Megan Watts

What was the best thing about student life here?

Solent is a very inclusive university, I never felt pressured to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with. The environment is welcoming, and everyone is friendly and supportive. No matter what activity was happening, there was always an effort to include everyone and make them feel part of the community.

What was the best thing about your course lecturers?

For me, it was the perfect combination of their professional experience and approachability. The Sport and Exercise Therapy team brings together expertise from both clinical and sporting backgrounds, which means they offer incredibly relevant and practical advice. What stood out most was how genuinely supportive and approachable they were. They took the time to build real connections with students and were always available, whether it was to answer questions, offer extra help during practical sessions, or just check in when things felt challenging. Every lecturer went above and beyond, and it made a huge difference to my learning experience. They’re easily one of the friendliest and encouraging teams I’ve worked with.

What about the facilities?

Solent offers state-of-the-art facilities that really enhance the learning experience. There’s an entire floor dedicated to sport and exercise therapy, including a fully equipped clinic where we gained hands-on experience treating both students and members of the public in our third year.

The gym facilities are also excellent, with a wide range of high-quality equipment and training tools. These resources created the perfect environment for both academic learning and practical skill development.

Do you feel like your studies helped you prepare for a career in the industry?

Absolutely. The course is designed to prepare you for real-world practice from day one. With options like a placement year and final-year clinical placements, I was able to apply what I learned in real settings. The teaching covered a wide range of sports and injury types, helping us understand which injuries are most common in different sports and how to treat them. I left the course with a strong foundation in injury assessment and rehabilitation, which directly prepared me for my current role in the industry.

Can you talk a bit about any opportunities you had to get practical experience?

One of the highlights of my time at Solent was my placement year with London Irish Rugby. It gave me the chance to work in a professional sports environment, applying rehab techniques and observing injury management first-hand. It was fast-paced, hands-on, and incredibly valuable. In my third year, I also worked in the on-site clinic and completed a placement module, which helped me explore different areas of sports therapy and discover where I felt most confident and passionate. These experiences were key in shaping my career path.

Tell us a little about your career so far.

So far, my career has been everything I hoped for and more. Coming out of Solent and stepping straight into a role in professional sport is something I could have only dreamed of. I currently work with Saracens Rugby Club, who compete in the Premiership and various other competitions throughout the season. I’ve also had the opportunity to work alongside the Saracens Women’s team, which has been incredibly valuable and rewarding.

Alongside my role in rugby, I continue to work as a Fitness Instructor, teaching group exercise classes at Everyone Active. This has not only helped me switch off and relax, but it’s also allowed me to find a healthy balance between my work and personal life, keeping me engaged, focused and motivated in both areas.

What are some of the biggest challenges and rewards of working in sports therapy?

Sports therapy can be incredibly rewarding. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of helping a player return to full fitness after an injury or supporting them through recovery and ongoing management.

However, it also comes with its challenges. One of the biggest difficulties is getting players to fully engage with their rehab, which often ties into the psychological side of injury. Recovery of an injury isn’t just physical; it can be mentally demanding as well. But that’s what makes sports therapy so fulfilling. Challenges are like puzzles to solve, and each success makes the journey of the injury with the player worthwhile.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently completing my Master’s in strength and conditioning, which is coming to an end very soon. Balancing full-time work alongside full-time study has definitely been challenging, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. I’ve learnt so much throughout the process and I’m now looking forward to the start of the new season.

What’s your career highlight so far?

A career highlight for me so far has been covering a professional rugby match at StoneX Stadium, it was definitely a “pinch me” moment. Seeing my name in the programme for the Showdown 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was another huge milestone that filled me with pride. I never imagined I’d get to where I am today, so stepping straight out of university and into professional sport was a massive achievement and something I’m incredibly proud of.

Another standout moment in my career was being assigned a player who had suffered an ACL injury and guiding them through their entire rehabilitation journey back to full fitness. It was a rewarding experience, especially with challenges along the way, that reinforced just how impactful and fulfilling this profession can be.

What tips would you give to someone wanting a career in sports therapy?

Take every opportunity that comes your way. Give it everything you’ve got—even if you don’t succeed or get it right the first time. There will always be room for improvement because learning never stops. One of the best pieces of advice I was given is: “Don’t think—just do.” It taught me to be bold, act and trust the process.

What did you take away from your time at Solent University?

One of the biggest takeaways from my time at university was the friendships I made. These are truly friends for life. I also built strong connections within the sports therapy field, which have been invaluable in helping me grow both personally and professionally as I develop my career.