Elite dreams for Kristian

UCLan Sports Therapy Alumni Kristian Weaver dreams of working with athletes at the highest possible level.

The 2009 graduate spent the majority of his time at UCLan gaining as much industry experience as he could in order to achieve that dream.

Kristian recently took part in the UCLan Sports Therapy Alumni Day to share his experiences with current undergraduates.

"I loved being at UCLan, but made sure I gave up as much of my time as I could to create contacts which prove useful in the future," said Kristian.

"I worked with a professional basketball team in Liverpool before securing a role at Everton FC Academy. I also worked with a Women's Rugby team and after graduating I secured a travel scholarship to work in Canada. I had some amazing experiences working in American Football and Ice Hockey in front of some really big crowds."

After returning to the UK Kristian resumed his role at Everton, while also gaining a one-year contract at a Birmingham school where he looked after 20 national and international athletes. The project, run by the Society of Sports Therapists and Youth Sport Trust, was eventually extended to three years and although funding finally ended the school still use Kristian's services.

Kristian has also worked with talented gymnasts, assisted teachers in PE & dance and expanded his football experience with Birmingham City FC Academy. After returning to the Wirral, Kristian decided to undertake a Master's and has secured a role as an Associate Lecturer at UCLan.

He has also established his own business – Kristian Weaver Sports Performance – and recently travelled back to Canada to work with the England U14 ice hockey team. Kristian says students looking to progress in the industry should concentrate on making their own opportunities.

Kristian added: "Don't let anything pass you by. When you first start off you'll do a lot of voluntary roles and shifts that no-one else wants to do. Make sure you build a working relationship with the people you treat and communicate with them. Ask lots of questions and you won't go far wrong."

So you want to be a Sports Therapist?

Final year undergraduate Ben Oliver took time away from his busy schedule to give an insight into his life as a UCLan Sports Therapy student:

"As a third year student my life is fairly hectic. Although I'm not in university for a great amount of time this year, I'm kept busy seven days a week with private study, dissertation research, placements and work.

"My typical week consists of placement at Preston North End on a Monday and Wednesday, university for lectures, clinic sessions on a Tuesday and Thursday, placement at Macclesfield Town on Fridays and working at Marks and Spencer on a Saturday and Sunday.

"On placement I do a lot of sports massage and rehabilitation sessions and I also do warm ups for the youth team at North End. It takes a huge amount of commitment and sacrificing my social life, but it's well worth the effort.

"My dissertation topic is researching the effects of cryotherapy on knee joint position sense. We are utilising the 3D motion cameras in order to track the exact movements that people make during a functional knee bend before and after the application of ice. I have thoroughly enjoyed researching the topic and it's inspired me to think about starting a Master's by Research in the future.

Numbers game pays off for Sports Therapy graduate

After graduating from our programme in 2011, Rob Lang was unsure what his next step would be.

Under the guidance of Division Lead Karen May, Rob continued to gain work experience with Wharfedale RUFC before deciding to undertake a Master's in Sports Medicine.

He completed this in September 2012 and began applying for positions related to Sports Therapy. We spoke to Rob to find out more: "I was incredibly lucky to be asked to attend an interview at 'The Sports Injury Clinic' just hours after completing my Master's. Within a fortnight I was running my own clinic in Newmarket. This was a fairly big shock, as I really didn't expect to get a job for a few months.

"I've focused on improving my clinical skills, but I think it's less obvious how you may improve in other areas such as people or organisational skills. I now organise races for different clubs and I'm the Race Director for the Sports Relief mile, 5K and 10K in Newmarket.

"I run free drop in clinics for my clinic, Waitrose, Tesco and the local CrossFit gym, which is a great way of improving confidence in your own ability as you're put on the spot in front of a lot of people.

"I initially averaged 24 clients a week for the first six months, but was told I should aim for at least 35. I sat down and put together a few ideas on how I could increase my numbers and began putting on deals, giving away vouchers and handing out leaflets to everyone.

"Along with another therapist we decided to allocate three hours after work on the first Wednesday of every month to give free 15 minute consultations to anyone who wanted one in the centre.

"Some people came wanting to book in, while others simply wanted free advice, but all the time people were seeing and talking about the clinic. I decided to contact Waitrose and Tesco to offer the same idea to their staff on a quarterly basis.

"This is a little tougher as the workers are a little unsure and are sometimes put off by the name 'The Sports Injury Clinic'. If they don't do sport they tend to ignore us, but I'll treat anyone with an injury whether it's sporty or not.

"I've also teamed up with another contact and offered the same idea to a local CrossFit gym. We now see nearly a third of their members. On top of this my I now see roughly 45 patients per week at the clinic.

"I'd advise anyone looking to get into the industry to be prepared to leave your comfort zone once in a while - it can really pay off. Patient recommendations are the best way to increase your numbers, so make sure you properly look after the ones you have."

Variety the spice of life for Jill

Our graduates are equipped to pursue careers across numerous disciplines throughout the Physiotherapy and Sports Therapy industries.

Since graduating Jill Alexander has worked in variety of sports including rugby, football and athletics.

She recently shared her experiences with current undergraduates at the UCLan Sports Therapy Alumni Day.

"During my degree I did loads of volunteering in order to gain as much 'pitchside experience' as possible. In my final year I did my dissertation looking at cryotherapy in sport and ended up applying for a summer internship as a research assistant at UCLan.

"I subsequently completed a Master's by Research, looking at athletic taping on the asymmetric postures of female equine riders during sitting trot. It's a flexible area of study, as you can do full-time or part-time supported by outside work. I didn't really want to go down the Physiotherapy route on a full-time basis as I wanted to do something which hadn't been done before.

"I'm now employed as a clinical researcher for the Allied Health Professions Research Unit within SSTO. I also work for Wharfedale RUFC and have my own business where I look after different types of runners and dancers. I see about 15 clients per week and this allows me time to focus on my research work which I find so rewarding."

In conjunction with Professor James Selfe, Karen May and Dr Sarah Hobbs, Jill has also helped to establish links between UCLan and Myerscough College in the field of equine research, and recently coordinated a landmark cryotherapy study with Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club.

Hard work reaps rewards for graduate

Our graduates pursue careers across a variety of disciplines throughout the Sports Therapy industry.

Lewis Hiney graduated in 2013 and has progressed from a voluntary role with Preston North End FC into a full-time position with the club.

He has also set up Preston Sports Clinic based at CrossFit Spectrum Gym, where he regularly offers injury assessments and rehabilitation services to clients.

Lewis recently returned to UCLan to share his experiences with current undergraduates: "I did some work experience at Deepdale, before being offered a full-time season internship contract.

"I assist the Head Physio in assessment of injuries, massage and rehabilitation. I also help with matchday preparation for the reserves and youth team. In addition to this I set up Preston Sports Clinic and I also offer mobile Sports Therapy to the general public.

"It's hard work when you're trying to establish yourself, so it's important to promote yourself via social media and by word of mouth."

Lewis hopes to continue to develop his practice and has targeted a return to UCLan in the future to undertake a Master's in Physiotherapy. He believes Continual Personal Development is the key to success.

"I'd advise anyone looking to get into the industry to read as much as you can after graduating, so you remain as safe and effective as you possibly can. It's crucial to be confident as well – if you put people at ease, they'll have confidence in what you do and be happy to return in the future."