Sports and Exercise Therapy students support England Women during 2021 Rugby League World Cup

The students were able to offer their expertise in soft tissue massage to help ensure the players were either well prepared or recovered physically and mentally to take to the field and perform at their best. The opportunity also gave students an insight into the highly demanding, pressured, and ever-changing nature of working in professional sport.

Dr Ieuan Cranswick, academic placement co-ordinator for Sport and Exercise Therapy, visited the students during their placement and caught up with some of the players and lead physiotherapist to get their perspective on the students’ involvement and the impact it had on their World Cup campaign.

Leah Burke - England, St Helens Wing and Leeds Beckett University Graduate

“I think they’ve done really well, especially coming into an environment like this which is so intense, being with an international team competing in a World Cup. I think they have adapted really well. They have gone into it like they would have treating anybody else within a clinic environment. I think they’ve worked really well with us as a team and their work has definitely helped with our recovery.

"I think when we have got these big intense games mixed with short turn arounds between matches, any little bit of recovery is massive. We don’t necessarily get massages all the time throughout the season, I think it’s one of those things that we could maybe get more of. I think it’s massive that we’re getting it regularly after every game or before the game, and it’s great having the amount of students that are coming in and wanting to help. We get 40 minutes and it’s just that little bit extra, that 1% extra, that we might need going into the next game."

Courtney Winfield-Hill - England, Leeds Rhinos Scrum-Half

“I really enjoy just watching them use it as a learning opportunity. If I ask for something and they’re not quite sure they’ve called one of the physios over and just said “look can you just refresh me on this” and it’s been really cool. I think that’s awesome. I think we are very mindful of the position that they’re in. You know they are not full time, multi-year qualified, as yet. They are still in their training and it serves two purposes here. One, obviously to get us ready to perform and put us in a space to put physical performances out on the pitch. But, in turn we know that it’s a space for them to learn and continue to grow in their profession.

"You look at the physical performance and returns from the sessions. I love it for mental returns. For just 40 minutes just to lay down and chill out and switch off, particularly if it is post-match or the next day. Just to be able to switch off, sometimes there’s a few painful bits we’ve got to go through to get nice and deep, but I think we often underestimate that mental switch off as well.

"The students were awesome! A strong point for them was seeking support from the medical staff, if they were not quite sure to continue that learning, and the relationships they built with us. They take the time to get to know you, even if they don’t have you multiple times on the run. I really enjoyed that. I’ve really enjoyed the fact that some of them are coming to a game, they want to actually come and watch us. So, that has been really special. Finally, last Saturday we were late getting back from Wigan. On a Saturday night, we were an hour and half late and they were still here. Like that just says to me a commitment to their learning and commitment to us. I was really impressed and grateful for that.”

Chris Melling - England Programmes Physiotherapist and Medical Co-Ordinator

“From the moment we first spoke and discussed the opportunity for you all to be involved there has been nothing but enthusiasm and a willingness to help, learn and understand the demands and needs of professional athletes.

"Students were punctual, arriving early for sessions, setting up promptly in the space provided and just got stuck in with the task in hand. We tried to work out a system where players could just book onto slots for any of the therapists at the sessions and this seemed to work quite well. Some players even requested particular therapists at future sessions based on the quality of the Massage provided.

"One session was significantly delayed after Match 2 from Wigan – Therapists at short notice were asked to wait for over 90 minutes for us to get back from the match to Leeds Beckett. None of the students complained, they appreciated that sport can sometimes be reactive, and that the need to have flexible working within professional sport is a desirable characteristic for staff & students.  Students said they appreciated the opportunity and were willing to sacrifice their own plans to help the team in their bid for World Cup Glory.

"I would like to send my thanks to all the students and I know the Players were very grateful and they wouldn’t have been able to perform so consistently well, without the additional care provided in the way of Soft Tissue Massage. I hope the students enjoyed the experience and placement.

"It has been a pleasure to get to know them as a group, and I hope we have been able to provide them with a fantastic and worthwhile learning opportunity.”

Overall, the England women’s performances were amazing on the field racking up three considerable wins over Brazil, Canada, and Papua New Guinea, which speaks volumes about their physical performances and the potential positive impact our Leeds Beckett students may have had on their recovery.

Unfortunately, England were knocked out in the semi-finals by New Zealand, but the University is extremely proud of the squad for their achievements during the tournament and of the part our students played supporting the teams throughout the World Cup.