Paralympic athlete Lauren Steadman marks opening of new sports injury clinic in Stamshaw

Triple World champion and six-time European champion Lauren Steadman was at Mountbatten Leisure Centre in Stamshaw on Tuesday.

The Strictly Come Dancing star launched a new assessment, treatment and rehabilitation premises for Portsmouth’s Up and Running Sports Injury Treatment Clinic.

The clinic, which has been operating in the city for more than 25 years, is headed up by former Portsmouth FC assistant manager and physiotherapist, Keith Waldon.

He is supported by a team of therapists which helps clients at all levels of fitness who sustain injuries and require rehab from activities such as athletics, swimming, weight training and football.

Paralympian Lauren has been supportive of the clinic’s work for many years and has a long-standing relationship with Keith and the team.

She said: ‘I have been seeing the Up and Running Team since 2011. Their expertise has kept me injury-free apart from a fall from my bike in the World Championships in Rotterdam.

‘Their ethos of prevention of injury rather than wait until injury strikes has been the key to this remarkable achievement.

‘I cannot recommend Up and Running highly enough.’

The provision of these services at the leisure centre, is supported by BH Live - which also runs leisure facilities at the Pyramids Centre in Southsea - and Portsmouth City Council.

Their aim is to reach even more people in the community and across the city, who will be able to access injury prevention consultation and rehabilitation and get back into physical activity following injury or the impact of longer-term physical conditions.

Mr Waldon said: ‘Because we are the physiotherapy and sports therapy services for clubs such as Portsmouth Northsea Swimming Club, Portsmouth Athletics Club and Portsmouth School of Gymnastics, we’ll be even closer to the athletes who train at Mountbatten and its neighbouring gymnastics and tennis centres.’

Councillor Steve Pitt welcomed the launch, and said: ‘It's great to have this clinic available at the Mountbatten Leisure Centre to help people get back to fitness after sport injury.

‘With so many sports clubs and local people using the centre it's an ideal location.’