LBU expert supports Great Britain Flag Football on road to European glory

Eleanor’s role with Great Britain

LBU lecturer Eleanor Travis was part of GB Women’s squad, serving as Head Sports Therapist, a role she has held since 2018.

Over the course of the European competition, Eleanor provided a variety of services to the players including recovery (land and hydro-based), manual therapy, injury assessments, electrical stimulation, pitch-side first aid, strapping, hydration preparation and warm-ups.

Eleanor said: “Working at a tournament is not an enviable job. For five days straight you work around the clock to ensure the needs of the team are met and that nothing is missed. Despite the hard-work, it’s one of the most enjoyable jobs. There is never a dull moment working with this team.”

Leeds Beckett Master’s students on the Sport and Exercise Therapy and Sports Medicine degree courses supported athlete testing and pitch-side first aid at training camps in the build-up to the competition. Students commented that this was a ‘great hands-on learning experience’ and helped them to ‘understand pitch-side skills better’.

“Preparation for the tournament has not always been smooth sailing, with weather restricting training camp duration and injuries in the squad. However, LBU students have been integral to this success.” Eleanor said.

Prior to the European Championship, Eleanor helped coordinate a research project involving academics and practitioners from across the world. Data was collected from teams involved in the tournament, with the project aim to support development of the sport through gathering valuable insights that can help optimise performance and reduce injury risks.

Eleanor said “This collaborative work lays the groundwork for future research in this sport. It is exciting to see the sport develop.”

Eleanor’s role with Great Britain

Eleanor tasted European gold with Team GB for the first time in her career, having been part of the squad that claimed silver in the 2019 competition in Israel.

“Due to the pandemic restricting the team from travelling to the World Championships and the World Games, this European tournament meant a lot as it allowed the team to show the world what we could do.”

“To win gold was special for the whole team and its supporters, including the Great Britain Men’s team who secured 6^th place in the competition and supported us the whole way.”

The European Championships had many highlights for Eleanor but none more so than the experience of the final game against Spain.

“The highlight of my trip has to be working pitch-side during the final game. The final whistle brought a sight I won’t forget quickly - pure elation radiating from the players and staff.

“Working behind the scenes as a sports therapist you see all the blood, sweat and tears that goes into being a successful team and this team couldn’t be any more deserving of their gold medal.”

Great Britain’s men’s and women’s teams will now set their sights on the IFAF World Championships, set to take place in Finland in 2024.

Get involved in Flag Football

Flag football, the non-contact version of American Football, is a fast, dynamic and accessible sport that is seeing a fast rise in participation across the world. The sport is one of nine shortlisted for a potential inclusion in the 2028 Olympics.

You can get involved in the sport, with team’s local to Leeds and further adrift. If you’re interested in trying flag football, visit the British American Football (BAFA) website, where more details about the sport can be found. Alternatively, follow BAFA Flag on Instagram.

Eleanor says “Flag football has a community like no other I have seen whilst working in sport. Everyone involved in the game is hugely welcoming and supportive of each other.”

“There are large tournaments held in Europe each year, with a great competitive atmosphere. People travel to these tournaments to compete but also to socialise and visit new places. This year we travelled to Holland to take part in the 2023 King bowl Tournament.”

To hear more about the European Championships from GB’s gold medallists themselves, listen to the HNC podcast.

Photography credit: Andy Keith and Great Britain Flag Football’s Research team.