Oliver Bluff
Manchester
Summary
Graduate Sports Rehabilitator with three years of experience delivering injury assessment, rehabilitation, and pitch-side medical support across grass routes and semi-professional rugby union, international American Football, private clinical practice, and university sport. Currently working with Caldy RFC (English Champ), GB American Football, and the Men's Rugby Union (BUCS Super Rugby) & American Football programs with the Sports Injury Clinic at the University of Nottingham. Experienced in managing high level athletes, from injury through to return-to-play, utilising objective testing, evidence-based rehabilitation, and multidisciplinary collaboration to support athlete performance and availability.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Assistant First Team Therapist
Caldy RFC
Caldy
2024.08 - Current
- Provide Pitch-Side Trauma Cover
- Match Day Hawkeye Video Review
- Injury Assessment, Treatment and Rehab
- Gym and Pitch Rehab programmes
- MDT Communication
- Supervise and Mentor Student Therapists
Lead Therapist
University of Nottingham Men's Rugby Union
Nottingham
2025.09 - Current
- Pitch-side Trauma Cover
- Injury Assessment Treatment and Rehab
- Work Within a Wider MDT
- Club Communication: With pro and semi-pro clubs regarding dual contracted players
- Medical Governance: Ensuring compliance with RFU and BUCS
Clinical Sports Rehabilitator
University of Nottingham Sport
Nottingham
2023.07 - Current
- Assess and manage a varied caseload of private, student, and sporting patients
- Deliver evidence-informed rehabilitation programmes for musculoskeletal injuries
- Support and supervise undergraduate placement students within the clinic environment
Assistant Therapist
University of Nottingham Men's Rugby
Nottingham
2023.07 - 2025.09
- Pitch-side Trauma Cover
- Injury Assessment & Rehab
- Communication within an MDT
Assistant Therapist
GB American Football
2023.11 - Current
- Contact and Non-Contact Pitch-side Trauma Cover
- Injury Assessment & Rehab
- Working with Youth Athletes
Education
MSc - Sport and Exercise Medicine
University of Nottingham
Nottingham 2023.07 - 2024.09
BSc - Sports Rehab
University of Nottingham
Nottingham 2019.09 - 2023.06
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma - Sporting Excellence (Rugby)
Myerscough College
Preston 2017.09 - 2019.06
GCSEs -
Hazel Grove High School
2012.09 - 2017.07
Skills
- Hawkeye Video Review
- Use of VALD and Hawkin Testing Products
- Injury Assessment
- Rehab Programming
- Pitch-side Trauma Care
- Taping
- Pitch-side Return to Play
- MDT Communication
Accomplishments
May 2026
RFU England Universities Unsung Hero Award
Dedicated professional services staff, student volunteers, and behind-the-scenes academics who work tirelessly to support the rugby club.
July 2023
Services to Sports Rehab (Nottingham University In-house Award)
Outstanding contribution and achievement in Sport Rehabilitation at University.
July 2019
Zac Luty-Reed Commitment Award (Myerscough College)
This award honours students who demonstrate exceptional dedication, work ethic, and commitment to the rugby programme throughout the year.
Previous Professional Experience
- Derbyshire County Cricket (EPP Squad) , November 2025 - February 2026: Pitch-side, testing and injury rehab for pre-season.
- England North U20s , June 2025 - July 2025: Pitch-side trauma cover, injury assessment and injury rehab.
- Sheffield Tigers RFC First Team Therapist , January 2025 - May 2025 - Pitch-side trauma cover, injury assessment, and injury rehab.
- Forest Netball (Next Gen Squad) , August 2024 - January 2025: Pitch-side and injury rehab for pre-season.
- USA Touch Rugby , July 2024: Pitch-side trauma cover, injury assessment, injury rehab during touch rugby world cup (Voluntary).
- GB American Football Youth Euro Championship, 2024 & 2025: Pitch-side trauma cover, injury assessment, injury rehab and safeguarding of children.
- NLD RFU Men's & U20 , May 2024: Pitch-side trauma cover and injury assessment.
- West Bridgford RFC First Team Therapist , September 2023 – May 2024: Pitch-side trauma cover, injury assessment, and injury rehab.
- Indoor Hockey Masters Tournament Medical Team , March 2024 & March 2026: Pitch-side trauma cover and injury assessment.
Training and Certifications
- PHICIS Level 3 (Exp 2028)
- UKAD E-learning Certification
- Enhanced DBS (RFU and ECB)
- Full UK Driving Licence
Affiliations
- Brewing beer - recipe development and the brewing process.
- Mountaineering - including expedition planning and navigation (Qualified ML).
Timeline
Lead Therapist
University of Nottingham Men's Rugby Union
2025.09 - Current
Assistant First Team Therapist
Caldy RFC
2024.08 - Current
Assistant Therapist
GB American Football
2023.11 - Current
Clinical Sports Rehabilitator
University of Nottingham Sport
2023.07 - Current
Assistant Therapist
University of Nottingham Men's Rugby
2023.07 - 2025.09
MSc - Sport and Exercise Medicine
University of Nottingham
2023.07 - 2024.09
BSc - Sports Rehab
University of Nottingham
2019.09 - 2023.06
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma - Sporting Excellence (Rugby)
Myerscough College
2017.09 - 2019.06
GCSEs -
Hazel Grove High School
2012.09 - 2017.07