A PHYSIOTHERAPIST is taking a break from her Richmond practice to help support athletes at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Angela Stirk has worked at the Manchester Commonwealth Games and Paralympics in the past and said she is looking forward to the challenge of being a lead physiotherapist with a team of massage therapists, nurses and other therapists.

“It is something very different to my everyday work - I won’t know what I will get. I had to apply to take part and got through a tough interview process, but I have worked at previous Games, and for the handball team at the Paralympic Games.

“I will be there for all of the games, from Wednesday, July 23 to Sunday, August 3, and will deal with whatever comes in, be it muscular or skeletal sport injuries.”

Ms Stirk, who has 29 years’ experience, runs Angela Stirk Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy in Richmond Market Place, and will close her practice for the duration of the Games.

She said: “It will be a great experience, and an opportunity for me to develop skills I don’t get to use every day.

“It is a real honour and privilege to take part.”

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will feature 17 sports, including athletics, squash, boxing and gymnastics, in 12 venues across the city, with Ms Stirk being based at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum overlooking the lawn bowls green.