World student games await physiotherapist Kenneth

Student Kenneth Watt has overcome strong competition to clinch a place as a physiotherapist at this year’s World University Games.

Kenneth, 29, is originally from Kinross, Scotland, and in the final year of the BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy. He has been selected to work as a Physiotherapist at the Games in Serbia, for three weeks from late June to early July.

He will be in a team of six physiotherapists, treating up to 180 athletes from team GB. The athletes will be taking part in 15 different sports, including athletics, football, basketball and swimming. In total over 10,000 athletes from 140 nations will be in competition.

Work with athletes who may be future Olympic gold stars Kenneth said: 'There were 50 applications for one place to work as a physiotherapist at the games so I was delighted to be accepted. Around 55% of last year’s Olympic gold medallists came from the University system so I’ll have the opportunity to work with athletes who may be future Olympic gold stars. I’m also looking forward to building up a rapport with the other physiotherapists out there; it’ll be a great learning experience.'

Kenneth needs to raise £750 towards his living costs in Serbia, and his family have joined in the fundraising. His father Donald, 55, is set to climb Ben Nevis along with Kenneth’s aunt, Linda Nicholson, 55, a primary school Headteacher in Ayr. Donald, from Kinross, is a former Scottish professional footballer, having played as a Defender for Celtic, Dunbarton and Stirling in the 1970s, before retiring in 1982.

Kenneth added: 'I first got interested in sports because of my dad and I’m so pleased that he and my auntie are climbing Ben Nevis to help me.'

After the games Kenneth aims to work in either sports physiotherapy, or a hospital.

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