! ROTHERHAM UNITED/SHEFFIELD HALLAM

STUDENT PARTNERSHIP

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Student Introduction Package

Prepared for: Placement Students from Sheffield Hallam University - Season 18/19

Prepared by: Paul Gambles, Head of Medical Services, Rotherham United FC 15th May 2018

Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance

! OVERVIEW

Placement

Rotherham United are pleased to offer Sheffield Hallam University Physiotherapy students the op- portunity of placements with their Player Performance and Medical Services Department during the 2018/19 English Football League (EFL) Season. Whilst on placement students will be able to view and participate in the monitoring of overall player performance in a proactive manner using the resources and clinical knowledge/reasoning of our team of Physiotherapists, Performance Manager and Data Analyst.

As part of your placement you will be expected to fit seamlessly into the multi-disciplinary team taking advice and guidance from all members of staff to enhance your experience and learning. The placement is designed to provide you with both observational and practical situations in which to develop your skills through the expert guidance of our clinical team. Each student will have an individual mentor assigned to them whilst with the club who should be their first point of contact for any problems experienced during their placement period.

The placement opportunity offered is within the environment of a professional football club and although each student will be treated with the utmost respect and professionalism, YOU must re- member you are coming into a working environment where ‘colourful’ language is often the norm and raised voices can often be heard by way of dispute or ‘banter’. Should you be easily offended by such language or find ‘banter’ difficult to deal with on an individual basis - you may wish to consider whether this is the best environment in which to place your self.

If however you feel confident in your ability to deal with such situations, I am sure you will enjoy the learning environment and opportunities to enhance your experience in a fully functional treat- ment room, gym and out on the grass with elite athletes.

This will be unlike any other placement you have experienced in the past or possibly in future and is different from NHS placements, in that you will be expected to spend a large amount of time with individual injured players, possibly providing treatment and rehabilitation on a one-to-one ba- sis over large periods of time through the day, whilst guided by your mentor. We do not work off appointments or time slots and players are constantly monitored for improvement, with other ar- eas of the body being worked and kept in peak fitness, even if they are unable to work their in- jured limb etc. It is therefore important that you are able to think ‘outside the box’ and holistically, not just treating the injury.

Our methodology in dealing with injuries and rehabilitation is to use current up-to-date methods and reasoning to provide the best possible opportunity for players to recover safely and quickly without fear of re-injury using the experience of our staff from various backgrounds. It is hoped that the experience you bring in which ever sport you specialise will enhance our team and bring a further viewpoint into the functionality of elite sportspersons and variations on activities which may be used during the rehabilitation process to improve further the service we provide.

Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance Logistics and Location

You will be based at Rotherham United FC’s recently renovated training facility at Rawmarsh in Ro- therham. There may also be occasions where you may be asked to accompany a member of staff to an external gym, swimming pool or alternative rehabilitation facility for activities such as Hot Yoga, Trampolining or testing.

Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance Rotherham United FC

Opportunities for you to travel with the first team to either home or away games may occur. How- ever, permission to do so may be required from both management of RUFC and your University lecturers/placement leader due to these circumstances being outside normal hours of practice and possibly in excess of the number of hours required of your placement. Such opportunities will also be dependant on the current 1st team fixture list and may not be available to all students offered a placement at the club.

ADDRESS

TRAINING GROUND Rotherham United FC Training Ground, Green Lane, Rawmarsh, ROTHERHAM, S62 6LA HOME GROUND AESSEAL New York Stadium, New York Way, ROTHERHAM, S60 1AH

Travel

Travel to and from the training ground and/or stadium will be at the expense of the student. Any journeys required during the working the day (to swimming pools, gym etc) will be undertaken by a club member of staff and should not cause any further cost to the student, who will accompany either member of staff or players. Students will not be expected or allowed to drive players to any venues as they will be unable to claim expenses for such journeys and will also not have any in- surance liability in case of accident.

Buses are available to and from the top of Green Lane, Rawmarsh with a short walk down the drive to the training ground should this be required. Details of buses and trains can be provided on request.

There is a train station in the centre of Rotherham, with a service from various local towns and cities and the main bus station is just a short walk from there, with regular bus service towards both the training ground and stadium, although the stadium is just a 5minute walk through the town.

Students travelling by car will find ample parking in the car park which is shared with Roundwood Golf Club, and is signposted as such, as you drive through Rawmarsh and at the end of Green Lane. Sat Nav Directions can be found by entering postcode S62 6LA.

Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance Expectations

Student

It is important that students arrive with certain expectations and goals/objectives which they would like to achieve whilst on placement with Rotherham United. We would ask that you provide us with a CV or resume so we are able to ascertain what skills you bring with you. It is also imper- ative that you set your self some objectives so that we can measure the success of your placement and so that both parties are able to learn fully from the experience. On behalf of the club we would expect that you behave in a thoroughly professional manner whilst with us as you will not only be representing Sheffield Hallam University but also Rotherham United Football Club and therefore expect the same high standards as we do from our staff and players.

We will endeavour to go through your objectives with your placement mentor each week to assess where you are and how you are coping/achieving.

It will also be expected that you show a level of theoretical and practical knowledge associated with your current level of learning within the university environment and you may at some stage later in your placement be asked to provide a presentation to your peers within the department or playing staff on a subject of interest.

On arrival at your placement you should also provide your tutor with all necessary forms provided by the University to complete your placement paperwork, marking criteria for your appropriate block, marking sheets and attendance records etc.

Rotherham United FC

You can expect a designated mentor assigned to you for your period of placement who will in con- junction with his colleagues oversee your learning and who you should report any issues to as they arise. The person assigned as your mentor will be the most appropriate member of staff at the time, bering in mind their current workload, aswell as area of expertise but also from the informa- tion gleamed from your CV looking at areas of experience, expertise and future interest.

You can expect a respectful and professional working environment ideal for learning different as- pects of treatment and rehabilitation in an elite sporting environment, from vastly experienced and qualified members of staff. You can also expect to receive fair and objective feedback on your per- formance, attitude and behaviour whilst with us from a small but supportive department.

As a group of staff we are always looking to improve our practice and reputation within the sport and as individuals we have many connections both with football and other sports.The ability to shine within such a department will not go unrecognised by the staff who are often asked by oth- ers if they are able to recommend people for jobs or roles at other clubs, this may become a great opportunity to establish a name for your self and also provide valuable evidence of employability when looking to begin your career.

Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance Learning

This is likely to take many forms, but the majority of time will be spent in a one:one learning situa- tion with your mentor or other member of staff. There may be occasions where you asked to com- plete some self directed learning or complete tasks whilst being supervised or overseen. It is high- ly unlikely that you will be asked to do any activity independently or left to your own devices, however students who show a higher level of learning and ability may be provided with greater independence toward the end of their placement period.

There are a number of learning resources available to students, including, journals, textbooks and internet via the clubs wifi network within the building, should you be required to research any projects or subjects.

Please let your mentor know if you have any outstanding projects or commitments through univer- sity which may impact on your time or you require time to complete these as we will endeavour to be as supportive as possible in these circumstances.

Start & Finish times/ Hours of Attendance

As with any other professional football club, hours of attendance and start and finish times often change at short notice and may not follow any strict pattern. We will endeavour to provide you with a draft timetable at the start of your placement which will cover your period of attendance, taking account fixtures as they stand at the time of writing. However, changes in this timetable may take place at short notice due to fixture postponement or days off being granted or cancelled by the manager at his discretion. Please make us aware as early as possible any requirements re start/finish times due to transport issues, - times of trains etc or if you have any pre-booked ap- pointments during your period with the club.

Attendance at evening games or weekend matches is not compulsory, but would be encouraged in order that you experience at least game situation and the work that is involved by all backroom staff in the build up and process of a game. Whether this is in addition to your normal working hours or part of them is open to discussion between yourself, mentor and University placement co- ordinator.

Unfortunately, in football there is nothing such as a typical week, particularly now we have gained promotion to the Championship, which means that there are enhanced possibilities of games being shown on Sky on different nights and International breaks in certain months. Students will be ex- pected to fit around the departments workload, should this present problems you should let us know ASAP so we are able to contact your University and make alternative arrangements if possi- ble.

Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance !

DEPARTMENT OF PLAYER PERFORMANCE

Within the department there are currently four staff working on a full-time basis. The current full- time staff consist of;

Head of Player Performance - Ross Burbeary,

Head of Medical Services - Paul Gambles

Head Physiotherapist - Stephen Gilpin

Data Scientist - Adam Pulford

Aswell as these current members of staff we frequently send players to other specialist clinicians for advice, guidance and treatment, including - Podiatrists, Dentist, Chiropractor and Chiropodist, with our consultations and referrals influencing our overall treatment and rehabilitation pro- grammes. It is therefore important that during your placement you not only feel comfortable work- ing in a small team but are also comfortable talking and dealing with other clinicians in specialist fields seeking their advice and guidance on areas which may be outside your sphere of practice or expertise.

Ross Burberry - ‘Ross’ - Player Performance Manager

University graduate Ross joined the Millers at the back end of the 2016/17 campaign, initially on an interim basis before becoming full time Head of Player Performance upon the appointment of Paul Warne as the club’s first team manager. Ross graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a degree in Sports Science in 2007 before adding a Strength and Conditioning degree to his CV from Salford University.

He has primarily worked fitness in football and ice hockey primarily and his career has included spells with the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest. Before his ar- rival with the Millers he was Head of Science and Conditioning at NHL Ice Hockey club Buffalo Sabres in the USA.

Paul Gambles - ‘Gams’ - Head of Medical Services

Paul arrived at the club with over 20 years experience in professional sport, having also worked in ice hockey with Sheffield Steelers, where he was part of the Steelers’ medical team who won the 2016/17 Play-off campaign. Paul has worked in professional football, at club level with Sheffield United and with the Football Association, regionally and nationally filling a number of different roles. He has experience as a physiotherapist, medical tutor, educator, and strength & conditioning coach for a number of clubs around the country. He has also worked for the Professional Foot- ballers Association building a network of contacts and associates in the profession. His sporting experience is not limited to football and ice hockey, he has also treated various athletes from dif- ferent sports from track and field and boxing through to wrestling and speedway. Away from sport, Paul has worked in a variety of roles, in the NHS, private practice and Occupational Health, work-

Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance ing with members of the Armed Forces, South Yorkshire Police and managing a successful rehabili- tation centre for the injured.

In his youth, Paul spent time with Chesterfield FC and Nottingham Forest before a knee injury in his late teens put an end to his hopes of a playing career, prompting his interest in sports injury and rehabilitation.

Stephen Gilpin - ‘Gilps’ - Assistant Head of Medical

Stephen joined the Millers in the summer of 2017 having previously worked for local rivals Sheffield Wednesday. He arrived at the club as assistant to Head of Medical Paul Gambles and can call on four years of experience at Hillsborough, in addition to time working for Anston Physiother- apy Limited. He began his university education at Sheffield Hallam University before going on to study an (MSc) in Sports Physiotherapy at University of Bath.

Adam Pulford - ‘Ads’ - Data Scientist

Adam joined the Millers as the clubs’ data scientist for the 2017/18 season after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a first-class degree in Sport and Exercise Science. He had gained experience in professional Football working within both the youth and first-team set-up at Oldham Athletic before completing a Sports Science internship with Rotherham United in his final year. It was during this time Adam excelled in Data Science having completed his final year dissertation using the Millers’ player monitoring data. Following this, he was asked to join Rotherham the fol- lowing season and he is now looking forward to developing with the club and continuing his career in professional football.

The Team with successful Salford University Student - Matt Lowndes

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Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The Medical Room

! The Gym

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Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance !

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Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance ! Facilities

The current training ground has recently been refurbished and consists of two full size grass pitch- es with area for running around the pitches.

The building itself consists of a fully equipped gym with free weights, CV machines, weights sta- tions and dedicated area for stretching and self management programmes.

We also have a 3 plinth treatment room, with various forms of electrotherapy available aswell as manual therapy techniques, mobilisations and manipulations, which overlooks the training pitches and has direct access into the gym for supervision and monitoring of rehabilitation and training programmes.

A dining room which also allows conference and meeting facilities is used each day for meals at breakfast and lunch and used by management/coaching staff to deliver feedback and briefings on opposition or changes in tactics.

We have a number of changing rooms which can be used and it is asked that any female students contact us in advance so we can make changing facilities available to them on a individual basis and when required.

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Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance ! MANAGEMENT & COACHING STAFF

Rotherham United FC is a small tightly run football club where staff have regular interaction and are encouraged by the manager (Paul Warne) to speak freely regarding any concerns they may have. We are constant looking at ways of improving our practice with as clinicians, coaches and players, therefore occasions may arise where you are asked your opinion on a players fitness and rehabilitation and at what stage you feel their current recovery is. Clinical decisions such as this and deadlines should always be discussed with your clinical supervisor before making others aware of any dates or games in which players may be involved. However your opinion on the players progress and their condition/attitude will be welcomed to give the management team an overall view of their treatment and rehabilitation programme.

* Staff pen pictures are provided for all staff that you may have any interaction with during your stay with the club. Please feel free to discuss with them at the appropriate times their experience in football in relation to rehabilitation and injury and how it may have helped them in the past.

Paul Warne - ‘Gaffer’ - Manager

No stranger to Rotherham United supporters, Paul Warne hung up his boots at the end of the 2011/12 season in order to further his career as a coach. ‘Warney’ has experience of being in the dugout for the Millers in the past, filling the role of joint Caretaker-Manager alongside Andy Liddell following Ronnie Moore’s departure in 2010.

Following the arrival of Andy Scott, Warne played a key role in working with the younger players, reserve team as well as assisting with the fitness side of the club. He reverted to a full-time fitness coach under Steve Evans, a role he continues to perform under Neil Redfearn.

In his two spells as a player with the Millers, Warne accumulated over nine years, including back to back promotions to the Championship in his first spell, before playing a part in the campaign that resulted in a play off final in 2010, where he was an unused sub. Between his spells in South York- shire, Warne played for Oldham Athletic and Yeovil, picking up the 2007/08 Supporters’ Player of the Year with the former. He was granted a testimonial in 2013 after more than 10 years service to the club in two-spells, and was a key member of Steve Evans' backroom team that achieved back- to-back promotions to The Championship. Warne then served the club under the management of Neil Redfearn, Neil Warnock, Alan Stubbs and Kenny Jackett in his role as fitness coach before the latter’s departure saw him take caretaker charge of the first team in November 2016.

In January of the following year, it was announced that Warne would continue as the interim boss until the end of the 2016/17 campaign, having picked up wins against the likes of Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City. On 5th April 2017, the club announced that Warne would become the first team manager on a permanent basis.

Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance ! Richie Barker - ‘Richie’ - Assistant Manager

Assistant manager Richie Barker is another familiar face to supporters on the coaching staff, as a result of him enjoying two spells as a player for the Millers, both of which saw him play alongside first team manager Paul Warne at Millmoor and more recently Don Valley Stadium. His playing ca- reer began with near-neighbours Sheffield Wednesday, where he failed to make a senior appear- ance having come through the club’s youth system.

He had notable spells with Brighton and Hove Albion and Macclesfield Town before his first stint with the Millers and he would go on to enjoy fruitful periods with Mansfield Town and Hartlepool United, before rejoining Rotherham during their time in Sheffield. The 41-year-old called time on his playing career following his second spell with the Millers and would go on to turn his hand to coaching.

Youth roles at Sheffield United and Scunthorpe United were followed by his first stint in the top job at Bury on a caretaker basis, which resulted in the club being promoted to League One and him subsequently taking on the role full time. Spells as manager of Crawley Town and Portsmouth are also listed on his CV, before he joined MK Dons as assistant to Karl Robinson.

His most recent post was as number two to the same manager at Charlton Athletic and he joined the Millers and Paul Warne for the final game of the 2016/17 campaign.

Matt Hamshaw - ‘Hammy’ - 1st Team Coach

Rotherham-born Matt, is no stranger to the Millers, previously lining up against them for Maccles- field Town and Notts County in recent years, as well as being in opposition at Don Valley and Mill- moor for Mansfield Town and of course Sheffield Wednesday. However, what people may not realise is that whilst he’s been a thorn in the side of the Millers on the field, he had been working with his hometown club as a part-time coach with various youth teams. After his contract with Macclesfield Town ran out in the summer of 2012, Matt made the switch into full-time coaching with the Millers, whilst continuing to play in the Evo-Stick League for Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Taking on the role of Development Phase Lead Coach he oversaw the development of the 12-16 year old's at New York, whilst also coaching youngsters at Thomas Rotherham College. In the close season of 2015 he stepped up to the role of Head of Academy Coaching. Following Paul Warne's appointment as interim manager upon the departure of Kenny Jackett, Hamshaw was given the role of interim assistant as he stepped in to the first team fold. After the announcement that Warne would continue as the temporary boss until the end of the season, it was confirmed that the Rotherham-born coach would continue to assist for the remainder of the 2016/17 campaign.

Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance Mike Pollitt - ‘Polly’ - Goalkeeping Coach

Farnworth-born goalkeeping coach Mike Pollitt is another familiar name and face to the AESSEAL New York Stadium faithful after enjoying two spells with the club during their ascension to the Championship under then- boss Ronnie Moore. Pollitt first joined the Millers from Sunderland in 1998 and enjoyed a prosperous start to life in South Yorkshire as he and his teammates began their climb up the pyramid. He briefly left for a one-year spell with local rivals Chesterfield before returning to Millmoor. He enjoyed four years in the second tier with Ronnie Moore and John Breckin and was widely-regarded as one of the best goalkeepers outside of the Premier League which attracted the attention of Wigan Athletic, who gave him the opportunity to ply his trade in English football’s top flight.

Pollitt would play out his career with the Latics and become a respected figure at the DW Stadium which earned him the opportunity to take up a role as the club’s goalkeeping coach after retiring in 2014. The Manchester United youngster left Wigan in October 2016 as Gary Caldwell departed the club and joined the Millers following Andy Dibble's departure in January 2017.

All the Staff for the 2018/19 League 1 Play-Off Final Success v Shrewsbury

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Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance ! MISCELLANEOUS

Kit

All students should be able to provide and ensure that they have adequate footwear for the condi- tions in which they are required to work, e.g. football boots, trainers and flip-flops should they be required to attend a pool. Other kit will be provided to each student on their first day to ensure that they look and feel part of the team. Any kit provided by the club MUST however be returned to the club on completion of your placement.

Such items of kit are likely to be t-shirt, shorts, tracksuit bottoms and sweatshirt etc, with a water- proof or coat also provided as necessary dependant on conditions, place of working and availabili- ty.

Food

Food is not provided by the club at lunch, however students are free to use the dining room facili- ties when eating their own food and can also make use of fruit/drinks etc at breakfast which are provided by the club. No food or drink is allowed in either the medical room or gym - water only in both venues.

Emergency Contact

Should you have any problems in attending your placement on any particular day due to illness or unforeseen circumstances you will be provided with an emergency contact number. It is your re- sponsibility not only to contact your university placement supervisor but also your Rotherham United mentor and we would ask that you do this by no later than 8.30am on the morning in ques- tion

Health & Safety

The health & safety of all staff and students based at Rotherham United is paramount to the club and you will be provided with an induction on your arrival which will provide you with details of what to do should there be a fire or emergency situation which requires an evacuation of the building or stadium.

You will also be given a full run through of any equipment used within the medical room and gym- nasium before you are required to use it or explain/demonstrate to others its use.

Clinical Placement Supervisor Visits

Any visits by your Placement supervisor are likely to be arranged in advance between your Univer- sity supervisor and Placement Mentor at a mutual time convenient for all parties. It is likely that the visit will occur at your placement location and your supervisor may wish to see you demon- strating some appropriate skill or work with one of the players, therefore some preparation may be required prior to the visit to facilitate this.

Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance Rules & Fines

As with many professional elite sports clubs, there are various rules and regulations which are po- liced by staff and players running in conjunction with a fines system for any rules broken.

Although it is not expected that any student will be fined - it is fully expected that students will abide by the rules of the staff and players and treat the rules with the same respect shown by the club employees.

Rotherham United FC - Department of Player Performance