Physiotherapy to Further Develop Paralympic Service

 

by James Skitt - 03.02.12

The English Institute of Sport (EIS) has confirmed it’s commitment to developing a world leading Physiotherapy service for Paralympic sports by announcing that EIS Senior Physiotherapist Paul Martin is to assume the role of EIS Paralympic Technical Lead for Physiotherapy.

Martin, who has worked with Disability Swimming since 2003 and with athletes  from numerous other sports including Disability Athletics, Adaptive Rowing, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Basketball and Disability Sailing since joining the EIS in 2004, will be tasked with a remit to ensure that EIS Physiotherapy services meet the specific needs of Paralympic sports.

The EIS support a number of Paralympic sports throughout the country, working closely with coaches to tailor services both to the sport and the athletes themselves.

The new role has been created following an internal review which indicated that, whilst recognised for their individual expertise, practitioners with a Paralympic remit could add further quality, value and impact to the sports were they to have greater technical support.

Nik Diaper, EIS Head of Sport Science & Medicine for Paralympic Sport, explained: “Technical leadership is a key feature of the EIS because we are passionate about performance. It is important that our technical leadership model meets the specific needs of those practitioners who support Paralympic athletes and of course the athletes themselves. Paul’s role is an example of our commitment to developing practitioners with specific Paralympic expertise who in turn can have a greater performance impact.”

Martin said: “With the London 2012 Games just around the corner, helping to support and develop an already world-class group of practitioners working with Paralympic athletes is a very exciting prospect indeed.”

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