PSA Appoint Lead Physiotherapist & Medical Coordinator
The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have today appointed former World No.7 Derek Ryan as Lead Physiotherapist & Medical Coordinator in a move that will see the 47-year-old Irishman, and qualified physiotherapist, take primary responsibility for all injury-related incidents at major PSA World Tour events.
The nine-time Irish national champion moved into physical therapy after retiring from professional squash in 2004 and founded the Dublin Sports Clinic – a specialist therapy and fitness clinic – in 2015 after working as physio and fitness advisor to a string of high profile athletes, including Olympic Silver Medal winner Annalise Murphy.
Ryan will act as a point of guidance for players on injury management and treatment procedures at major events and will be the first point of call for any on-court injuries or medical situations. He will also be responsible for compiling in-depth pre-event information to help players ensure they are able to compete at their highest level during tournaments.
“We are pleased to confirm that Derek will be joining the PSA team ahead of this month’s J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions in a move that will enable us to enhance the service that we provide to our players and help address the vital area of pysiotheraphy provision and medical support at major PSA World Tour events,” said PSA COO Lee Beachill.
“Derek has extensive experience both of competing at the highest level – which is key to understanding the unique stresses and demands that squash places on the body – and of working with world class athletes across varying sporting fields, all of which position him as the ideal candidate for the position.
“Until this point players have largely be responsible for sourcing their own medical treatment at major events but we feel this appointment is an important step to allow us to better serve the players and help enable them to compete at the highest level possible through dedicated medical support.”