In the late 1990s, the English Institute of Sport, alongside home country institutes and major sports governing bodies, recognised a growing demand for sports massage among athletes and active individuals. However, there was widespread confusion, even within the healthcare and sporting communities, about who was properly qualified to deliver this care. To address this, a Sports Massage Advisory Group was formed in 1999, led by chartered physiotherapist and experienced sports massage practitioner Joan Watt. Their work laid the foundation for the launch of the Sports Massage Association (SMA) in January 2002.

OUR STANDARDS

At the SMA, we take pride in setting and promoting high standards across the soft tissue therapy profession. Our membership criteria are deliberately rigorous, because we believe the public deserves complete confidence in the skill, training, and professionalism of every therapist on our register.

Our reputation for quality makes us the first point of contact for:

• Awarding organisations seeking accreditation guidance

• Legal professionals in need of expert advice or testimony

• Media outlets looking for trusted industry insight

Our Board is made up of actively practising therapists representing all corners of the profession: from elite sport and multidisciplinary clinics, to mobile therapists and educators across colleges and universities.

We understand the real-world needs of working Soft Tissue Therapists, because we are those therapists.

Aims of the SMA

The SMA is guided by six core aims:

• To set and uphold clear, minimum standards for soft tissue therapy training

• To build public, professional, and institutional confidence in qualified Soft Tissue Therapists

• To maintain a trusted national register of practitioners

• To promote high ethical, professional, and educational standards across the field

• To support and advocate for our members and their continued development

• To ensure everyone, athletes and non-athletes alike, can access high-quality Soft Tissue Therapy through SMA-registered professionals