External placement

During my external placement with Stanway Pegasus Football Club, I completed a total of 100 hours under the supervision of Sam Beddoes, a sports therapy graduate. Working alongside someone with a similar educational background created a comfortable and collaborative environment, allowing our communication and teamwork to be smooth and efficient. My role involved supporting players both in training and on matchdays through first aiding, injury prevention exercises, and treatment. I regularly provided soft tissue therapy, such as massage and assisted stretching, before and after games to help prepare players physically and aid their recovery. Taping was another injury prevention and rehabilitation treatment used by athletes throughout the season. It was the most focused, as many of the players had previously sprained ankles. They were all used to the strapping and felt highly supportive of the idea. Different strapping techniques were tailored to each individual's needs, allowing for the management of various injuries and improving stability by providing support around the joint. 

Being the only first aider on match days, I had to be assisted with all acute injuries, which often were impact injuries such as concussions, bleeding wounds, ankle sprains or muscular strains. One particularly memorable case involved a player named George, who presented with ongoing anterior knee pain that was difficult to diagnose. Through joint discussion with Sam and work with other professionals, as an MRI was conducted, we were able to reach a diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy, meniscus irritation and a bone contusion. This case highlighted how essential teamwork and communication are for all professionals to be on the same page. With all of us having clinical reasoning and knowledge of different injuries, we were able to identify the complex injury. 

After each training session and match, the coaching staff exchanged information and updates on any players I had observed. Ensuring they stay informed about any injuries occurring and if a player is eligible to play or train is important, as all my decisions are made with player safety as the primary concern. If any players were injured, I ensured that I educated them on their injuries and any injury prevention strategies, such as warming up, cooling down, and stretching routines. 

This placement significantly strengthened my confidence in providing hands-on treatment, assessing players with various injuries, and delivering the most effective treatment to encourage the quickest recovery while preventing further injuries. Throughout, I maintained professionalism and confidentiality at all times,  ensuring all interactions met ethical standards and safeguarding requirements. Overall, this placement was a valuable and rewarding experience that allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a real-world sports setting, refine my practical skills, and build lasting confidence in my ability to support athletes' health and performance.