How to become a Sports Physio?

[ophqui]

Most professional clubs expect you to have at least completed your junior rotations before they'll look at you. You're right, most physios do something sport-based if their interested in it (football, athletics, tennis clubs etc all like to have a physio around) but you cant replace the experience you get in hospitals in terms of being a well rounded physio.

My advice? Pursue it as a hobby, do lots of post grad courses like taping, massage etc and find a club who will pay a bit (my current club pays 100 a week, plus i've just started doing some voluntary stuff with a premiership club's academy) and find a nice hospital job if you can. Then when you've done your rotations etc you can start looking for a position with a pro club.

Saying that I've heard of a couple of people who have walked straight into high level professional football, its not totally unheard of, i just think there are better ways

[TheSportsPhysiotherapist]

Hi Frogg6,

What the guys say above is true, gaining experience in the field of sports physiotherapy is important. With regards to doing a hospital rotation, I have talked to many physiotherapists who have had success in their career through both pathways (I know that's sitting on the fence).

My advice, follow your passion (no disrespect to the advice of others). If it truly is in sports - go there - otherwise you might find that you waste a year of your life.

Another thing to remember, is the importance of continuing professional development. Following undergrad completion you should do as many sports related courses feasible.

For a bit more info on the world of sports physio you can also check out the link below.

Hope this helps,

The Sports Physiotherapist