RCC Students Support the Hamilton Tiger-Cats with On-Site Sports Massage Therapy

This spring, students from the Royal Canadian College of Massage Therapy had the unique opportunity to bring their classroom skills to the field—literally—by working with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, one of the CFL’s most storied franchises.

As part of RCC’s outreach program, a select group of upper-term students provided supervised massage therapy treatments to professional athletes during the team’s training camp. The experience offered a rare chance to apply sports massage techniques in a fast-paced, high-performance environment, and to witness first-hand the demands placed on elite-level athletes.

"Working with the Tiger-Cats was incredible," said one student. "It really reinforced the importance of communication, pressure sensitivity, and tailoring each treatment to the athlete’s needs—often within a limited time frame."

Students were accompanied by RCC clinical instructors who provided real-time support and mentorship while ensuring that treatments aligned with professional standards. This event not only allowed students to hone their hands-on skills but also exposed them to the broader world of interprofessional collaboration—an essential part of healthcare today.

Outreach opportunities like this are a cornerstone of RCC’s massage therapy program. They allow students to build confidence, expand their resumes, and explore different areas of clinical practice—all while giving back to the community.

We’re incredibly proud of the professionalism and enthusiasm our students showed throughout this partnership and look forward to building on this relationship with the Tiger-Cats in future seasons.