This International Women’s Day, 2021, the Nottingham Sport caught up with several of Nottinghamshire’s finest, sporting ladies, to chat about this years’ theme #ChooseToChallenge.

Owner of Evolve Injury Clinic, in Long Eaton, the Nottingham Panthers Ice Hockey Elite League sides’ Lead Sports Therapist, Laura-Jo Bowler, provided some thoughts about her experiences, as a woman, within the sporting world.

In gaining an honours degree in Strength, Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Massage, from Cardiff University, in 2017, Laura-Jo’s path in life has been mapped out for some time.

“I’ve previously worked in football, with Newport County, and in semi-professional rugby, with Maesteg Rugby Club, whilst I was at Cardiff Uni,” began Laura-Jo.

I’ve also worked with a couple of professional boxers in Tom Little, and Mitchell Smith, but mainly I’ve worked in ice hockey, which, with the Panthers, began, by accident, towards the end of 2019.

“I was offered some shadowing work, voluntary, with the club, which I was actually tempted to do, but I’d only been there, what, three weeks or so, when my predecessor left and I was offered the position of Lead Therapist.”

To Laura-Jo however, her experiences, albeit minimal in the grand scheme, of gender bias and inequality, doesn’t come from within the sport itself, they’ve welcome her with open arms and treated her, from the off, as one of their own.

“The Panthers have been great, I don’t have any issues there,” explained Laura-Jo.

“What issues I have had has been with the snide comments I receive, those that come from your everyday individual.

“It’s disappointing that people rebuff when I tell them what my job is, thinking more that I’m a beauty therapist, or a barmaid, that kind of thing; it really is a big discredit to all I’ve achieved, and it happens often.

“So for me, personally, the negativity comes from those directly involved in the sport, with the clubs themselves.”

Negativity cane be turned in positivity within any environment, and the support from others, irrespective of age, sex, race, is key to that happier, healthier, lifestyle, a better working and sporting environment.

Laura-Jo has certainly found that to be the case, building lasting friendships and working relationships from early in her career, whilst being continually inspired by role models, and other influences.

“The Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, are athletes that I really look up to,” adds Laura-Jo.

“Serena, she’s an incredible athlete, and is someone who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself, putting so much into her own, sporting, and personal life.

“A big, personal influence though, continues to be Hannah Cornell at (Head Sports Therapist) Derby County Centre of Excellence.

“I emailed her when I was in sixth-form, doing my A-Levels, and was someone I admired, and respected.

“We’re good friends now and she’s been a great influence for me, helped me when I needed it during my degree, and has been a huge part of my journey so far.

“I’ve never felt intimated here though (at the Panthers) and have to remain professional whilst, to a point, being a friend as well, more with what’s going on in the world and surrounding mental health.

“There’s a few other females in this sport as well, not many, but we’re here, and we’ve bonded, and I’ve made some good friends along the way, including Hayley Roberts (Official Photographer, Sheffield Steelers), and I can’t wait to get back out there and working again.”

That work-load consists of both what she does with the Panthers, and at Evolve, a business she’s been working hard with, building on, since leaving university, and was rebranded in October. It’s with that in which she’ll be emerging from the current climate with and will be like a whole new start for the Panther.

Keep up-to-date with Laura-Jo’s progress via the Evolve website www.evolveinjuryclinic.co.uk, Facebook and Twitter @SportsTherapyLB.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @PanthersIHC Laura-Jo Bowler working beside the ice with Nottingham Panthers.