First Team Sports Therapist

The First Team Sports Therapist will provide high-quality therapy services to the first team squad, supporting player health, wellbeing, availability and performance within an elite sporting environment. Working as an integral member of the multidisciplinary medical and performance team, the post-holder will contribute to the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries, ensuring players receive evidence-based care throughout all stages of recovery.

The role will involve close collaboration with coaching, medical, sports science and strength and conditioning staff to optimise physical performance, minimise injury risk and support safe return-to-play decisions. The First Team Sports Therapist will play a key role in creating a high-performance environment, delivering player-centred care and helping the club achieve its competitive objectives through maximising player readiness and availability throughout the season.

Essential Criteria

Experience

• Experience working within a professional sporting environment.
• Experience operating as part of a multidisciplinary medical and performance team.
• Experience delivering injury assessment, treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
• Experience providing pitch-side medical support during training sessions and competitive fixtures.
• Experience working with athletes to support performance optimisation, injury prevention and recovery strategies.
• Experience maintaining accurate and confidential medical records and player management information.

Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications

• Relevant Diploma, Undergraduate Degree or Postgraduate Degree in Sports Therapy, Sports Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy or a related discipline.
• Full membership of an appropriate professional body relevant to the role.
• Up-to-date safeguarding and emergency aid qualifications.
• Excellent understanding of sports injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation principles.
• Strong knowledge of evidence-based practice within elite sport and athlete management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships across departments.
• Ability to work independently and make sound clinical decisions in a high-performance environment.
• Competent IT skills and experience using medical record management systems.

Personal Qualities

• Enthusiastic and passionate about athlete health and performance.
• Adaptable and able to respond effectively within a fast-paced elite sporting environment.
• Team-orientated with excellent collaborative working skills.
• Reliable, professional and highly organised.
• Proactive in identifying and resolving issues before they impact player availability.
• Hardworking with a commitment to continuous professional development.
• High levels of integrity, discretion and confidentiality.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering the highest standards of care.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings, weekends and travel as required.

Preferred Criteria

Experience

• Previous experience working at First Team level within an elite sporting environment.
• Experience working within professional football.
• Experience supporting players throughout the full return-to-play process following injury.
• Experience of working with GPS, player monitoring and performance data systems.
• Experience of domestic and international travel with elite athletes and teams.

Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications

• Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF) qualification.
• Additional qualifications in manual therapy, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation or strength and conditioning.
• FA Advanced Trauma Medical Management in Football (ATMMiF) or equivalent qualification.
• Knowledge and understanding of the specific physical demands of elite football.
• Experience applying performance, recovery and workload management strategies within professional football.
• Understanding of current research and best practice within elite sports medicine and sports therapy.

Personal Qualities

• Ability to thrive under pressure and make decisions in time-sensitive situations.
• Driven to continually improve standards and contribute to a high-performance culture.
• Positive attitude and willingness to support wider departmental and club objectives.
• Strong commitment to player-centred care and holistic athlete development.

• To assist and collaborate with the Head of Medical and all First Team Medical and Performance staff in relation to all aspects of performance therapy, injury prevention and rehabilitation of first team players.
• Perform treatments and assist in the rehabilitation of injuries sustained by the first team players.
• Assist in the undertaking of the screening of the playing squad during the season to help identify individual priority areas for injury prevention therapy and exercise.
• Use a variety of effective manual therapy techniques on the first team players to help reduce injury risk and enhance rehabilitation from injury.
• Provide and assist in recovery strategies for 1st team players
• Work as part of the match day medical team, to prepare the players for games and provide immediate emergency first aid care if required.
• Keep accurate records of all injuries, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation sessions and record them on the medical database.
• Undertake training and CPD to keep up to date with current relevant research and developments in sports medicine and participate in the club in-service training.
• Assist in compiling detailed injury information for in-season phase reviews and end of season injury audits.
• Ensure all home/away matches are appropriately packed with medical and emergency equipment in collaboration with medical team

Applications close Friday 18th September