Graduate Success Becoming A Games Maker

Caroline Manning tells her story after graduating from the University in Sports Therapy.

Olympic opportunity

Caroline independently chose to apply to be a Games Maker for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to work in the Medical Team. Caroline went through the interviewing selection process and achieved a place as a Games Maker. Her main role was a Sports Masseuse for the athletes where she worked at the Polyclinic at the Athletes Village, Stratford, treating those participating. Caroline also worked at various athletic training and warm-up tracks and at the Olympic Stadium during the Paralympic Games.

During the Paralympics, Caroline said: “I treated athletes during this time and needed to consider any disabilities and transitions to and from plinths. In particular, I learnt how to treat athletes with cerebral palsy and the considerations for amputee athletes.”

Caroline continued: “When situated at the Olympic Stadium, I was also given the opportunity to be part of the Field of Play Recovery Team. This consisted of a multidisciplinary medical team. I was part a team of three and my session covered Triple Jump, Javelin, Shot Put and any track events near our zone. During the Triple Jump, I was involved with assisting athletes with any treatment requirements during ‘real time’.

“I would definitely consider being involved with any further Summer or Winter Olympic/Paralympic Games events.”

Current role

Caroline has worked with Milton Keynes Dons FC for nearly five years, where she has assisted with the Youth Male Academy, the Elite Development Youth Male Centre, the Ladies First Team and the Girls Centre of Excellence. As well as working with Academy Physiotherapists, Caroline was given the lead as the main Sports Therapist for several teams.

Caroline has also been given the opportunity with BADMINTON England to work adhoc with the Junior England Performance team. Key involvement has included fitness screening tests, strength and conditioning exercises and also attended International tournaments to help with injury management.

Currently, Caroline has begun involvement with Milton Keynes Athletics Club to provide sports injury management and rehabilitation, as well as working with youth disability athletes.

Further to this, Caroline has achieved her Level 1 Tennis Coaching Assistant qualification and treats private clients from word of mouth on a mobile basis to allow her to treat non-sporting injuries also.

A placement to boost confidence

During Caroline’s second year at the University of Hertfordshire, she started volunteering to help build confidence: “This helped me to overcome my fears of having to make my own decisions when assessing an injury and to gain confidence when working with other medical professionals.”

University experience and advice

Caroline found that her degree provided her with a sound knowledge to take into the sporting world and utilise straight away.

As advice, Caroline thinks practicing your skills in a working environment to overcome your fears and to trust your decisions, is vital: “This is an important hurdle to get over when learning your profession and needs to be done before graduating, as you may find it hard to take this brave step without the support system of University.”