The Team:

Ian Blackburn – Lead Physiotherapist

Elitephysio is led by Ian Blackburn who has worked in high performance sport for more than ten years with the world’s top athletes at some of the most prestigious sporting events including:

Beijing 2008 & London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games
Tour de France
Protour Cycling events throughout Europe
World & European Championships

Ian has experience across a diversity of sports including; Athletics Cycling, Triathlon, Swimming, Gymnastics, PGA Golf, WTA Tennis, Premiership Football, International Rugby, and has worked in senior positions with National Sports Governing Bodies, UK Athletics, English Institute of Sport, British University Sports, Professional Cycling Teams & individual riders (Cervelo Test Team, MTN-Qhubeka-Samsung, British Cycling, Sky Professional Cycling, IAM-Cycling, BMC, Orica-Greenedge). Ian is currently the Lead Physiotherapist for MTN-Qhubeka-Samsung Professional Cycling Team and NGB Lead Physiotherapist for Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball.

The skills required for Elite Performance sport are demonstrated through a career working with top-level teams and athletes who frequently seek to employ Ian as part of the medical support group along with individual consultancy based on the extensive knowledge and experience working in professional sport.

Ian has a passion for working with motivated individuals and applies a driven, focused approach to injury management and prevention encompassing Physiotherapy skills with current sports medicine practices. This has defined Ian as an invaluable member of many athletes support team & networks.


Kay Humberstone – Sports Therapist & Soft-Tissue Therapist

Kay is a former international High Jumper competing at the Commonwealth Games. Kay has a first hand appreciation of the unique needs of elite performers and what it takes to progress from recreational to elite level. Kay has extensive skills in Sports therapy and Soft-Tissue massage linking her practical skills with knowledge of the Physiological & Anatomical demands of high performance sport and training. Kay excels in effective assessment and treatment of clients to manage and prevent injury. Kay has worked with Professional Football, Rugby, Ice Hockey along with her extensive experience with Athletics.


Darren Thorpe – Physiotherapist & Sports Therapist

Darren has worked with high performance sport since 2006 initially as a Sports Therapist and now as a qualified Physiotherapist. Darren applies his experience and knowledge in the assessment and management of athletes and individuals from: Professional Football, Super-League Rugby, Cycling, Athletics. Darren has been a key member of the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball medical team since 2010 contributing to the preparation for London 2012 Paralympic Games. As a former Semi-Professional Football player Darren thrives in team environments and with a holistic approach to athlete and client management that makes him a key asset to the elite team.


Dan Garbutt – Physiotherapist

Dan joined elite in 2011 he is a National level middle distance athlete bringing musculoskeletal knowledge and understanding of training from his own experiences to the management of all clients. Dan has a unique understanding of human movement and physiology linking principles of current physiotherapy practice that optimise athletic performance.


Dr Robert Child- Sports Nutritionist

Rob has been a key asset in elite since its inception. Rob brings his infinite knowledge of sports nutrition to the team working individually with all clients across multiple sports. More importantly Rob also provides collaborative contribution to the management of sports injuries working closely with all elite staff. This unique approach to client management encompasses individualised sports nutrition in relation to sports performance along with optimal management of injury and rehabilitation. This approach is not usually available to anyone other than elite high performance athletes and teams.

Rob is one of the worlds leading authorities on sport nutrition and supplements. In a career spanning more than 20 years Rob has worked at multiple Olympic Games, World & European Championships along with the Tour de France. Sports and athletes Rob has worked with include: Professional Cycling, Athletics, Boxing, Swimming, Sailing, Gymnastics, Formula 1, Professional Football, Olympic & Paralympic athletes. Rob also provides consultancy advice to the British Military on Nutrition.

Rob is also responsible for the development of many leading sports nutrition products observing WADA guidelines. He is an expert on food agency law having multiple publications and presentations at world level. His extensive knowledge and understanding means he is qualified to provide impartial and accurate knowledge on sports nutrition and supplements not merely recommend specific products for commercial gain as seen with other businesses.


Matt Robinson - Sports Masseur

Matt is a former Royal Marine. He is Trained in Sports Massage and currently working towards an Advanced Sports Therapy Diploma. Matt is also a Personal Trainer + Coach who uses his passion for Sport Climbing and all things Triathlon to design Strength and Conditioning programs for his clients.

 


Elite Physio have experience of working at the very pinnacle of performance sport supporting athletes including Olympic & Paralympic medalists, Professional Protour Cycling, Premiership Football, Superleague Rugby, UK Athletics and PGA Golf.

Our practitioners have led dedicated teams of therapists through some of the worlds most significant sporting events including:

2009 Tour de France – Cervelo Professional Cycling Test Team,
2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, along with representing national teams at World & European Championships.
London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic games.
2013 Physiotherapist to Milan - San Remo winning cycling team MTN Qhubeka.