Helena Walker Sports Rehab

It’s good to be back🐶

Thomas Stevens

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The team (+ Rachael)🦈

First 3 games of the Academy League complete for 2026/27. Ready for a small break before we get back into it!!

First week back on pitch side this week with Sharks 17s & 18s🦈

Whilst still preparing for another year of support with Sale FC🐶

Ready for the 2026/27 season🤠

📸 Gareth Lyons

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Availability weekly, message to get booked in📲

Over the off season break I was lucky enough to be asked by Sterosport & Andrew Watson to host a webinar talking through my role in Academy Rugby Union.

This was a great opportunity for me to review my work with Sale Sharks, whilst aiming to educate on how we adapt our practices to suit the needs of the players.

Thank you SteroSport!

Today marks a year since I re-ruptured my ACL, and subsequently chose to step away from playing rugby.

Whilst it’s been an emotional journey, I wanted to take the opportunity to show how different a rehabilitation journey can be for an amateur athlete..

My initial injury happened November 2019 following a forced hyperextension in a tackle, rupturing my ACL and tearing both my medial and lateral meniscus. Due to Covid and prioritising finishing my degree, I had an extended wait time for my operation until June 2021. I returned to rugby in May 2022 post completing the full rehabilitation process on my own.

A total of 31 months out (& I’m very lucky to have been in a position to do my own rehab).

6 seasons of rugby (2 league, 4 union + 1 county season & 3 seasons of social 7s) later…

An illegal side entry to a ruck & my knee taking direct impact in June 2025 caused the re-injury. A full ACL rupture and further tearing to my meniscus. Due to my job (with no insurance due to the cost flying up post first op) I needed answers quicker than the NHS could give me. I proceeded to pay upwards of £800 for an MRI and consultant appointment to get a plan in place.

In December 2025 I had my second operation to fix my ACL, meniscus and had an LET for extra stability going forwards. (A quicker wait time than most.)

Fast forward to now, due to common degenerative issues after 2 injuries and surgeries, my knee still hasn’t settled. Due to this, I am inline for a steroid injection within the next 3 months. Something I could’ve had from 3months post op but due to NHS wait times 9+ months on.

Both rehabilitations said to be initially 9 months & 11 months. Taking well over due to wait times, availability, costings etc.

Whilst this isn’t a sob story, experiencing an injury like this in an amateur world is not something to be taken lightly. It can take someone away from what they love for a long time, or permanently.

More support is needed.

Always here for chats, drop me a message. Happy to help🤝

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Rehabilitation programs for whoever needs them, message for availability📲