The English Institute of Sport along with other home country institutes and sports governing bodies found there was significant demand for sports massage among sports participants.

There was however a great deal of confusion as to who was appropriately qualified even among other health professionals working within sport. As a result in 1999, a Sports Massage Advisory Group was established to investigate the area. The group was chaired by the chartered physiotherapist and sports massage practitioner, Joan Watt. In January 2002 the Sports Massage Association (SMA) was launched.

OUR STANDARDS

The SMA are proud of the high standards we promote within the industry. Our requirements for membership are exacting and we make no apologies for this because we want the public to be confident in the high level of skills and professionalism of the therapists on our register. 

Our reputation for quality means we are the first port of call for qualification Awarding Organisations requiring approval or advice, for the legal profession needing expert advice or witnesses, and for the media looking for industry opinion. Our Board comprises actively working therapists, representing different aspects of the industry: elite sport, multidisciplinary clinics, mobile and home-based therapists, teachers in colleges and university.

We completely understand the needs of the working Soft Tissue Therapist. 

Aims of the SMA

The SMA has the following aims to guide its development. The aims of the SMA are to;

• Establish and maintain minimum standards for soft tissue therapy training
• Give confidence to the general and sporting public, the medical profession and government agencies that Soft Tissue Therapists are suitably trained to provide a quality service
• Hold a National Register for Soft Tissue Therapists
• Establish and maintain the ethical, professional and educational standards for Soft Tissue Therapists
• Support and promote our members and their profession
• Ensure the best possible Soft Tissue Therapy is available to sports and non sports people who use our practitioners