Meet the team

Physiotherapists, a podiatrist, sports massage and rehabilitation therapists, with experience from the clinic to the pitchside of professional sport.

Our team

Elite sport experience, personal care

The team has a wide range of clinical and rehabilitation skills, so we can manage a broad spectrum of injuries with successful outcomes. Between us we have worked in cricket, rugby, football, gymnastics, netball, squash and Olympic sport, and we bring those same standards to every client.

Clinical Lead Physiotherapist

Rob Leather

Rob has extensive experience of delivering physiotherapy to the highest standards in both the elite and non-elite sectors, across a wide range of team and individual sports. He has worked in professional sport for over 12 years.

His assessment and diagnosis of sports injuries in elite and recreational athletes, and the evidence-based rehabilitation and injury prevention programmes he creates, are at the forefront of current sports science and medicine.

Special interests

Low back pain
Tendon injury
Sports injuries
Lower-limb biomechanics and running injuries
Post-operative rehabilitation

Qualifications

BSc Physiotherapy, University of Southampton, 2002
MSc Sports and Exercise Medicine, University of Nottingham, 2006

Elite sport

Leicestershire County Cricket Club: first-team physiotherapist 2008 to 2010, then Head of Player Support 2011 to 2018
England and Wales Cricket Board: U17 development pathway and tours to India
England fast bowling development pathway for 5 years, including training camps in India and South Africa
England U19 match day cover and Super Fours competition cover
International Rugby Board: research analyst at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
Previous appointments at Addenbrooke's Hospital Sports Injuries Clinic, Cambridge Rugby Club and Loughborough Sport

Memberships

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine (BASEM)
Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP)

The team

Podiatry, massage, rehabilitation and reception

Each member of the team brings specialist skills, so your care can include everything from gait analysis to a full gym programme.

Steve Avil

Podiatrist

Steve recently retired from full-time lecturing at the University of Northampton, where he specialised for over 30 years in sports medicine and applied biomechanics. He has given keynote lectures at sports conferences in Australia and Ukraine, and is an external examiner for the podiatry degree and master's courses at the University of Salford.

Special interests

Orthoses in the management of shin pain
Running biomechanics and overuse injury

Qualifications

Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Medicine
Fellowship of the College of Podiatry in Podiatric Medicine (FCPM)
Member of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
HCPC registered

Elite sport

Podiatry provider to Leicester City FC, Leicestershire County Cricket Club and national and international squash
England and Wales Cricket Board 1996 to 2006: pre and post tour management of the U19, Academy, One Day and Test teams
London Marathon: has taken third-year student podiatrists to treat runners for 27 years
Previous appointments with the English Institute of Sport at Loughborough, Milton Keynes Dons FC, Fulham FC and the National Badminton Centre

Steve Smith

Sports Massage Therapist

Steve has over a decade of clinical experience and specialises in running injuries, shoulder pain and back pain. He combines sports massage, soft tissue therapy, dry needling and rehabilitation support. Every session starts with a discussion of your symptoms and goals and a movement-based assessment, leading to personalised exercises and practical advice.

Special interests

Sports and running injuries
Shoulder pain
Back pain

Qualifications

Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Soft Tissue Therapy
ALTIS Performance Therapy
Dry needling and dry cupping
BSc (Hons) Sports Science with Management, Loughborough University
MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition
Fitness instructor and athletics coach

Elite sport

British Gymnastics, including Olympic, Commonwealth, World and European medallists
England Netball
England Women's Rugby
International and county cricket
Professional triathletes, including the 2024 women's Olympic champion
International runners and professional footballers

Will Gowtage

Senior Therapist

Will is highly regarded for his thorough, holistic approach to rehabilitation. He developed much of his expertise at Leicester Tigers, including the 2013 Premiership-winning season, helping England and international players prepare for the Six Nations, World Cups and the Lions. He has spoken at conferences across the East Midlands and given guest lectures at the University of Nottingham.

Special interests

Long-standing hip and groin injuries
Tendinopathies
Post-operative rehabilitation
Active release techniques
Occlusion training

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Sports Rehabilitation, University of Salford
MSc Strength and Conditioning (Distinction), Cardiff Metropolitan University

Elite sport

Leicester Tigers medical department 2010 to 2021: day-to-day care of the senior squad and match day pitchside duties
Part of the 2013 Premiership-winning side
Manchester United Soccer Schools: medical care for young athletes in a residential setting at Denstone College

Ben Jeynes

Physiotherapist

Ben completed his master's degree in physiotherapy at the University of Northampton, after an undergraduate degree in sport therapy and rehabilitation at the University of Derby. His placements covered MSK outpatients, professional sport at Northampton Saints, neurological rehabilitation and paediatrics, and he has worked in semi-professional football and youth rugby.

Qualifications

MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration), University of Northampton
BSc Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation, University of Derby
LUBAS trauma training

Elite sport

Placement with Northampton Saints Rugby
Denstone College U18 rugby physiotherapist
Semi-professional football with Lutterworth Athletic

Emily Wallbanks

Rehabilitation Therapist

Emily is a passionate, BASRaT registered sport rehabilitator. She has helped people recover from a wide range of injuries, from supporting soldiers at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre to helping athletes on the sports field.

Farin Padamsey

Medical Receptionist

Farin is our front of house medical receptionist, with a broad range of experience in the medical sector, including a busy GP surgery. Farin manages your appointments and takes care of the administration around them, from referral letters and invoicing queries to private medical insurance pre-authorisation.

farin@robleatherphysio.co.uk
07534 334970

Book with the team

Book an assessment online, or call us and we will match you with the right therapist for your injury and goals.

Book online Call 07534 334970