Back in January 2024, at a time when my social media accounts were threadbare placeholders awaiting the formal launch of GYH, one of the first connection requests I received was from Natalie Matchett, owner of Brierley Forest Golf Club in Nottinghamshire. At the time, I did not know Natalie, nor did I know of her golf club.
Following that initial brief interaction, our connection remained dormant, until December 2024, when Nat contacted me out of the blue with a proposal to collaborate.
She advised me that she was hosting a group of Physiotherapy and Sports Rehabilitation postgraduate students on a work placement assignment at Brierley Forest GC, and wanted to know if I’d consider speaking with them and recording a podcast together.
Before we’d even discussed any detailed brief, I felt compelled to agree to the collaboration.
Firstly, the very fact that a Golf Club would even consider hosting University placement students from a clinical background seemed abstract, as well as progressive all at the same time.
Secondly, the opportunity to hear fresh perspectives on the Golf industry from a younger (and less institutionalised) generation felt like an exciting and inherently valuable opportunity.
Fast forwarding to late January 2025, I arranged a briefing call with Nat and her students. Their energy and enthusiasm was infectious. Of a group comprising around 12 to 15 students, they collectively shared insights and thought provoking reflections, as well as posing several thoughtful questions.
When all was said and done, however, there were only 2 students who were willing to run the gauntlet (ie agree to take the microphone and be my guests on the GYH podcast!).
Enter stage left: Matthew Cope and Harvey Elliot, both of whom are currently studying a Masters degree in Physiotherapy at Sheffield Hallam University.
Shortly after completing their industrial placement assignments at Brierley Forest, I invited Matt and Harvey to further discuss their perspectives around the role of Physiotherapy in enhancing golfers’ performance and well-being, as well as:
How warm ups can increase club head speed and reduce 1st tee nerves (1m 16s)
How an on-site Physio clinic in Golf Clubs could lead to improvements in physical and mental health (1m 21s)
Top tips for injury prevention (1m 13s)
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