Elly Blair has always had a deep passion for sports and an appreciation for an active lifestyle. Growing up in Market Harborough, she attended Welland Park and Robert Smyth Academy, where she pursued A-Levels in PE, Maths, Psychology, and Biology. From a young age, Elly was actively engaged in competitive swimming, netball, and dance at Harborough Academy. Her love for sports led her to Sheffield Hallam University, where she studied Physical Activity, Health, and Exercise Science, before moving on to complete her Master’s degree in Sports Therapy at the University of Lincoln.
Discovering The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity
When considering funding options for her postgraduate studies, Elly came across The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity (STWLC). “I was looking into loans available for Master’s degrees, and the education loan at STWLC came up. It was a much better option for my Master’s, being interest-free compared to taking on another student loan,” she recalls.
The MSc Sports Therapy Experience
Elly’s MSc in Sports Therapy was an intensive and hands-on programme, allowing her to develop practical skills essential for her career. “It was a lot of practical sessions to get used to handling, assessing, and treating clients,” she explains. “We spent a lot of time in the gym learning about sports rehabilitation and designing structured rehab plans tailored to each client, rather than handing out generic exercises.”
“Quite simply, I wouldn’t be a qualified Sports Therapist without their education loan, as taking out another huge student loan wasn’t an option.”
A crucial part of her degree was completing 200 hours of placement experience. Elly secured a placement with Wasps Rugby, working in their medical department over the summer. This experience opened doors to a long-term role with the Wasps academy teams, where she worked for five years. “It shows the importance of making the most of placement opportunities and how they can lead to a career after finishing your studies,” she adds.
Launching The Rehab Coach
Building on her professional experience, Elly founded The Rehab Coach, a rehabilitation business based in Market Harborough. The business operates nationwide through online services, offering bespoke rehabilitation programmes to athletes and the general public.
“Having worked in professional sport, I saw the elite level of rehabilitation available to injured players. It made me question why that level of care wasn’t accessible to the general public,” says Elly. The Rehab Coach was born out of a desire to provide high-quality, personalised rehabilitation. Rather than simply prescribing a generic set of exercises, the business assesses each client’s full-body functional movement to uncover underlying causes of injury.
A key differentiator for The Rehab Coach is their use of cutting-edge VALD technology, which tests an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses, asymmetries left to right and also their running, hopping and jumping capabilities, in an objective manner. “This technology allows us to create bespoke rehab programmes based on precise data and track progress over time, ensuring a full recovery and long-term resilience in sport,” Elly explains.
The Impact of the Business Grant
Receiving a business grant from STWLC was a game-changer for The Rehab Coach. “Initially, working alone while raising my little boy meant I had very little time for an online presence. Bringing in my business partner, Harvey, gave us the capacity to take on more clients, and we knew we needed to invest in rebranding and marketing.”
The grant enabled The Rehab Coach to revamp their website, hire a social media manager, and significantly enhance their online presence. “Since implementing these changes just three months ago, we’ve seen a huge increase in enquiries and awareness of our business in town,” she says.
Additionally, the grant allowed The Rehab Coach to upgrade its VALD technology, reinforcing its position as a leader in rehabilitation services. “This equipment is vital to our business. It sets us apart by enabling us to measure weaknesses and imbalances, create data-driven rehab plans, and track client progress to determine when they are ready to return to their sport or activity.”
“Having a social media manager has eased the pressure massively and allows us to have more time for clients”
A Transformational Journey with STWLC
Reflecting on her journey, Elly acknowledges the significant impact of STWLC on her education and business. “Quite simply, I wouldn’t be a qualified Sports Therapist without their education loan, as taking out another huge student loan wasn’t an option. Our business grant has allowed us to take The Rehab Coach to the next level – we’ve tripled our client numbers and can now deliver a more professional service using advanced technology.”
The support from STWLC has also provided much-needed relief in balancing business and family life. “Having a social media manager has eased the pressure massively and allows us to have more time for clients and focus on delivering the best level of rehab to them, rather than content creation and marketing.”
Elly’s journey is a testament to the power of financial support in unlocking opportunities for professional growth. Whether through an interest-free education loan or a business grant, STWLC continues to empower ambitious individuals like Elly to achieve their goals.
If, like Elly, you could benefit from an interest-free education loan up to £10,000 to help cover postgraduate living and tuition costs, please click here to read our eligibility criteria and apply.
Applications for our business grants are currently closed, however we welcome applications for our business loans all year round. These are completely interest-free, available up to £20,000, and can be repaid over a generous nine-year term. Please click here for details.