Leslie Smith – Senior Sports Therapist

Leslie completed a masters degree in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health at University College London in 2023, achieving a distinction award. This followed his BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy degree at the University of Hertfordshire, graduating with a first class in 2019. He was awarded an additional award for outstanding voluntary contribution to university sport, research and co-curricular activities. Leslie has a particular interest in knee and shoulder injuries, having undertaken research surrounding anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and rotator cuff rehabilitation.

Experience

Leslie first became part of the F.A.S.T. team as an intern in 2017. He has since gained expansive experience within a clinical setting, as well as previously working for over 4-years as a Cambridge United Football Club first team’ Sports Therapist. He has additionally worked with a variety of other sports including cycling, athletics cross country and hockey.

Leslie has also provided soft tissue work at a multitude of sports events, including the London Marathon, Cambridge Half-Marathon, Brentwood Half-Marathon and Nuclear races. Prior to this, he volunteered as a swimming instructor for the disabled.

Travelling

The Society of Sports Therapists awarded Leslie the inaugural travelling scholarship to St Clair College, Windsor, Canada. Whilst there, he worked in a clinical setting with a host of collegiate sports teams, as well as supporting the college’s baseball, football and basketball teams on game days. He additionally had the opportunity to observe two private clinics, and spent 3 days with the Windsor Spitfires ice hockey team and 5 days with the University of Windsor American Football. The travelling scholarship was not the first opportunity Leslie had to travel. Having previously worked with Cambridge University Association Football Club, he provided medical coverage at their winter training camp in Nerja, Spain, together with the 2018 world elite university tournament in Wuhan, China, where the team reached a second-place finish.

Sport

Leslie is a football and athletics enthusiast. Between 2013-15, he completed six Dirty Dozen obstacle course races, including an 18km run with over 25 military style obstacles. His current sporting interests lie within strength and conditioning and cross country running.