Posted by 
A woman, born and raised in Preston, has graduated from the University of Central Lancashire and now works for two premier sports teams.
Ashleigh Abbott, 27, graduated from the MSc Sports Medicine course with a distinction and is now a sessional physiotherapist for Chelsea Football Club.
She is also the lead therapist at Hampstead and Westminster Hockey Club, a Premier Division team in both the England Hockey Men’s League and the Women’s Vitality League, and is a physiotherapist for Hockey Wales.
Read more: Ex-PNE goalkeeper coach to open indoor football facility in old warehouse
Ashleigh combines the part-time roles with the position of trauma and orthopaedic specialist physiotherapist at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The former Lostock Hall Academy and Runshaw College pupil moved to London at age 18 to study for her undergraduate degree.
She had to split her time during the one-year full-time course between travelling back to Preston to study and being in London for work.
Read more: Leyland student wins prestigious award and impresses major fashion retailers
Ashleigh said: “I chose to study MSc Sports Medicine at the University of Central Lancashire to develop my knowledge and skills to progress as a physiotherapist in sport.
“I had been working in my NHS role for a few years but since completing my undergrad, I had been working in smaller sports roles alongside this as a passion. I have a desire to work with elite athletes to prevent and rehabilitate after injury and wanted to develop as a physiotherapist within this area.
“I was drawn to the University of Central Lancashire itself, not only for its reputation as a top university but also for being in my hometown, providing an opportunity to spend more time with my family after living more than 200 miles away for a number of years. I often utilised my train travel for studying and catching up on sleep so it all worked out well.”
Last week, Ashleigh was able to attend the under 16s EuroHockey 5s Championships in Croatia with Hockey Wales.
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
