Contract description/title: Sports Massage and Soft Tissue Therapists
Published by: sportscotland
Publication Date: 16 Apr 2026
Deadline Date: 30 April 2026
Contract value: Submission to include hourly and daily rates (negotiate for multiple day cover) which must be fully inclusive of all related administrative costs, administration time and communication time that are necessary for the completion of this service.
Expense allowance: All travel expenses must be authorised by the contract manager or his/her deputies in advance of the costs being incurred. These will be paid in line with HMRC guidance and the sportscotland travel policy but will specifically exclude travel incurred in relation to the Service Providers provision of Services at their or sportscotland facilities.
Contract Period: 2 year contract with option to extend for a further 2 x single years
Termination Period: 1 month by both parties
Location: Scotland wide – Edinburgh/Glasgow/Stirling/Aberdeen/Inverness
Delivery from own facility and sportscotland network sites
sportscotland is looking to procure the following massage and soft tissue therapy services:
The sportscotland institute of sport (SIS) network provides high performance expertise to sport and athletes in Scotland.
Massage and soft tissue therapy is considered an integral part of the support services provided to athletes and sports. The SIS maintain a network of contracted massage and soft tissue therapists who, as part of an integrated medical services team, deliver massage services to athletes, as referred by lead physiotherapists within each sport. The SIS is looking to recognise a pool of therapists to operate as required across Scotland as a network of massage and soft tissue providers for the Institute.
Provider should, as a minimum, have a Level 4 or equivalent sports massage qualification, previous experience some of which should involve high performance sports people, and experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment. They should also be members of a professional body e.g., SMA, SMTO, etc.
Successful provider will have the knowledge, skills and ability to:
Deliver a professional massage and soft tissue therapy service in line with the sportscotland institute of sport core values, providing a service in an integrated way with the athlete and all other relevant providers
To apply a range of massage therapy and soft tissue techniques, and where need be, to liaise with other providers in identifying the most appropriate treatment
Record details of all treatment delivered within the nominated electronic clinical records system within 24 hours of the treatment session
Be aware of the role of other providers in the treatment process, to avoid overlap of functions; and to ensure that treatment provided complements specific multidisciplinary rehabilitation programmes that athletes may be following
Communicate effectively with sport lead physiotherapists
Understand the need for athlete confidentiality and communicate appropriately with other members of the multidisciplinary team, in line with the Institute guidelines on confidentiality
Follow Institute procedural guidelines with respect to electronic record keeping, activity reporting and invoicing for fees
Liaise proactively with the Contract manager and/or deputies, about any issues and queries regarding service delivery with the Institute
Additional Services on request: Travel with Sports
Where requested and agreed, provide support to national (UK) and international training camps or events. This may include provision of soft tissue therapy, first-aid provision along with appropriate general/performance support duties as necessary.
Additional Services on request: Consultant
Act as a consultant to the Head of Physiotherapy and/or deputies on massage and soft tissue therapy professional issues and practice.
Essential qualification and certification:
Minimum level 4 sport massage diploma, or equivalent, from a recognised massage school and relevant experience
Current sports/emergency first aid certificate or equivalent
Membership of the Disclosure Scotland PVG scheme
Current or willing to obtain UKAD Clean sport advisor qualification (free qualification)
Insurance appropriate for treating professional athletes
Response requested: Potential contractors or companies who have relevant experience should submit a proposal (circa 500-word limit) demonstrating their suitability to provide the service(s) detailed above. Submissions should include:
Practice/delivery location
Fee structure (i.e. hourly, daily rate)
Relevant qualifications/experience
Details of two professional referees
Specifically if you would like to provide either of the additional services and relevant fees
Submissions should be emailed to contractforservices@sportscotland.org.uk