Women’s Health in Football is centre stage at University of Cumbria expert evening

Players from Carlisle United’s ladies’ team and manager Tracy Gannon were welcomed onto the city’s Fusehill Street university campus yesterday (Tues 14 Oct) for a special evening organised by Carolyn Kent, lecturer in Physiotherapy within the university’s Institute of Health and also leader of the Women’s Football Hub. 

The event brought together leading physiotherapy experts and athletes to explore the unique health considerations and performance factors affecting female footballers. 

Carolyn delivered a practical session titled “Football Boots – What to Wear and How to Pick the Right Ones.” Her talk highlighted the importance of footwear in injury prevention and performance optimisation, offering valuable guidance for players and coaches alike. 

Specialist physiotherapist Helen Wilson, based in Penrith, also hosted a session focusing on areas of women’s health including pelvic floor, core and breathing muscles, menstrual cycles, post-natal, and menopause. Important discussions and demonstrations about breast health in sport were also delivered. 

Above l-r: University of Cumbria Carolyn Kent and Helen Wilson, from Absolute Physiotherapy

University of Cumbria lecturer Carolyn Kent, who also leads the knowledge exchange platform Women’s Football Hub, said: "Female health research and especially research on female footballers is still evolving so it has been great to use the current evidence base to pull together an event and be able to help the local women’s team to the university. I’m extremely grateful to Helen for her expertise and to Tracy for bringing the team to talk to us tonight.“ 

Helen, of Absolute Physiotherapy (Women’s Health), added: “I’m passionate about educating and empowering women to look after their pelvic and breast health throughout all their life stages. It is a privilege to have been invited to run this session alongside the University of Cumbria and Carlisle United Ladies FC.”  

Carlisle United Ladies’ FC manager Tracy said: “We’re proud to see our Ladies Team attend the Women’s Health in Football Evening, hosted by our valued partners at the University of Cumbria, and Helen from Absolute Physio. The session focused on the vital role of injury prevention—highlighting how the right football boots and a better understanding of women’s health can directly impact performance on the pitch. Events like this strengthen our commitment to athlete wellbeing and help us shape a safer, smarter future for women in sport.” 

Above: Members of Carlisle United Ladies' FC at the University of Cumbria Women's Health in Football session

This week’s event is an example of the strengthened links between University of Cumbria and Carlisle United Football Club. 

The university and football club signed a Memorandum of Understanding in spring 2024 pledging to work together on areas of common interest to support the community and the development of higher-level skills for the region. 

Together they are developing collaborations in areas including: 

• Volunteering, project, placement and internship opportunities for the university’s students and football club staff.  

• Involvement of University of Cumbria students into Carlisle United projects and initiatives.  

• Training and development opportunities for Carlisle United staff at the university. 

*Carlisle United Community Sports Trust's EDI team will be marking World Menopause Day with information and leaflets and showcasing the club’s new internal Menopause Ambassadors on Saturday (18 Oct) when The Blues take on Forest Green Rovers at Brunton Park in their National League fixture, kick-off 5.30pm.  

ENDS