Award-winning Notts County player revealed as new NRC Ambassador | Latest news

Notts County’s award-winning winger Jodi Jones has been announced as the newest Ambassador for the revolutionary National Rehabilitation Centre due to open later this year.

Jodi, 27, has a particular affinity with the new 70-bed NHS rehab centre as he has experienced a challenging personal rehabilitation journey himself following three almost career-ending cruciate ligament injuries in as many years.  

The Notts County star worked hard to recover from his repeated setbacks and went on to have his greatest season to date in 2023-24, being awarded both the EFL and club’s Player of the Season.

He said at the time: "The comeback is always greater than the setback and we all know how I respond to them."

Jodi is now hoping to use his personal experiences, particularly with his mental health during rehabilitation, to encourage patients coming to the NRC.

He said: “I know how important it is to have the right environment for rehabilitation with the correct facilities and equipment – and the NRC is an amazing space.

“As a professional footballer I was fortunate to do my previous rehab at the national football centre at St George’s Park, which is a fantastic facility.

“But for the general public to have somewhere just as impressive, if not more, is brilliant, as rehabbing from a serious injury is one of the toughest things a person can go through.

“I’m not sure people fully understand how much it can affect your mental health – they can see the physical side and the hard work you’re putting in, but mentally it’s a struggle.

“Having taken a look around, I know this facility is going to be a huge help to so many people and I’m really looking forward to seeing it completed.”

Miriam Duffy, NRC Director, said: “We’re delighted that Jodi has agreed to join the NRC team as an ambassador, bringing with him his personal experience of several periods of rehabilitation.  

“Jodi is an inspiring example of how a setback, followed by intensive and dedicated rehabilitation, can lead to a period of even greater success.

“We’re sure that our patients at the NRC will appreciate speaking to and hearing from Jodi, and that his openness around the challenges he faced during his rehabilitation journey will resonate with them too.

“The whole NRC team are looking forward to working with Jodi in his new ambassador role and continuing to develop our exciting partnership with Notts County.”

About the National Rehabilitation Centre

The National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) is a £105million programme which will create a 70-bed, purpose-built and highly energy efficient new facility. The specialist NHS facility will be built on the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough, home to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre which opened in 2018. The NRC is due to open later this year.  

In addition to providing excellent patient care, the NRC will also be a national hub for innovation, cutting-edge research and development, and training and education. Therefore, the NRC works with a national consortium of 24 universities across the country to ensure the NRC remains at the forefront of rehabilitation research and expertise.

Find out more about the National Rehabilitation Centre: nationalrehabilitationcentre.nhs.uk