OFFICE ADDRESS
Sports Therapy Association
67 Saxilby Road
Sturton By Stow
Lincoln
LN1 2AA
OFFICE HOURS
| Mon, Tues, Thur | 8am – 2pm |
| Wed, Fri | 3pm – 9pm |
OFFICE ANSWERPHONE
01522 670137
In Ep.266 of the Sports Therapy Association Podcast, Matt Phillips hosts a candid discussion with Anna Maria Mazzierri, Director of The ST School, and Gary Benson, Founder Of The STA, about whether sports therapists should diagnose. They explore the difference between vocational and university routes, the current unregulated landscape, professional membership standards, and legal and insurance implications.
Key takeaways include prioritising clinical reasoning and red-flag screening, the value of referral and communication, protecting scope of practice through strong governance and reflective CPD, and the importance of listening to and treating the whole person rather than chasing labels.
Chapter Markers:
- 00:00:00 – Welcome to the Sports Therapy Association Podcast
- 00:02:05 – Meet the Guests: Anna Maria Mazzieri and Gary Benson
- 00:05:31 – Defining Sports Therapists
- 00:07:45 – The Challenge of Title Regulation
- 00:09:33 – Professional Associations and Standards
- 00:10:31 – The Role of Professional Associations
- 00:12:12 – Education and Experience in Therapy
- 00:15:25 – Diagnosis and Its Implications
- 00:24:22 – The Power of Communication
- 00:36:58 – The Value of Therapists
- 00:41:27 – The Importance of Listening
- 00:49:10 – Red Flags in Therapy
- 00:54:12 – Conversations Over Consultations
- 00:55:39 – Insurance and Scope of Practice
- 00:59:34 – Emphasizing Patient Relationships
- 01:02:22 – Looking Ahead to Collaboration in 2026
- 01:06:00 – Thanks to Society of Sports Therapists (SST) and Sports Therapy Organisation (ST0)
Useful Links
- The ST School Website: thestschool.co.uk
- Sports Therapy Association Website: thesta.co.uk
Want to join the live recordings?
Episodes of the Sports Therapy Association podcast are recorded live every TUESDAY at 8pm on the Sports Therapy Association YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK page. Everyone is welcome – you do not have to be an STA member! If you cannot join us live, be sure to subscribe to the ‘Sports Therapy Association Podcast’ on all popular podcast apps to be notified when new episodes are available.
Interested in Joining The STA?
Use the code PODCAST25 to get 3 MONTHS EXTRA when you join for a single year! In other words, £75 will get you 15 months instead of 12! Only valid for NEW members. If you are Level 3 (qualified after 2014) make sure you choose the ‘associate member’ option.
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