Hartlepool College of Further Education are working very closely with Hartlepool United Football Club.  So closely in fact that eight of the players enjoyed a full body massage from some of the Beauty Therapy students!

Tameena Changaiz, Beauty Therapy Lecturer commented, “We saw this as an excellent opportunity to be involved with a professional sporting body and a superb opportunity for the students to practice on real people.  It is vital for the students to practice on men as well as women and the United stars have been really accommodating'.

Eight of the College’s students have gained valuable experience and assessment opportunities whilst the players enjoyed the benefits of a deep muscle massage which helped them unwind after a busy training session.  One of the students commented, “I’ve really learned a lot from this experience. I’ve seen how the massage is adapted from female to male. The player’s muscles are well defined, so more pressure is needed. I was really shattered by the end of the massage.”

Adam Boyd, centre forward for United commented that, “I have had a few messages over the years, but this has been a very pleasant experience and has helped me relax. Having massages is just as important as our day to day training as it helps the muscles relax and decreases the chance of getting injuries.”

His colleague Garry Liddle, centre half for Pools added that, “I have never had a massage before and will certainly come back to the college for more. It is important to relax your muscles especially when we have a few games close together. The girls have been brave taking on all of us lot.”