Passion to purpose: NHS to Pitch Side with SE Dons

Published

15 April 2025

For Alison Maloney, physiotherapy was more than a degree – it became her calling. A proud Londoner, Alison combined her twin passions for football and healthcare into a career dedicated to making a difference.

Arriving at UEL to study BSc Physiotherapy as an 18-year-old, Alison instantly felt at home. “I loved it from day one,” she recalls. “There was so much support, and not just academically. We received guidance on thinking ahead about jobs and our futures.”

During her time at UEL, Alison witnessed the transformation of East London in the lead-up to the 2012 Olympics. She studied and worked across the area, especially in Newham hospitals, gaining vital NHS experience through placements. “It was incredible to see the regeneration firsthand. Being part of something bigger, it made me so proud to be from here.”

Image captionAlison Maloney supporting a player on the football pitch.

“From pitch-side to the NHS wards, my time at UEL was instrumental in shaping the physiotherapist I am today. The support, teaching, and inclusive environment not only equipped me with essential professional and life skills, but also gave me friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Alison quickly carved out her niche in elderly rehabilitation, working with specialist intermediate care teams. “You’re helping people regain something they thought they’d lost—whether that’s walking again or just feeling a little more independent. It’s the kind of work that humbles you.”

SE Dons and the Power of Grassroots Football

But Alison’s story doesn’t stop in the clinic. Her love for football was always in her bloodstream, and non-league football quickly stole her heart.

She began volunteering with Greenwich Borough, falling in love with the grassroots game and the sense of community it fostered. This passion found its perfect expression with SE Dons, who at the time, were one of the world’s most influential Sunday League clubs. What started as a role on the sidelines evolved into something much bigger.

“It’s uncanny walking down the high street and being recognised. SE Dons gave me visibility I never expected. It opened doors—into media, and social impact work. They really helped me grow up, both professionally and personally.”

Image captionAlison Maloney supporting SE Dons Goalkeeper George Kamurasi.

Through SE Dons, Alison has combined her clinical skills with creativity, helping drive conversations around excellence in grassroots football, diversity, and community health.

She’s managed pitch side injuries during high stakes matches, including the 2024 London Cup final between Baiteze and SE Dons, which had over 3000 people in attendance at Plough Lane, home to AFC Wimbledon. Another career highlight was working one of their charity games at Selhurst Park, the home of Crystal Palace Football Club.

Alison now splits her time between the NHS, working at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust as a specialist physiotherapist, and football, working with London’s oldest football club Cray Wanderers.