Chorley massage therapist lands top job with Team GB at Paralympics

A sports massage therapist has muscled in on a top job assisting Team GB at the Paralympic Games in Rio this summer.

Sally Barker, from Clayton-le-Woods, will be the masseur for almost 200 athletes competing in 18 sports representing Great Britain.

She will be on hand to treat them for injuries and recovery and working alongside a team of therapists, doctors, nurses, physios and psychologists.

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The 43-year-old, who has been working as a qualified sports masseur for the last eight years, said it is one of the most exciting ventures of her career so far.

Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.
Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.

Sally said: “I’m really chuffed - this is a massive opportunity.

“Rio is going to be amazing and I’m just delighted to be part of it all.

“I have got quite a lot of experience as far as athletics are concerned and I feel really honoured to have been selected.”

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Sally runs her own private practices, SB Sports Massage, in Chorley, Bolton and Leeds as well as working in elite sports for the last five years.

Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.
Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.

She has mostly worked with the British Cycling team but also swimming teams, squash teams, and a number of sports for disabled athletes.

“I saw the advert for a staff position for team GB at the Paralympics about 18 months ago, and I knew I had to go for it,” she said. “I applied and went through the interview process, and now here we are.

“To meet all the athletes from the other sports will be amazing.

“None of it feels real for me yet.

Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.
Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.
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“One the Euro’s have finished and people start talking more about the Olympics and Paralympics I think it will start to feel a bit more real.

“But I have recently been to get sorted out with all my kit - which is all very top secret - and that has made me even more excited.”

Sally will be heading out to the Brazilian capital city with the British Paracycling team at the end of August.

The masseur said she will miss her close family from Croston whilst she is away and but she is looking forward to meeting her mum and brother in Rio after the games.

Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.
Sports masseur Sally Barker from Chorley in one of her private practices. The 43-year-old is set to be the masseur for Team GB at the Paralympics this year.
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They will be joining her for a short break after she has finished working out there.

Sally added: “I’m taking the holiday as a bit of a wind-down after the paralympics - I think I might need it.”

When she gets back from Rio, Sally will continue to focus on working in her private massage practices, which are used by all types of people - not just athletes.

For more information about her business, visit www.sb-massage.co.uk.