2024 Injury Rehab Network Events

The Sterosport Injury Rehab Network events continued to grow in 2023, and we are grateful to the expert guest speakers who provided such insightful and interesting presentations. We are very excited to announce initial plans for a schedule of monthly events in 2024 in partnership with BASRaT. The events will include talks from exceptional expert guest speakers with a combination of online and face-to-face events.

Catch up on previous events:

• 2023 Injury Rehab Network Events
• 2022 Injury Rehab Network Events

Mike James – Endurance Physio

“The Steroplast Injury Rehab Network is a superb and innovative idea that can benefit therapists. To provide an opportunity for local multidisciplinary therapists to learn from each other and others, whilst networking and introducing people that can help each other is simply groundbreaking. Having had the pleasure to attend a recent event, the positive discussion and energy in the room was palpable. Steroplast have truly hit it out of the park with this!” – Mike James – The Endurance Physio.

About the Injury Rehab Network

Sterosport is an arm of Steroplast Healthcare dedicated to supporting sports professionals in Manchester and the surrounding area. In 2019, Sterosport established the Injury Rehab Network as a means for sports injury professionals to network, share ideas and collaborate. The events provide a fantastic opportunity for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for any therapists, physios, rehabilitators, or other sports professionals to keep up to date with the latest thinking, developments, and evidence in the sector.

Dr Carl Todd – Consultant Osteopath in Sport & Exercise Medicine

“I was invited during 2022 by Andrew Watson to give a lecture as part of the Injury Rehab Network events from Sterosport with BASRaT. This is a unique platform for multidisciplinary practitioners to not only network together but to gain high quality training to fulfil their continued professional development requirements.

I was particularly impressed by the way Andrew marketed and presented the online event through social media. Throughout this period, he remained in constant communication with me to ensure that I was kept up to date with any new developments or changes.

The diverse range of practitioners that attended this event made for a great interactive learning experience that was clearly reflected by the array of questions I received at the end. All in all, it was a pleasure to deliver my presentation and share my experience on through the Injury Rehab Network platform.” – Dr Carl Todd, Consultant Osteopath in Sport & Exercise Medicine – Carl Todd Clinics

The format of each event is a keynote speech followed by a discussion and facilitated networking. The Injury Rehab Network organisers work hard to source well-known authorities or personalities in sport. You can read about all of our previous Injury Rehab Network Event Speakers here.

Fiona Rosamond, Podiatrist

“I was beyond honoured to have been invited to speak remotely at an Injury Rehab Network event. The communication from initial talks to the days prior was excellent from Andrew. There was a wide range of health professionals online listening globally. This is testimony to how highly regarded the Injury Rehab Network events are & the quality of CPD involved.

The slot was perfect timing to present without feeling rushed and an opportunity for questions at the end. The range of speakers, sports & topics is varied, and I look forward to joining in again soon.” – Fiona Rosamond, Podiatrist – Hands for Feet

2024 Event Details

15th January at 7pm – Gerard Greene, Physiotherapist (Coventry University)

Gerard is a graduate of Trinity College in Dublin and an experienced Men’s health physio and is based in the UK. He works clinically in male pelvic pain, pelvic floor rehab post prostate surgery, hard flaccid syndrome, younger erectile dysfunction, pelvic floor dysfunction in sport and focused shockwave in pelvic health. He has established 2 Men’s health physio clinics in the UK (London & Birmingham) and has experience in developing the role and service of Men’s health Physiotherapy.

He has produced a popular Male pelvic pain webinar for the APTA Pelvic Health Academy and delivered a pre-con course at the APTA CSM 2020 conference in Denver with his good friend and colleague Dr Jo Milios. He also presented at IFOMPT Asia in Tokyo in September 2020 and taught in Washington DC in 2019 & 2023.

He presented at WCPT 2017 in Cape Town on Men’s health and was invited to teach the 1st Men’s Health course in South Africa with Dr Jo Milios (South African Physiotherapy Society). He has delivered Male pelvic health courses/ conferences for the Japanese Physical Therapy Association and delivered one of the 1st practical Men’s health physiotherapy courses in the Middle East (Dubai). He has also taught men’s health courses in the UK & Ireland. He is a passionate advocate for more physiotherapists to get involved in Male pelvic health.

He is also an Assistant Professor of Physiotherapy in Coventry University, UK. He is also proud to be a #tutorwhotreats.

“Male athletic pelvic health”

Mr Greene’s presentation will consider:

• What are the typical male sporting patients and conditions seen in a busy male pelvic health physiotherapy clinic?
• The role of the male pelvic floor and pudendal nerve in male sporting conditions.
• What is male athletic pelvic pain and how to pick it up in a sporting male?
• Cycling related pelvic pain.
• What urinary, bowel and erectile symptoms are common and how to ask those questions.
• What the assessment of these patients looks like.
• How they are treated and managed.
• Myth busting around athletic male pelvic health.

Click here to read the post event blog and watch the recording

6th February at 7 pm – Dr Amit Mistry, Psychiatrist

Dr Amit D. Mistry is a Consultant Psychiatrist dual trained in General Adult & Old Age Psychiatry and chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Sport & Exercise Special Interest Group.  He is the Consultant Sports Psychiatrist to England Women’s XI Cricket (ECB), ASICS Europe and has private admitting rights to the Nightingale Hospital, London.

In 2021 he co-published “Case Studies in Sports Psychiatry” with Cambridge University Press. This was the first ever sports psychiatry book to have been co-authored by sports clinicians and elite athletes. His published research is related to athlete mental health, wellbeing within the sport, exercise addiction and disordered eating. He holds a visiting clinical lecturer position at Queen Mary’s University London (QMUL) in Sport & Exercise Medicine (SEM).

“Mental Health Challenges in Elite Sport”

Dr Mistry’s presentation will review the role of a Consultant Sports Psychiatrist working within elite sport. The talk will focus on common mental health challenges seen in athletes and examples of how they can managed as a multi-disciplinary team. The latter part of the talk will include interactive case studies and examples of best practice management.

Click here to read the post event blog and watch the recording

5th March at 7pm – Mr Ian Hunt, Consultant Thoracic Surgeon

Mr Hunt is a thoracic (chest) surgeon who specialises in chest wall problems. He is regarded as a leading expert on congenital chest (pectus) deformities and injuries to the chest, ribs, and sternum. He sees patients from all around the world.

Mr Hunt was appointed as a consultant thoracic surgeon at St George’s Hospital in 2009 having trained in London, UK, Canada, and the USA. He was the head of thoracic surgery for 7 years and is currently the lead for thoracic trauma for the Southwest London and Surrey trauma network.

He has been actively involved in clinical management, research, training, and education. He regularly consults with professional sports teams in managing chest wall problems. He is the medical director of the ‘rib injury clinic’.

“Modern management of chest, rib and sternal injuries in the elite athlete”

Mr Hunt’s presentation will consider the initial diagnosis and management of common chest wall injuries and treatment with an emphasis on return to play protocols.

Click here to read the post event blog and watch the recording

8th April at 7pm – Dr Nicola Keay, Hormone Health Expert

Nicky Keay is the author of “Health Hormones and Human Potential: A guide to understanding your hormones to optimise your health and performance”. Her next book will explore “The Myths of Menopause”.

Nicky is an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at, Division of Medicine, University College London. She lectures and conducts research in the area of exercise endocrinology, with publications in this field. Nicky’s clinical endocrine work is mainly with active women, exercisers, dancers and athletes, with a focus on relative energy deficiency in sports (REDs) and those navigating perimenopause/menopause.

Nicky works to provide a more personalised approach to female hormone health. Nicky authored the British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine Health4performance.co.uk online resource. Nicky is a medical advisor to Scottish Ballet and a keen dancer herself taking 4 ballet classes per week.

Nicky’s presentation, “Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs)”, will discuss and explore the aetiological factors, clinical outcomes and management of REDs. Practical tools will include how to identify those at risk and what to do to support those restoring health and recovering from associated hormone and physical injuries.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the causative factors of REDs
• Appreciate that REDs can occur in both males and females, all age and all levels of exerciser
• Appreciate the underlying physiological mechanisms
• Appreciate how to identify those at risk
• Understand principles of risk stratification
• Know what to do to support those experiencing REDs

Click here to read the post event blog and watch the recording

29th April at 7 pm – Dr Andrew Shafik, Club Doctor Crystal Palace FC

Andrew was educated at the University of Aberdeen, where he graduated with a Medical degree and Sport & Exercise Science degree.

He also pursued further studies, achieving a distinction in an MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine at the University of Leeds, where he was awarded the Sport & Exercise Medicine prize for 2020/2021. He also holds a Diploma in MSK Medicine and is a Member of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine.

He went on to work in football at Gateshead FC and Newcastle United FC Academy before moving down south and working as Lead Academy Doctor at Millwall FC and as a doctor at Chelsea FC. He has previously worked with Aberdeen FC academy as well as in athletics, golf, rugby and basketball. Andrew is now currently a Club Doctor at Crystal Palace FC and is studying a PgCert in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound.

Andrew has a special interest in football medicine and performance education with roles as Senior Editor and Podcast Lead at the FMPA, Assistant Secretary at the FA Medical Society and a Professional Development Advisor/Teaching Fellow at the University of Bath’s MSc in Football Medicine in partnership with FIFA.

Andrew’s presentation, “Working as a Doctor in English Football” will discuss the role of a club doctor in elite football.

Click here to read the post event blog and watch the recording

13th May at 7 pm – Angela Jackson, Chartered Physiotherapist

Angela Jackson is a Chartered Physiotherapist who, over the last 35 years, has dedicated her career to understanding youth athlete injuries. She owned a highly successful physiotherapy clinic for 30 years and has become an expert in youth injury risk factors, helping hundreds of children reach their athletic potential. For almost two decades, she has worked as the Physiotherapist to the Cheshire Cricket Board and advises Premier League Football Academies across the globe. As a passionate educator, Angela lectures internationally, is the author of multiple online courses, and advocates for a specialised approach to rehabilitating injured young athletes through the platform, “Kids Back 2 Sport.

Angela’s presentation, “Integrating neurocognitive rehab in to return to sport protocols” will consider how to train the brain, not just the sprain, in the rehabilitation of young athletes’ sports injuries.

Click here to read the post event blog and watch the recording

10th June at 7 pm – Siobhan O’Donovan, Chartered Physiotherapist, Founder PostureFitting

If you had asked Siobhán 10 years ago what she would be doing in 2023, she wouldn’t have predicted being surrounded by all things breasts and bras! But here she indeed is, on a mission to raise awareness of and demonstrate her solution for the very underestimated impact of breast weight on women and girls.

A chartered physio with a Master’s degree in the Prevention and Management of Sports Injury, Siobhán has always been a solution-seeker. With over 30 years of clinical experience working with patients to prevent, treat, rehab and deter problems, she developed PostureFitting, a physiotherapy service which connects breast weight and support with posture. The resultant effects on her patients in feeling, moving, and looking better were too good to keep a secret, and she now also trains other therapists to offer the PostureFitting service. Their mutual goal is to educate, empower & enlighten in all ways so that more gals win their daily battle against gravity while busting breast & bra booby traps! 👙

“Busting booby traps”

The significant impact of breast weight on the health and well-being of girls and women, & how they and their therapists can be enlightened to optimally support and manage breast weight.

Poorly supported breast weight has significant biopsychosocial effects on what women and girls do, how they feel, both physically and mentally, and how they move. Breast weight can be positively managed through a combination of active posture/alignment awareness and the passive support of an optimally fitting bra, yet few women & girls know how to implement these simple solutions. Allow me to introduce you to this problem hidden in plain sight so that you can recognise how these issues may be affecting your patients.

PostureFitting was created due to the absence of a satisfactory solution to this problem to educate, empower and enlighten my own patients in every possible sense of the word. They saw and felt how the combination of both external and internal support for breast weight is better than just one or the other of these. The results? Feeling, moving, and looking better, each of which was an uplifting circle of influence on the other. Awareness is followed by action, leading to greater awareness of a neglected area of women’s and girls’ health.

Click here to read the post event blog and watch the recording

11th July at 7 pm – Dr Ian Beasley

Dr Beasley qualified in 1982 from St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, followed by General Practice training. He was awarded a Smith & Nephew scholarship to study Sports Medicine in London in 1986 and passed his diploma with merit a year later. Ian gained his MSc in 1997 and was a foundation fellow of the Faculty of Exercise Medicine at its advent. He holds a Certificate in Ultrasound Scanning from the School of Medical Ultrasound in Bournemouth.

Ian has worked in all four professional football divisions in England as team physician at Leyton Orient, Chelsea, Watford, Fulham, Arsenal, West Ham, and Bournemouth. He was the national team doctor for the England men’s team and chief medical officer for the English FA from 2009 to 2016. In 2012, he was appointed by the BOA as a sports physician by Team GB for the London Olympics.

Ian was Chief Medical Officer for England and Great Britain Hockey for ten years and attended the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and World Cups with the national squads.

He was recruited by the world-famous Aspetar Hospital in Qatar and worked there for two years.

Ian was a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Medicine at Queen Mary College, London University, and clinical lead in SEM at Barts Health NHS Trust, and completed a certificate in Learning and Teaching whilst there.

He was a venue medical officer for FIFA at the U-17 women’s World Cup in India in 2022 and at the FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022.

Ian was a medical adviser to the Royal Ballet Company London for 15 years until 2023.

Current posts:

• Medical Consultant to the global performance unit at Manchester City FC.
• Board member of the International Concussion and Head Injury Research Foundation.

Dr Beasley regularly lectures to domestic and international audiences on assorted topics in Football Medicine, Team Medicine, and other issues in Sport and Exercise Medicine.

He was ‘The Athletes Doctor of Choice’ in the Times Magazine in 2010.

“Ex-footballers healthcare”

It is clear now that professional footballers suffer significant morbidity as a result of their time in the beautiful game. This talk outlines what those morbidities are and asks questions about how we might support those who have entertained us all over the years.

Click here to read the post event blog and watch the recording

7th August at 7 pm – Micki Cuppett, EdD, LAT, ATC, FNAP

Micki Cuppett has more than 30 years of experience as an athletic trainer, medical educator, and administrator.  She is self-employed as a consultant in the areas of strategic planning, leadership, interprofessional education, accreditation, AT education, medical simulation and innovation.

Known internationally for her work in instructional technology, simulation, and clinical encounter documentation, she has published numerous works in interprofessional education and co-authored Medical Conditions in the Athlete, a widely used textbook now in its fourth edition.  In addition to her consulting business, Micki has held adjunct/courtesy faculty positions at numerous universities in the U.S. and was recently inducted as a Distinguished Fellow in the National Academies of Practice.

“Clinical Pearls to Enhance Your Medical Examination Skills”

This session will review the examination of medical conditions, including differences from a ‘focal’ orthopaedic examination and provide the learner with tips and clinical pearls to improve their examination techniques of common medical conditions.  Signs, symptoms, and red flags for medical conditions will be reviewed, along with examination techniques for various systems and comorbidities.

1. Differentiate between a focal orthopaedic examination and a medical examination of conditions that may affect the organ system.
2. Recognize common pathological conditions, including signs and symptoms, differential diagnosis and standard medical treatment for common non-musculoskeletal conditions in the physically active.
3. Identify appropriate initial management of common disorders, conditions that may preclude the athlete from participation, and those that need referral and recognize which symptoms are self-limiting.
4. Develop a plan with online resources to practice the examination of medical conditions.

Click here to read the post event blog and watch the recording 

9th September at 7 pm – Dr Carly McKay

Dr Carly McKay completed her BKin (2006) and MSc in Sport Medicine (2008) at the University of Calgary (Canada), and her PhD in Kinesiology (2011) at Western University (Canada). She is currently a Reader in Injury Prevention, Director of Studies (MSc in Football Medicine in Association with FIFA), and Deputy Director of the Centre for Health, Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport (Chi²PS) at the University of Bath.

She sits on the executive of the UK Collaborating Centre on Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport (UKCCIIS), which is one of 11 International Research Centres for the Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health supported by the International Olympic Committee. She serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport and is an academic advisor to the Royal Academy of Dance, London.

Her research focuses on the role of psychosocial and behavioural factors in sport injury risk and recovery, and using behaviour change approaches to support injury prevention strategies.

Injury prevention in rugby and football: are we making any progress?

Significant effort has been made in the past two decades to reduce the risk of injury in sports like rugby and football. Several prevention strategies have led to significant injury reductions in large-scale studies and international sport governing bodies have introduced law changes and programmes specifically developed to promote player welfare. Yet, injury rates are at an all-time high. How can we claim to be making progress if things seem to be getting worse?

This talk will present the current state of injury prevention research in rugby and football, with emphasis on understanding why interventions that have shown such promise in trials ultimately haven’t had meaningful population-level effects. The talk will cover key concepts related to intervention development, injury surveillance and player monitoring, and the challenges encountered when scaling up evidence to widespread practice.

Click here to read the post event blog and watch the recording

8th October at 7 pm – Des Ryan, Director of Sport & Physical Wellbeing, University of Galway

Des Ryan is the Director of Sport & Physical Wellbeing at the University of Galway, where he leads the strategic development and management of the university’s sports programs and facilities. With a distinguished career in sports management and performance coaching, Des brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role.

Des joins the University of Galway from his position as Director of Coaching & Athletic Development at Setanta College and prior to that Des was the Head of Sport Medicine & Athletic Development at Arsenal Football Club Academy, which he held for 9 years and where he has re-shaped the concept of player development within the world of football. He has also previously served as Head of S&C at Connacht Rugby and as Fitness Education Manager within the IRFU, where he spent over 13 years developing the IRFU’s coach and player development system.

Over the years Des has presented at the UKSCA, ASCA and the NSCA conferences as well as many other conferences around the world. He also has worked as a consultant to World Rugby and the National Cricket academy in India.

Des has a Masters in Strength and Conditioning and is also an Accredited Strength and Conditioning coach with the UKSCA. He has achieved the High-Performance Sports Accreditation from the British Association of Sports and Exercise Science and is a chartered scientist.

As the Director of Sport, Des Ryan is instrumental in shaping the university’s sports landscape, overseeing the implementation of high-performance training programs, Sport for all programmes, and ensuring the provision of top-tier facilities for student-athletes. His passion for sports, coupled with his dedication to promoting physical activity and wellbeing, underscores his commitment to creating a dynamic and inclusive sports environment at the University of Galway. Des’ leadership and vision are integral to the university’s mission of supporting and empowering its sports community to achieve their full potential.

“Youth Athletic Development” – Des’s presentation will consider examples of evidence-based Youth Athletic Development programmes. He will share examples from Arsenal Academy and also from his years of experience working in youth Athletic Development, Supporting Girl and Boy players in the club, school and academy environments. Biological maturation will be discussed, and how to use that information to reduce the risk of growth-related injuries. Finally, Des will discuss some excellent resources that are available to coaches in the community to support Youth Athletic Development.

Find out more and register

24^th October 2024 at 7pm – Colin Lewin, Injury Rehab Network Event

Colin qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist from the University of Brighton in 1995, before joining Arsenal Football Club later that year as assistant physiotherapist. In 2008, he became Head of Medical Services at Arsenal Football Club and remained in that role until May 2018.

In that ten year period, Colin oversaw the evolution and development of the medical team supervising a staff that grew from seven to twelve. He was also a member of the planning group that designed a purpose-built medical building in 2012 and a new £17 million player performance centre in 2017.

Colin implemented the Research & Development arm to the medical team in 2015. This resulted in the co-publishing of articles, editorials and podcasts in various journals including BJSM, Tendon, and Aspetar journal. Along with Dr. Gary O’Driscoll, Colin was the founder of the annual Arsenal FC SEMS conference which ran for 9/10 years from 2011.

Colin has visited many sporting environments including a number of NBA, NHL, NFL, Major League Baseball teams and major universities to broaden his knowledge of other facilities and methods utilised in managing sports injuries. Colin speaks regularly at sports medicine conferences at home and abroad and also guest lectures at universities in the UK. He is currently co-director of The Lewin Sports Injury Clinic in East London/ Essex and also works for the FA with the Para football teams as well as providing the Medical Team for SoccerAid for UNICEF every year with his cousin Gary Lewin.

Colin’s presentation, “Soft Skills in Professional Sport” will share insights from Colin’s 30 year career in sports medicine and consider the importance of effective communication, organisational and leadership skills.

Find out more and register

7th November at 7 pm – Claire Robertson, Physiotherapist @clairepatella and Wimbledon Clinics

Claire Robertson qualified in 1994 with a BSc(hons) in Physiotherapy. She has since obtained her MSc Physiotherapy in 2003 and PGCE in 2006. Claire has worked in the NHS, academia and private practice and currently runs a specialist patellofemoral clinic at Wimbledon Clinics, spending an hour per patient and liaising closely with their treating clinician. Claire is also the physiotherapist for the Warren Smith Ski Academy.

Claire has lectured internationally and has many research papers and editorials published in internationally peer-reviewed journals. She is also a reviewer herself for Physiotherapy Research International, Physical Therapy in Sport, Clinical Anatomy and Physiotherapy. Claire runs her own post-graduate course on patellofemoral problems for physiotherapists.

Claire sits on the committee for the British Patellofemoral Society and is on the sub-committee of BASK (British Association for Surgery of the Knee) for developing best practice guidelines for patella instability.

Claire has always enjoyed sports and played tennis to GB standard as a junior. She has a love of all outdoor sports, particularly skiing and hiking. She has two children and understands the difficulties of combining rehabilitation with a busy life!

“Patellofemoral Update”

In this presentation, Claire will share her experience and research to talk about rehabilitation of patients with Patellofemoral pain (PFP). She will talk about how to integrate strength, flexibility and movement retraining with tips on how to manage kinesiophobia and fear avoidance. She will discuss challenges around exercising with pain and will explore keeping runners running!

Be the First to Know About the Next Event of the Injury Rehab Network

Register your interest using the form above to get all the updates on future Injury Rehab Network events. Why not join the LinkedIn group too? To find out more, contact Andrew Watson at andrew@sterosport.co.uk / 0800 978 8301.

Please enter your details into the form below along with any questions or comments and a member of our team will be happy to provide you with more information: