NEWS: Working with the PFA and P3RFORM

It has been really pleasing to start working on a new initiative with the Professional Footballers Association, which is an extension of the work I have been doing for a number of years.

A company called P3RFORM are based at the Football Association’s (FA) HQ at St George’s Park near Burton.

They manage the PFA’s support to professionals who have usually, long-term injuries. Each Monday, between six and nine of them will register at St George’s Park for a week’s intensive rehab.

Normally that is for injuries like ACL tears, Achilles and hamstrings and some of those players will be on their way back from surgery for those injuries too.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are pretty full-on days and then on Friday, updated reports are sent back to their clubs.

I have been involved with this, through P3RFORM for the last three years and it has been a fantastic learning experience and very rewarding too.

Professional

This year, P3RFORM have progressed to supporting players who are not looking to get back into professional football but do want to play at a semi-pro level with ‘regular’ jobs to support their income.

Having been paid to play the game at some stage, they have a lifetime membership of the PFA but a week’s rehab at St George’s Park is now impractical because they would need time off work to attend.

So, P3RFORM have come up with the idea of running a scheme where these players are referred to local physios and sports therapists for support, treatment and rehab but work that is done over numerous weeks and at a time to suit.

That’s where I come in.

These players are referred to me and the team at Optimum where we can give those who live in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area support like they would get on a week’s camp – but over several weeks to suit their working and family life.

Fitness

Our aim is obviously to get them back to fitness, whether that be recovery from a hamstring, ankle, hip, knee injury or whatever so they can return to playing at a regional level.

We have only just started but I can see it being just as rewarding as the week-long camps.

So, if you are an injured member of the PFA, contact your association and you could access rehab and therapy through Game Changer Performance and, subsequently, if you live in the area, Optimum Derby.

It’s a great programme and a real commitment from the PFA to look after the country’s footballers even after they have stopped playing at the very top level.

READ MORE: Blog: How to rehab a hamstring injury.