continue our support of the Transplant Sport Therapy Team. ‘We are grateful to Alison Bloxham, Sheila Leddington Wright and the team for providing our Members with yet another avenue to showcase their skills and knowledge, enabling them to play a  part in supporting transplantees with a second chance to enjoy the wonderful benefits and opportunities that sport has to offer. ‘We very much hope that this relationship will continue to go from strength to strength.’

The 2023 Annual General Meeting saw the election of two new Directors; Thomas Hames, Associate Professor at Coventry University and Jen Wilson, Senior Exercise Practitioner at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). The meeting also saw the return to the Board of Director Michael Cole and the stepping down of Tom Cresswell. Some of you will know Jen from her previous role as Course Leader at the University of Derby and as Vice Chair of the Communications Group. She recently took up her new role at NTU where she will be a key player in the university’s innovative Sport and Wellbeing Academy; the core aim of which is ‘to be at the heart of health and wellbeing in the local community and to promote and enable people to lead healthier lifestyles.’ Thomas is Course Director of the BSc Sports and Exercise Therapy programme at Coventry University. Like Jen,he has been a Member of the Society since 2010 and is passionate about Sports Therapy. Thomas is a key member of the Transplant Sport Therapy Team. He is currently completing his PhD in Transplant Sport. He is also Lead therapist at National League 2 side Hinckley RFC. Returning Director Michael Cole is a Senior Lecturer at the University of East London. Michael is a National Teaching Fellow and (part-time) PhD researcher in Postcolonial, Critical Whiteness Praxis in higher education, sport and healthcare. He has been instrumental in developing the Network for Engagement in Equity, Diversity & Social-Structural Strategy (NEEDSs) for The SST. Tom Cresswell was due to retire by rotation this year and chose to step down from the Board.  We thank him for his work since 2020 for and on behalf of The SST and we wish him well for the future.

Congratulations to former Society of Sports Therapists’  Chair Kristian Weaver, Current Chair and Director  Lynsey Northeast, fellow Directors Michael Cole and Dr Christopher Holland, and Chair of NEEDSs, Tyrone Cassius for their editing of the special edition of the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) ( July 2023, Volume 57 Issue 13.) This was the second year that The SST had been invited to edit the journal and the theme they opted for is: Sports and Exercise Therapists: An Integral Part of the Multidisciplinary Community Healthcare The introductory ‘warm up’ article looks at the increasing impact of MSK conditions on ‘people, employers, the health service and the economy’ and the role Sports and Exercise Therapists can play in supporting the provision of high quality MSK care, keeping as many people as possible physically active. The editors also highlight a series of research articles dealing with topics that Members of The Society of Sports Therapists (The SST) might face with patients within their local communities or with sports teams where they may work. A further editorial piece, ‘Inequalities across the physical activity landscape: the need for ‘structural humility’ to optimise sports and exercise medicine,’ was produced by Michael Cole, Dr Christopher Holland, and Tyrone Cassius. The focus is the ongoing issue of health inequity. The team look at Sports and Exercise Medicine (SEM) and the role practitioners, professional bodies and research organisations can play in working towards SEM equity. Society Members can access the journal free of charge by logging in to The SST website and visiting:  https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/13

Every year, two directors on the Board of The Society of Sports Therapists (The SST) must retire by rotation. This is done in order of seniority as to when the individuals joined the Board. While they are free to re-apply to remain in the role, this also provides a chance for other Members to step up and if selected, to represent their Society going forward. This opportunity is open to Members only. This year, two of the current Directors are due to step down and a third vacancy is also available due to Kristian Weaver’s resignation earlier in the year. As the Society continues to evolve, the successful applicants will have the opportunity to play a key role in its current and future development. So, as a Member of The SST, if you are passionate about Sports Therapy and the role Graduate Members of The SST can play in the Sports & Exercise arena, this is a real chance for you to step forward and have your say. The SST is committed to developing a diverse, equal, and inclusive organisation. It is important that the Board should be representative of the membership and the Society welcomes applications from across the Member community. To find out more about the responsibilities of a Director and what it means to take on the role, visit: https://thesst.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Your-role-as-a-director-2023-final.pdf So, ready to take that first step?  Simply email Head Office for a nomination form and get two other Members to endorse your nomination. You will also need to put together a two-minute video talking a little about yourself and why you would like to become a director. You will need to return your nomination form and video to Head Office by 12 noon on the 28th July ’23. The SST’s AGM will take place at 6pm on the 5th September ‘23 at the Sedgebrook Hall Hotel, Northampton. All nominees are invited to attend and to deliver a short address, as clearly the members present will want to hear from you. If for any reason you are unable to be there, you can select a Member in attendance, to read your address on your behalf. Voting will take place on the night and proxy votes will also be added up. The results will be announced on the evening.

Last week saw the long-awaited concussion update following the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport (held in Amsterdam in October 2022). Below is a summary of resources that may help you to navigate the latest changes. Concussion Consensus statement https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/695 BJSM Podcast – Summarising the key updates https://open.spotify.com/episode/1h7KCOqU6vvgh52M2ZQRRA?si=lcSG7S3_SuSXnz4MX4yzvw The new SCAT 6 tool https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/619 The new Child SCAT 6 tool https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/632.long The new office-based SCOAT 6 tool for use in office/clinic settings 72 hours + post injury https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/648 The new office-based Child SCOAT 6 tool for use in office/clinic settings 72 hours + post injury https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/668 BJSM are hosting a webinar on July 11th 6pm-7.30pm to summarise the latest updates which you can book onto here https://bjsmlive.bmj.com/ BJSM  Live CONCUSSION in Sport – Webinar 11th July 2023 6pm-7.30pm Follow the details below to book your place and to access 15% discount Click here to register: https://bjsmlive.bmj.com/ Select ‘Supporting Partner’ as the attendee type Enter the supporting partner verification code BJSMPartner23 Select which organisation you received this code from in the drop-down list Click ‘complete registration’ to make payment and confirm your registration. You will then receive your registration confirmation email. For further reading you may wish to view the papers below Amsterdam 2022 consensus methodology https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/712 Definition of sport-related concussion: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/617 SCAT 6 development systematic review https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/722 SCOAT 6 development systematic review https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/737 Rest and exercise early after sport-related concussion: a systematic review and meta-analysis https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/12/762 Targeted interventions and their effect on recovery in children, adolescents and adults who have sustained a sport-related concussion: a systematic review https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/12/771 What tests and measures accurately diagnose persisting post-concussive symptoms in children, adolescents and adults following sport-related concussion? A systematic review https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/12/780 Role of biomarkers and emerging technologies in defining and assessing neurobiological recovery after sport-related concussion: a systematic review https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/12/789 Clinical recovery from concussion–return to school and sport: a systematic review and meta-analysis https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/12/798 Examining later-in-life health risks associated with sport-related concussion and repetitive head impacts: a systematic review of case-control and cohort studies https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/12/810 When should an athlete retire or discontinue participating in contact or collision sports following sport-related concussion? A systematic review https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/12/822 Prevention strategies and modifiable risk factors for sport-related concussions and head impacts: a systematic review and meta-analysis https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/12/749  In case you missed it: In April the Government and the Sport and Recreation Alliance published the first UK-wide Concussion Guidelines for Grassroots Sport https://www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/policy/research-publications/concussion-guidelines