top of page

Speakers

We proud to share details of our speakers joining us on 30 October for SPARC 2024.

Meet the speakers

Isabel Moore large head shot.jpg

Keynote Speaker: 

Associate Prof. Izzy Moore

Associate Professor in Human Movement and Sports Medicine - Cardiff Metropolitan University

Following her PhD focused on the biomechanics and physiology of female runners, Izzy completed post-doctoral research undertaking sports health epidemiology for several governing bodies to inform injury prevention and management policies. Her current research focuses on female athlete health, sports injury epidemiology and lower limb rehabilitation. She has received national and international research awards and is an Associate Editor for the British Journal of Sports Medicine and Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. She has secured over £1.5 million in funding and co-led the development of the first return to play postpartum guidelines in a contact sport for World Rugby. Alongside international projects on developing female-specific guidelines and, recommendations and prevention strategies within sport and exercise medicine, she co-leads Wales’ Women’s Reproductive Health Public and Patient Involvement group to help place the voices of experts by experience at the heart of sport and exercise medicine research.

Jenny Burbage.jpg

Associate Prof. Jenny Burbage (PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons), FHEA)

Associate Professor in Applied Biomechanics & Women's Health

University of Portsmouth

Dr Jenny Burbage is a senior lecturer in biomechanics and part of the Research Group in Breast Health within the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science at the University of Portsmouth. Her research focuses on biomechanics, health and education related to the female breast, and she is one of the few world experts in this area.  She is passionate about ensuring functional breast support and comfort for athletes and workers, especially when additional equipment needs to be worn (e.g., body armour), and increasing breast health education for all.

X: @jenny_burbage

Robert Rowland Headshot.jpeg

Robert Rowland (FHEA)

Senior Teaching Fellow (Strength and Conditioning)

University of Portsmouth

Robert's talk is titled, 'The Gender Diversity of Strength and Conditioning Coaches: A Participatory Action Research Approach'. The presentation will be focused on the current demographic makeup of strength and conditioning coaches and ongoing research exploring the role of key stakeholders (i.e. governing bodies, HE institutions and employers).

Emily Ross.jpeg

Emily Ross 

Lead Physiotherapist

England Rugby's Red Roses

Emily is the lead physiotherapist for the Red Roses, the senior women’s rugby team at England Rugby. Emily has been supporting the team for 4-and-a-half years but has been with the Rugby Football Union for nearly a decade. Emily's achievements with the team include touring New Zealand for the 2022 Rugby World Cup and five title-winning Women’s Six Nations tournaments. Alongside her day-to-day responsibilities, at the RFU Emily is part of the Research and Innovation Group, the Female Health Strategy Group and also sits on the Women’s Health Advisory Board working closely with PWR. 

Dan Williams.jpg

Dan Williams (BSc Hons)

Therapist

The MVMNT Therapist

Daniel Williams, known as The MVMNT Therapist, is a passionate Movement Therapist expertly integrating manual therapy, movement, strength training and neuroscience in pain management. Through the lens and framework of Dermoneuromodulation (DNM), Daniel's practice emphasises a holistic, person-centred approach, focusing on the interaction between the person he is treating their skin, nerves and their nervous system. His work is centred around empowering clients to take control of their recovery, using evidence-based techniques that address both the physical, neurological and psychological aspects of pain. In addition to his manual therapy expertise, Daniel incorporates RockTape as a supplemental tool, providing clients with easy, at-home solutions for managing pain. 

Untitled - Frame 1.jpg

Claire Gregory (MSc MEd PGCE BSc (Hons) BASRaT, SMA, FHT, WiSER, GPPNI)

Partner

PostureFitting

A practitioner and a tutor both in the UK and abroad for over 20 years, including pioneering work with Pre- and Post-natal Exercise Instructors, Claire's passion centres on improving outcomes and opportunities for women’s health. She works both clinically and as an advocate for all women to have access to the care, education, and support they need to lead healthy, empowered lives, ideal values for a PostureFitting Partner! Claire is well-travelled and delivers retreats and courses all over the world. 

Leila copy.jpg

Leila Benyahia (PGDip, BSc)

PhD Student, Associate Lecturer

Northumbria University

Leila Benyahia is a PhD student and associate lecturer at Northumbria University currently in her second year of study. Her research focuses on development in girls’ football, reflecting her passion for advancing female athletes in sport. Alongside her academic pursuits, Leila works as a strength and conditioning coach at Newcastle United Football Academy and contributes to Basketball England’s talent pathway. Leila’s extensive experience includes working as the lead strength and conditioning coach for elite athletes including those with Great Britain Basketball, Newcastle Eagles and i2i International Football Academy. Her current research interests are centred around female performance, aiming to enhance the development and success of female athletes across various sports.

Matrix headshot AH.jpg

Alex Hurst (MSc, BSc)

Educator

Matrix Fitness UK

Alex is an educator who works with Matrix and will be running a Hyrox style taster session on the day of the conference. Sign up details will be coming soon.

Victoria Campbell.jpeg

Dr Victoria Campbell (BMSc(Hons), MBChB, MRCGP, MSc, MFSEM(UK), Dip MSkMed)

Team Doctor

Scotland Womens Rugby Team

In addition to her position as Team Doctor, Victoria is also hold positions as GP for Ministry of Defence, Chief Medical Officer for British Curling and Contractor Sports Doctor for Scottish Institute of Sport.

Victoria served as the Headquarters Doctor for Team Scotland at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and as the Chief Medical Officer for Team Scotland at the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, where the team secured its first-ever team gold medal. In addition, She has experience in winter sports, having served as Medical Officer at the World University Games in 2023, with plans to attend the event in Torino in 2025.

Victoria has extensive experience in women's football, having been the team doctor for Rangers Women's Football Club from 2017 to 2022, as well as working with Scottish men's Premiership football teams, including St Mirren and St Johnstone. Additionally, Dr. [Name] has worked with the Glasgow Warriors Rugby team.

With a strong passion for women's health, Victoria has a particular interest in menstrual cycle health and concussion in female athletes.

Untitled - Frame 1.jpg

Siobhán O'Donovan (BAPE, MS, Dip Orth Med )

Founder

PostureFitting

Injury prevention has always underpinned Siobhán's physiotherapy approach, leading to her now being known as "The Booby Physio". With goals focusing on educating, empowering and enlightening everyone (yep, go big or go home with your goals!!) in breast weight management, she now integrates the worlds of women's health within neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy and rehabilitation with the lingerie industry to show how and why optimally supporting breast weight matters for health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

image015.png

Ginisha Vekaria 

Workplace Menstrual Wellbeing Manager

Endometriosis UK

Ginisha has over 7 years of experience leading and managing projects that positively impact, support, and empower communities and vulnerable groups. She has a passion to drive change and empower those suffering from endometriosis. Ginisha is keen to make a difference and raise awareness around the difficulties women face with endometriosis.

Jo-Perkins_edited.jpg

Jo Perkins (MSc, BSc)

Head Physiotherapist 

Women’s Welsh Rugby Union Side

Jo is passionate about supporting women to perform at their best at all levels and has trained extensively in female health including menstrual cycle, pelvic and breath health, perinatal support and injury prevention.

 

Jo has recently written the World Rugby Postnatal guidelines and is involved in researching the physical and subjective effects of the menstrual cycle in female rugby players. 

X: @joperkinsphysio

Roisin.png

Róisín Murphy (BSc Physiotherapy, MSc Sports and Exercise Medicine)

Former Head Physiotherapist 

Ireland Women's Senior Performance Programmes (National Team and Centralised Programme)

Róisín is an accomplished physiotherapist who played a key role in the success of Ireland Women's Senior Performance programs, including their recent World Cup qualification and progression from WXV3 to WXV1. She established and led the sports medicine department for Ireland's first full-time professional WXV program and serves on the board of Netball NI as a High Performance Specialist. With extensive experience in sports medicine, Róisín has worked with Olympic and Paralympic athletes and was the head physiotherapist for Ireland's Women's Hockey team during their historic achievements. She holds a master's degree in Sports and Exercise Medicine and has a strong research interest in concussion, with her work on pupillary light reflexes being published in the Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise.

Matt.jpg

Matthew Holmes

Senior Lecturer in Sport

University College Birmingham

Matthew Holmes is a Senior Lecturer at University College Birmingham with over 12 years of experience in sports science, specializing in sports nutrition, strength and conditioning. He holds an MSc in Exercise and Nutrition Science, a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science, and a PGCE, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and SENr-registered Sports Nutritionist. As Programme Lead for the BSc Senior Lecturer in Strength, Conditioning and Sport Nutrition at UCB, he leads key modules in fitness, nutrition, and research. His research focuses on rapid weight loss and gain in combat sports, and he also works as a Sports Nutritionist in professional women's football.

Untitled - Frame 1.jpg

Tarn Jones (HCPC Registered & Chartered Physiotherapist, POGP)

Physiotherapist

PostureFitting

An experienced women's and pelvic health physiotherapist, Tarn offers her clients an holistic and whole body approach to the assessment and management of musculoskeletal and women’s health conditions, making  her the ideal person to be the inaugural PostureFitting Partner in the UK. She is passionate about encouraging women to seek the help they need, and in further assisting them via a personalised service tailored to their individual needs. She operates her own practice in Claverly in the West Midlands.

image017.jpg

Julie Burns 

Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme Manager

Endometriosis UK

Julie joined Endometriosis UK in April 2024 as the Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme Manager and is also a Volunteer Support Group Leader running the Ayrshire Group. Julie introduced the Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme to her previous employer and has first-hand experience of being a workplace Champion. She previously managed business support teams working with executives in the NHS and higher education for 25 years.  Julie is committed to improving the lives of endometriosis sufferers and making a positive difference in the workplace.

Don't miss out - buy your tickets now

Our sponsors

Natty Coach Silver.png
Routledge logo 2.jpg
MVMNT Logo -Black Transparent Background.png
Rocktape_LOGO-2-01-1.jpg
Matrix.png
EndometreosisUKLogo.png
bottom of page