The English Institute of Sport along with other home country institutes and sports governing bodies found there was significant demand for sports massage among sports participants.

There was however a great deal of confusion as to who was appropriately qualified even among other health professionals working within sport. As a result in 1999, a Sports Massage Advisory Group was established to investigate the area. The group was chaired by the chartered physiotherapist and sports massage practitioner, Joan Watt. In January 2002 the Sports Massage Association (SMA) was launched.

Aims of the SMA

The SMA has the following aims to guide its development. The aims of the SMA are to;

• Establish and maintain minimum standards for soft tissue therapy training
• Give confidence to the general and sporting public, the medical profession and government agencies that Soft Tissue Therapists are suitably trained to provide a quality service
• Hold a National Register for Soft Tissue Therapists
• Establish and maintain the ethical, professional and educational standards for Soft Tissue Therapists
• Support and promote our members and their profession
• Ensure the best possible Soft Tissue Therapy is available to sports and non sports people who use our practitioners