Matt Abbott
Prestwich
Summary
A highly skilled Sport and Orthopedic Physiotherapist with a background in professional and international sport, offering a unique blend of clinical expertise, high-performance environment experience, and patient-focused care. Proven ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, manage complex caseloads, and support patients through all stages of injury, recovery, and return to sport. Passionate about optimizing movement, reducing injury risk, and enhancing long-term outcomes through tailored rehabilitation strategies.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work history
Head Physiotherapist
Everton Women
01.2025 - Current
- Develop and implement the club’s medical strategy across first team, academy, and women’s teams.
- Ensure alignment with the club’s performance and football philosophy.
- Lead all clinical services including physiotherapy, sports medicine, rehabilitation, and return-to-play processes.
- Supervise the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of injured players.
- Oversee load management and injury prevention strategies.
- Recruit, manage, and mentor a multidisciplinary medical and performance team (doctors, physiotherapists, rehab specialists, sports scientists).
- Facilitate regular medical meetings and performance reviews
- Ensure appropriate medical coverage for all training sessions and fixtures, both home and away.
- Be the primary point of contact for emergencies and injury management during matches.
- Provide medical briefings to coaching staff and club management.
- Maintain clear communication with players regarding their health, fitness status, and rehabilitation progress.
- Manage confidentiality and data protection in line with medical ethics and legal standards.
- Liaise with external specialists, consultants, hospitals, and medical institutions for advanced treatment.
- Coordinate with national team medical departments when players are on international duty.
- Ensure compliance with league, FA, UEFA, or FIFA medical protocols.
- Maintain up-to-date player medical records and manage medical audits.
- Stay current with advancements in sports medicine, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.
- Attend all consultations, procedures and surgical interventions to support players making informed decisions.
- Integrate evidence-based practices and cutting-edge technologies into club operations.
Consultant Physio
England RFL
07.2024 - Current
- Advanced Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis: Conduct comprehensive evaluations of players' musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions, utilizing advanced techniques to inform treatment plans.
- Specialized Rehabilitation Programs: Design and implement individualized rehabilitation protocols for complex injuries, ensuring a safe and effective return to performance.
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with the medical, performance, and coaching teams to integrate physiotherapy into the overall care and performance strategy.
- Injury Prevention Strategies: Develop and oversee injury prevention programs tailored to the specific demands of rugby, including screening, conditioning, and recovery strategies.
- Matchday Medical Support: Provide on-site medical support during matches and training sessions, including emergency care, injury assessment, and immediate treatment.
- Player Education: Educate players on injury prevention, recovery strategies, and overall physical well-being to enhance performance and longevity.
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Engage in research activities to advance physiotherapy practices within rugby, applying the latest evidence to clinical decision-making.
- Leadership and Mentorship: Provide leadership and mentorship to junior physiotherapy staff, fostering professional development and maintaining high standards of care.
- Travel and Logistics Management: Coordinate and manage travel arrangements for away fixtures, ensuring all medical equipment and support are in place.
Head of Medical
Bradford City AFC
07.2024 - 01.2025
- Clinical Leadership: Oversee the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of all first-team and academy players.
- Injury Prevention: Develop and implement injury prevention strategies, including screening and conditioning programs tailored to individual and team needs.
- Rehabilitation Management: Lead the rehabilitation process for injured players, ensuring a safe and effective return to play.
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with medical, sports science, and coaching staff to integrate physiotherapy into the overall performance strategy.
- Medical Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date medical records for all players, ensuring compliance with club policies and legal requirements.
- Staff Management: Supervise and mentor junior physiotherapists and support staff, fostering a collaborative and professional environment.
- Matchday Support: Provide on-site medical support during matches and training sessions, including emergency care and injury assessment.
- Player Education: Educate players on injury prevention, recovery strategies, and overall physical well-being.
- Continuous Professional Development: Stay updated with the latest research and advancements in sports physiotherapy to ensure best practices are followed.
Lead England Programmes Physiotherapist
England RFL
01.2023 - 07.2024
Head of Medical
Wasps Women
05.2022 - 02.2023
Head of Academy Medicine
Wigan Warriors
Wigan
08.2020 - 11.2021
Head of Medical
AFC Wimbledon Ladies
Wimbledon
02.2019 - 07.2020
Infantry Soldier and PTI
Ministry of Defence
Edinburgh , Scotland
02.2012 - 02.2017
Education
Professional Doctorate - Elite Performance
UCLAN
MSc - Physiotherapy
Buckinghamshire New University
BSc (Hons) - Sports Rehabilitation
St Marys University
Diploma - Football Medicine
FIFA
Diploma - MSK Ultrasound
Medical University of Vienna
Skills
- HCPC - PH138921
- IMMOFP/PHICIS Certified
- UKAD Certified
- Medical Acupuncture
- Clinical reasoning skills which are underpinned with EVP
- Extensive experience in delivering physiotherapy in elite sport working with male and female athletes, including overseas travel
- Using GPS, IMG, VALD data ect to build and monitor rehab programmes
- Ability to foster and maintain relationships with key stakeholders
- Collaborated in surgical team environments, attending and assisting with pre- and post-operative assessments, ensuring seamless integration of rehabilitation protocols
- Contributed to surgical decision-making discussions, providing key insights into injury management and recovery trajectories based on clinical expertise
Accomplishments
Research & Education
- Co-authored or contributed to peer-reviewed publications on musculoskeletal rehabilitation and sports injury management.
- Presented at national conferences.
- Developed and led in-house CPD programs for junior physios and multidisciplinary teams.
Service Innovation
- Introduced new injury prevention protocol and KPIs that reduced soft tissue injuries by 22% over a season.
- Led the integration of VALD Performance Systems
- Attended and assisted with orthopedic surgeries, observing and coordinating with surgical teams to better understand clinical outcomes and enhance rehabilitation protocols. into rehab protocols at club level.
- Contributed to record-breaking injury-free periods or improved team availability metrics.
Timeline
Head Physiotherapist
Everton Women
01.2025 - Current
Consultant Physio
England RFL
07.2024 - Current
Head of Medical
Bradford City AFC
07.2024 - 01.2025
Lead England Programmes Physiotherapist
England RFL
01.2023 - 07.2024
Head of Medical
Wasps Women
05.2022 - 02.2023
Head of Academy Medicine
Wigan Warriors
08.2020 - 11.2021
Head of Medical
AFC Wimbledon Ladies
02.2019 - 07.2020
Infantry Soldier and PTI
Ministry of Defence
02.2012 - 02.2017
Professional Doctorate - Elite Performance
UCLAN
MSc - Physiotherapy
Buckinghamshire New University
BSc (Hons) - Sports Rehabilitation
St Marys University
Diploma - Football Medicine
FIFA
Diploma - MSK Ultrasound
Medical University of Vienna
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