It has been a few years since I have worked with a professional sports team. My last posting being at British Judo Olympic and Paralympic National Training Centre.
Working within a sports team is very different to private clinic. I get to be part of a large team, have the experience of other occupations around me and work inside the realms of one sport.

October 2023 saw me join Redditch Borough Ladies FC, filling the position of Team Physio. The season has now finished and we finished 2nd in the league, just missing out on promotion. For our first season in the current league it was a result to be proud of.
The weather saw a lot of rescheduled games and a start-stop season which was a different test for the ladies to keep match fitness and momentum high.
A few months later in January 2024 I was asked to support Feckenham FC as their Team Physio.

The physicality of men's football was a change from the ladies so a lot more bloody noses to contend with. Feckenham FC finished this season 5th in the table.
The main reason I decided to venture out of the clinic was to work outside. I think too much time in the warm confines of the clinic makes me a bit soft to the environment. So hopefully this season I have grown in robustness.

 This manner of work also puts me at the initial stages of injury and issues rather than entering into a patient's life at the chronic stages or for maintenance purposes. Symptoms like concussion, cuts, astro burns, broken bones are something that doesn't frequent my clinic couch that often.

My couch location is anywhere and everywhere it can fit to facilitate treatment. At times there is no couch so being adaptive is a must. It offers for comical situations of how to best support your team while still providing the same high quality treatment.

One thing I didn't fully realise was the extent of time is would add to my work week. Which is why in season I would advise anyone looking after a sports team to shift their private clinic availability way ahead of time. It was all a learning curve!
Contrary to some beliefs working alongside a sports team isn't close to what one could earn in a private clinic setting. Unless you are attached to a very high-up team you have to manage expectations of what you will be paid. This of course depends on your qualifications, the type of sport and whether you support a male or female team. The budget for men's teams are, the majority of the time, better financed.

The season has finished, the next already begun and the football will be back firmly in the calendar again very soon. Hopefully the 2024/25 season will be filled with more celebrations for the teams.
Amy Rose

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