Academy Athletic Therapist

About Vancouver Rise FC

Vancouver Rise FC is proud to be one of six founding clubs in the Northern Super League, Canada's first professional women's soccer league, which launched on April 16, 2025.

Rise FC was built to give women's professional sport a true home in Vancouver, one grounded in pride, purpose, and community. That foundation carried us to an unforgettable inaugural season and the league's first NSL Championship.

The Academy Assistant Therapist supports the day-to-day sports medicine operations of the Vancouver Rise FC Academy. Reporting to the Academy Lead Physiotherapist, the role provides athletic therapy or physiotherapy support across training and match environments and contributes to the management of player health, availability, and performance throughout the season.

Working collaboratively with physicians, therapists, performance staff, coaches, and the Academy Technical Director, the Academy Assistant Therapist assists with injury prevention, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, medical administration, and return-to-play processes within a professional youth football environment.

Key Responsibilities

Player Care & Clinical Delivery

• Deliver day-to-day athletic therapy or physiotherapy services, including first aid, emergency response, on-field injury assessment, acute care, treatment, and the application of appropriate therapeutic modalities.

• Assist with the evaluation, treatment, and ongoing management of player injuries across the full recovery cycle, including the development and delivery of rehabilitation and injury-prevention programs.

• Make appropriate medical referrals and support communication with physicians and other healthcare professionals when required.

• Support return-to-play processes using objective criteria, clear documentation, and alignment with medical, performance, and technical staff.

• Provide sideline coverage for Academy training sessions and matches, supporting immediate care, clinical decision-making, and player safety.

Medical Operations & Administration

· Maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date player health, treatment, participation, and availability records within the Club-provided electronic medical record system.

· Support daily medical operations, including treatment-room setup, equipment management, supply monitoring, and inventory control.

· Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and high-functioning treatment environment at all times.

· Comply with all Club and NSL Academy medical policies, protocols, competition requirements, and standards relating to blood-borne pathogens.

Integrated Performance Support

• Collaborate closely with the Academy Lead Physiotherapist, physicians, therapists, performance staff, and coaches to provide integrated player care.

• Travel with the team for away matches when required and support warm-ups, pitch-based rehabilitation, and post-match recovery strategies

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend Academy and Club meetings as required.


• Participate in staff development activities and Academy planning sessions.


• Represent Vancouver Rise FC Academy professionally at Club, League, and community events.


• Foster positive relationships with players, families, clubs, and key external stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Certified Athletic Therapist CAT(C) in good standing with the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association, or Registered Physiotherapist in good standing with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.

• Post-secondary degree in athletic therapy or physiotherapy.

• Current First Responder certification, or the ability to obtain it before the start date.

• Eligible to work in Canada.

• Valid driver's licence and the ability to travel between training and match environments.

• Availability for evenings, weekends, and team travel as required.

• Successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check, additional background screening, and CAC Safe Sport training.

Preferred Experience & Additional Certifications

• Experience in soccer, high-performance sport, or a team-sport environment, ideally with exposure to return-to-play planning and long-term rehabilitation.

• Experience using electronic medical records or athlete management systems and working within an integrated performance model.

• Additional certifications such as CSCS, PES, LMT, and/or EMR are considered assets.