About Safe to Play

Who we are

My name is Ele, I am a highly specialised sports/MSK physiotherapist with over 20 years of experience working clinically and pitch-side. I am Health Care Practitioner Council (HCPC) registered and hold a current Advanced Medical Management of Trauma in Football (ATMIFF) qualification.

Having worked extensively in hockey, football, and rugby, I have seen medical emergencies first-hand and understand the need for clear, concise emergency planning. Creating and enabling clear and safe emergency plans has been a large part of my job role for many years.

Often in clubs, schools, venues, and even health clinics, risk assessments and emergency planning are overlooked and unpractised. Too often people assume someone else will know what to do in an emergency so that when things do go wrong no action is taken at all. Hesitation, doubt and inaction lead to poor outcomes which adversely affect everyone involved. When every second counts basic things such as knowing the address, having access to a defibrillator, and understanding each person’s role can make all the difference. Risk assessment and emergency action planning should never be something carried out according to an irrelevant template, hidden away in a ring binder and filed where no one can find it. It should be simple, accessible, site-specific, and regularly rehearsed. This is something I am passionate about and skilled at delivering.

Through Safe to Play, I use my pitch-side experience to audit venues, create clear emergency action plans, and rehearse them with volunteers, coaches, clinicians, and players. My aim is to help clubs, schools, and venues feel confident, prepared, and coordinated when it matters most.

Safety planning is about empowering the people who work day-to-day in sport and education, reducing risk, improving confidence, and creating a safe environment where people can play with peace of mind. At Safe to Play I want to help ensure that people are safe to play sport.