Kate Richardson, Lead Physiotherapist
Professional and academic qualifications
Kate graduated from Cardiff University with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy. She is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP) and Association of Physiotherapists in Sport and Exercise Medicine (ACPSEM). Kate is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a UK anti-doping accredited adviser.
Professional experience
Kate has worked with a variety of different sports teams, including England Lacrosse, Hockey Wales, the Welsh Football Association, and Cardiff City FC Academy. Her role involved the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions along with pitchside trauma and first aid management. Kate also has experience in lecturing in functional anatomy at Bournemouth University and has delivered guest lectures at Solent University.
Her role at Solent is head physiotherapist of the High Performance Academy. Alongside this role, she works part-time with England Lacrosse. Drawing skills from her various positions, Kate has adopted a holistic approach to treating patients right from the onset of injury, to end stage sports specific rehabilitation.
Dan Cruse, Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach
Professional and academic qualifications
Dan is a Solent University graduate completing BA (Hons) Fitness and Personal Training and MSc Athletic Development and Peak Performance. He also completed a PGCert Applied Sports Nutrition at St Mary's University, Twickenham. Dan is an accredited strength and conditioning coach with the UKSCA (ASCC) and is also a UKAD anti-doping adviser.
Professional experience
Dan leads on the strength and conditioning provision for a number of the HPA athletes, as well as providing support to some of the performance clubs at the University. He is also responsible for managing the strength and conditioning internship programme, and helping to develop young practitioners during their time studying at Solent.
Dan has been fortunate to work with athletes across the performance pathway while at Solent. He is passionate about delivering an athlete-centred approach to the students involved in the programme.
Kelly Jones, Athlete Support Officer and TASS Lead
Professional and academic qualifications
Kelly has recently completed a master's in sport and exercise psychology, completing her thesis on student athlete wellbeing. She is a member of the Talented Athlete Sports Scheme (TASS) lifestyle advisory group which helps shape the athlete support provision nationally. Kelly is also our TASS lead and the main link for our external athlete provision. She is an accredited mental health first-aider and a UK anti-doping (UKAD) accredited educator.
Professional experience
Kelly delivers a holistic athlete support service as part of the multidisciplinary team, which focuses on developing our athletes as people above all else and preparing them for life after education and/or sport. Kelly provides one-to-one and small group support to all supported athletes, as well as transition planning and anti-doping education. She is responsible for Solent's dual career programme and supports athletes in identifying and managing the conflicting life/sport/study demands. Kelly is passionate about developing the whole person through a holistic, athlete-centred approach and is an advocate of positive mental wellbeing and athlete welfare.
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