Cameron Lawrie

• Year of graduation: 2022
• Currently studying: Physiotherapy MSc at AECC University

There were quite a few reasons that I chose to study Sport Rehabilitation and Conditioning at the University of Northampton. Firstly, the facilities were one of the big things that stuck out to me, as well as how big the campus was. The University of Northampton wasn’t even on my list for open days, but I had a free weekend and I’m so glad I went, as going to UON was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Secondly, the course leader. At the open day, he really convinced me that I should study at UON and the course delivered everything that he promised, it did not let me down. I’ve learnt so much from the course leader and all the other amazing lecturers who teach Sport Rehabilitation and Conditioning.

The final reason is the progression – this course gave me so much aspiration for my future and where I want to work. It steered me in the right direction and gave me the key skills for being able to work in a professional environment.

I enjoyed the practical aspects of the course the most. It was very hands-on from the start, right the way through to the last day.

My favourite modules of the course were:

• Athlete Injury, Health and Wellbeing Management
• Manual Therapy
• Neuro Injury, Illness, Disease and Assessment
• Anatomy
• Mobilisation and Exercise for Spinal Conditions
• Sports Trauma
• Special Populations

All of these modules were amazing and so interactive throughout the three years of study.

It’s possible to undertake a placement on this course – I completed mine within two main areas. Firstly, I worked as a Student Sports Rehabilitator at Northampton Town Football Club (NTFC), FEP (Football Education Programme). I started this position at the beginning of my second year, working with Martin Dixon, who’s now the Head Sports Therapist at NTFC First Team. My role was to perform assessments, manual therapy, exercise rehabilitation and medical support on match day fixtures. This role led to me securing a job at NTFC Academy, which is where I worked with the U9’s to 18’s, performing the same sort of role.

Secondly, I worked within the Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Clinic at the University’s Waterside Campus. The SIRC clinic only opened during my final year, so I wasn’t able to do too many shifts, however I was able to put all the practical skills I’d learned over the three years into these shifts, as the patients were from all different population demographics, which was great.

Undertaking these placements benefitted me in many ways:

• I gained confidence in the skills I’d been taught so far during the degree
• I learnt a lot from my supervisor
• I was able to network at placements and got to know lots of people
• I was able to secure a job

I was also able to develop my employability skills in communication, leadership, confidence, working under pressure, and time management. As I gained employment from my placement, this helped me once I’d graduated, as I was able to get a reference from my supervisor, which I used in the application for the Master’s I’m now completing.

My tip for getting the most out of your placement would be that you get out what you put in. If you turn up to your placement and don’t bother too much, you won’t learn anything. But if you go into a placement switched on and ready to try hard and learn, you’ll take so much from it and you’ll be able to apply it throughout your whole career.

Whilst studying at UON, I took part in extra-curricular activities, including becoming a Therabody Educator and playing for the UON Hockey Team, in which I was Vice Captain in my final year. Becoming a Therabody Educator allowed me to network and meet so many different people within the industry, as well as learning about the science behind Therabody technology, which I then went on to teach to other people.

My studies have developed both my career and personal development. University was a big life experience for me as I had some ups and downs, but I came out of it a better person. It’s given me lots of opportunities, such as being offered an Internship at Gillingham Football Club first team after I graduated, where I worked with the Head of Medical – an amazing experience. It also enabled me to go on to study an MSc in Physiotherapy.

The skills and knowledge/understanding gained on my degree that are most useful in my current role are communication, anatomy, exercise prescription, manual therapy, leadership, and many more.

If I could give one piece of advice to undergraduates interested in this career path, it would be as I said before – you get out what you put in. So whether you’re at university or on a placement, try your hardest and you’ll get so much from it. I learnt so much from my time at UON and met the most amazing people.