The UK subsidiary (TRBUK) of global pharmaceutical and medical device company TRB Chemedica, which is at the forefront of initiating new research into joint and tendon disorders, has teamed up with Football4Football to develop an online guide into tendon and joint treatment and rehabilitation options.
Written by some of the biggest names in football, Football4Football launched earlier this year as a valuable resource for people playing football at all levels. As well as video interviews with sporting personalities such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Vincent Kompany it provides advice on how to improve, what to eat and what to do in case of injury, supported by strong scientific research evidence.
As a specialist in developing and manufacturing rheumatology and ophthalmology treatments, TRB Chemedica was determined to understand, first-hand, the needs of its target patient groups and how TRB therapeutics benefit elite sportsmen and women who rely on the products to maintain and prolong their professional careers.
Kicking-off the project, Football4Football has already interviewed a number of pro-players including ex-England and Premier League midfielder David Thompson and League One player Chris Hackett, currently the coach of Oxford United’s under 18s.
Both players have shared valuable insights into one of TRB Chemedica’s flagship product ranges Ostenil®. During his interview, David Thompson talks candidly about how he had prolonged his career with the treatment, saying: “In hindsight I wished I’d had discovered Ostenil before my operation, to stave off the surgery, but it was the other way round. It can be quite daunting as you’re having an injection into the joint but for me, it helped me prolong my career.”
While Chris Hackett explained: “If it wasn’t for Ostenil I wouldn’t have been able to play at Wembley. Other procedures would have had me out of commission but with this, I was back playing in seven days.”
TRB Chemedica partnered with the platform because of Football4Football’s unrivalled connections within the world of football and its related research capabilities. The brainchild of retired professional footballer Julian Dowe, the site features video content from World Cup captains to non-league semi-professionals, as well as coaches and leading medical experts, with the aim of supporting players at all levels, and enhancing participation by giving free access to best practice protocols.
Football fanatics can also get insider knowledge and unbiased advice on which products are genuinely used and recommended by Premier League footballers.
Alex Flanagan, managing director of TRBUK said: “With access to this unique network of pro players, physios, and rehabilitation and injury prevention specialists, we are garnering vital feedback and patient data, enabling us to continually review and improve both our products and services to end-users. Football is a key sector for us, with so many players relying on our innovative treatment options to help resolve or mediate both long- and short-term injuries or degenerative changes.”
The Football4Football platform will also host videos and content from TRBUK to communicate the benefits of its product range and football related clinical data back to the community. This will include filming of procedures taking place and interviews with players and experts.
Football4Football’s founder Julian Dowe said: “We bring together an unmatched community of experts and players who share their inside knowledge of the highs and lows of being involved in the football industry. Our resources are aimed at aspirational footballers, coaches and parents, ensuring best practice across every area of young players’ lives, and we work with some of the world’s leading surgeons and rehabilitation and injury prevention specialists to cover more areas of the game than any other platform.
“As well as giving grassroots players and coaches access to resources that would otherwise be inaccessible or unavailable, we can provide Companies such as TRB Chemedica with the opportunity to gather invaluable insights from a wide variety of highly relevant sources. The platform also presents a great opportunity for brands to reach this huge consumer market.”
Football4Football works with a number of businesses including A-Champs, The Football Transfer Forum and Government education providers to develop expert reviews, product research and provide resources for grassroot players.
