University College Offers Flexible learning Options for Sports Massage Therapists

The Centre for Short Courses and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham has recently designed a flexible way for sports massage therapists to work towards their ITEC (QCF) Level 5 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy. The Centre has launched a scheme, which allows practitioners to gain the qualification flexibly by studying five individual subjects, at a time to suit them. The course has been split into five ‘masterclasses’ on the knee; shoulders and elbows, hip; back; and psychology, pharmacology, nutrition and research. Each masterclass is available as a weekend course, and once all five subjects and a work logbook have been completed, students will receive their qualification, no matter how long it takes them. Each workshop touches on areas such as anatomy, physiology, postural and gait analysis, and neurology. Cindy Croucher-Wright, Business Manager for the Centre for Short Courses, commented, “We’ve listened to feedback from our students and tried to create a pathway for them to achieve a Level 5 qualification whilst balancing their work and other commitments.” Louise Simpson, who owns her own massage company Therapy4Fitness, recently completed the Level 4 qualification at St Mary’s and was keen to use this flexible approach to study for the Level 5 award. She said, “I really enjoyed the masterclass, particularly the hands on assessment. I would recommend the course to other sports massage therapists, especially those out in the field doing pitch side work or running their own clinic.” The next masterclass ‘The Shoulder and Elbow’ will run on 8th and 9th February. For more information, or to book call 020 8240 4321 or email shortcourses@stmarys.ac.uk