Practitioners

Sports Medicine Institute is located at 1 – 3 / 545 – 549 Kingsway Miranda NSW 2228

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Our Sports Medicine Doctors

Our practitioners remain at the cutting edge of their field by regularly attending and presenting at conferences, as well as contributing to research and education. They are involved in looking after a wide range of people from recreational exercise and sporting enthusiasts to Australia’s elite athletes.

Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician Dr George Pitsis performs all injections under ultrasound guidance for accuracy and achieving best results. These include Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), cortisone, prolotherapy, Synvisc and Durolane viscosupplementation, Autologous Tenocyte Implantation (ATI), and Orthokine.

Paediatric Rheumatologist and Sports Medicine Fellow Dr Damien McKay holds an appointment at The New Children’s Hospital, Westmead as well as being a Clinical and Research Fellow at The Children’s Hospital Institute of Sports Medicine (CHISM).

Podiatrists Mo Ali and Hussien Hamade use a state-of-the art 3 D scanning system and video gait analysis (VGA) to optimise orthotic prescription.

Physiotherapist Brendan Ford has vast experience utilising our on site gymnasium, Real Time Ultrasound (RTU) and EMG dual channel biofeedback techniques to optimise patient rehabilitation.

Performance Psychologist Dr Michael Martin deals with a wide variety of problems from Chronic Pain Syndromes to Sports Psychology for athletes of all calibres.

Please see a full list of our Practitioners below.

Practitioners

Dr George Pitsis

MB BS, Dip Paeds, M Sp Med, FACSEP

Specialist Sport & Exercise Physician

Dr George Pitsis first became interested in Sports Medicine after he sought treatment for a sports related injury.

He was impressed in the level of expertise and care that Sports Physicians had to offer and the positive effect it had on his sport. He has always enjoyed and participated in sports from a young age and helping people in general. It was only natural that once Dr Pitsis completed his medical degree at the University of Sydney in 1993 he would combine his love for sport and medicine.

On the path to obtaining his Fellowship with the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians in 2004, Dr Pitsis also completed his Diploma in Paediatrics in 1996 and a Masters of Sports Medicine at University of New South Wales 2002. This included a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport in 2000 during the Sydney Olympics.

Dr Pitsis has over 25 years’ experience as the physician for many elite sporting teams and has been involved in numerous Olympic and Commonwealth Games as well as World Championships. In 2013 he became the Chief Medical Officer for the Cronulla Sharks NRL team that lead to the club's inaugural premiership in 2016 and continues to be involved with the club in this capacity.

Dr Pitsis is the practice principal of ‘Sports Medicine Institute’ (SMI) located in the medical hub of the Sutherland Shire. SMI is a multi-disciplinary treatment centre where leading physician’s, surgeons and allied health professionals highly align to provide world class treatment and rehabilitation. It is regarded as one of the best sports treatment rehabilitation centres in the medical field. The institute has also a full-scale gymnasium and learning centre for Strength & Conditioning and education of elite athletes, patients, members and associates.

Dr Pitsis ensures that he remains at the cutting edge of Sports Medicine by attending and presenting at numerous conferences each year.

Dr Pitsis continually partakes in research and regularly publishes and studies international peer-reviewed journals. He is a member of the Australian Medical Association and also enjoys participating in the education of Registrars of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (University of Sydney)
Diploma in Paediatrics (Sydney Children’s Hospital, University of New South Wales)
Masters of Sports Medicine (University of New South Wales)
Fellowship of the Australasian College of Sports Physicians (FACSEP)

Professional Affiliations & Memberships
Fellow - Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians
Member – Australian Medical Association

Publications in refereed journals
George C. Pitsis, Kieran E. Fallon, Susan K Fallon and Ruth Fazakerley. The response of soluble transferrin receptor and iron related parameters to iron supplementation in iron depleted, non-anaemic elite female athletes. Sports Medicine Department, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia, 2000 - 2003. Clin J Sport Med 2004;14:300-304

George C. Pitsis, John P. Best and Martin Sullivan. Unusual stress fractures of the proximal phalanx of the great Toe: a report of two cases. Eastern Suburbs Sports Medicine Clinic, Sydney, 2001. Br J Sports Med 2004;38:e31

George C. Pitsis, Phillip Perry and Hans Van der Wall. Stress fracture of the proximal phalanx of the second toe: a case report. Clin J Sport Med, 2003; 13(2):118-9

George C. Pitsis, Lawrence Cohen, James Linklater, & Hans Van der Wall. Retinoid induced ossification of the interosseous membrane of the leg. Clin Nucl Med, Vol 30, No 2, February 2005.

Robert Seipel, James Linklater, George Pitsis, and Martin Sullivan. The Peroneocalcaneus Internus Muscle: An unusual cause of Posterior Ankle Impingement: A Case Report. Foot & Ankle Int, October 2005: Vol 26, No. 10: 890 - 893.

Warwick Bruce, Hans Van der Wall, Geoffrey Storey, Robert Loneragan, George Pitsis, Siri
Kannangara. Bone scintigraphy in acetabular labral tears. Clin Nucl Med 2004: 29(8): 465-8.

K Hazratwala et al, Acknowledgement George Pitsis. A radiographic investigation to determine the safety of suture anchor systems for paediatric modified brostrum ankle ligament reconstruction. Am J of Sports Med, March 2005: Vol 33, No. 3.

Professional Conferences & Appearances
The Role of a Sports Physician in a Multidisciplinary team – Invited speaker, Sports Chiropractic Association of Australia, International Federation Sports Chiropractic, Sydney Australia, 2014 & 2017.

The role of Sports Medicine in Musculoskeletal Causes of Pain – Invited Speaker, 1st, 2nd and 3rd multidisciplinary musculoskeletal ultrasound symposiums on pain management, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital Dec 2010 – 2012.

The role of Ultrasound in Sports Medicine – Invited speaker, Singapore, May 2010.

George C. Pitsis, Kieran E. Fallon, Susan K. Fallon and Ruth Fazakerley. The response of
soluble transferrin receptor and iron related parameters to iron supplementation in iron depleted, non-anaemic elite female athletes. Sports Medicine Department, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia, 2000. (Abstract) Australian College of Sports Physicians Registrars Conference Proceedings, Sydney, NSW, February 2002.
George C Pitsis. Creatine Supplementation in Athletes. (Abstract) Australian College of Sports Physicians Registrars Conference Proceedings, Mt Macedon, Victoria, February 2001.

George C. Pitsis and Kieran E. Fallon. Iron Deficiency in Athletes - The Role of Serum Transferrin Receptor Levels in the Assessment of Iron Status in Athletes: An update. (Abstract) Australian College of Sports Physicians National Conference Proceedings, Gold Coast, Queensland, November 2000.

Dr Damien McKay

MB BS BAppSc (Physiotherapy), Dip Paeds, M Sp Med, FRACP

Consultant Paediatrician - Paediatric Rheumatology & Paediatric Sports Medicine

Dr Damien McKay is a paediatrician specialising in paediatric and adolescent rheumatology and sports and exercise medicine. He cares for children and adolescents up to age 18, with a wide range of conditions including rheumatic diseases such as inflammatory arthritis, recreational and elite young athletes with acute or chronic sports injury, concussion, joint hypermobility, fatigue, and young athletes or children with chronic illness requiring assistance with exercise prescription.

Damien completed his medical studies at the University of Sydney in 2000, having previously completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy, and worked in orthopaedic and sports physiotherapy practices in Australia and the United Kingdom, providing a strong clinical base to build his expertise in paediatric rheumatology and sports and exercise medicine.

Damien subsequently developed a unique combination of expertise in paediatric rheumatology, following completion of specialist training at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, and Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, as well as expertise in paediatric sports medicine, following completion of a Masters in Sports Medicine and a Clinical Fellowship in Paediatric Sports Medicine at The Children’s Hospital Institute of Sports Medicine.

Damien currently holds appointments at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, The Children’s Hospital Institute of Sports Medicine and Liverpool Hospital, and is the Medical Officer for the Cronulla Sharks NRL Elite Academy and Junior Development Squads.

Damien also holds an appointment as a Clinical Lecturer with the University of Sydney in the Discipline of Paediatrics and Adolescent Health and has been an invited speaker at professional conferences and for key sporting bodies including the International Olympic Committee. He has authored or co-authored numerous publications in peer reviewed journals with his research interests including fitness assessment and exercise prescription in children with chronic illness, concussive head injury in youth athletes, and factors influencing injury in adolescent athletes, an area for which was appointed as a Scientific Advisor to the International Olympic Committee.

Damien has had involvement with sporting teams as a physiotherapist working for UNSW AFL Team in the Sydney AFL League as well as working as a physiotherapist at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Damien’s professional areas of interests include juvenile arthritis and paediatric sports injury.

Damien has research interests in fitness assessment and exercise prescription in children with chronic disease, as well as factors influencing injury in adolescent athletes and was an invited expert member of the International Olympic Committee Consensus Panel on Age Determination in the Elite Adolescent Athlete.

Damien currently holds the position of Chief Resident Medical Officer at Sydney Children’s Hospital Network – Westmead Campus as well as being a Clinical and Research Fellow at The Children’s Hospital Institute of Sports Medicine. Damien also holds an appointment as a Clinical Lecturer in the Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health of the University of Sydney.

Qualifications
Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP)
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (University of Sydney)
Bachelor of Applied Science – Physiotherapy (University of Sydney)
Diploma of Paediatrics (Sydney Children’s Hospital)
Masters of Sports Medicine (University of New South Wales)

Professional Affiliations & Memberships
Fellow - Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Associate Member - Australasian College of Sports and Exercise Physicians
Member - Australian Rheumatology Association
Member - Australian Paediatric Rheumatology Group

Key Publications
McKay D, Broderick C, Steinbeck K. The Adolescent Athlete: A Developmental Approach to Injury Risk. Pediatric Exercise Science. 2016 Oct 5:1-33.

de Silva V, Swain M, Broderick C, McKay D. Does high level youth sports participation increase the risk of femoroacetabular impingement? A review of the current literature. Paediatric Rheumatology Online J. 2016 Mar 11;14(1):16

Swain MS, Kamper SJ, Maher CG, Latimer J, Broderick C, McKay D, Henschke N. Short-term Clinical Course of Knee Pain in Children and Adolescents: A Feasibility Study Using Electronic Methods of Data Collection. Physiotherapy Research International. 2016 May 16.

Hulsegge G, Henschke N, McKay D, Chaitow J, West K, Broderick C, et al. Fundamental movement skills, physical fitness and physical activity among Australian children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Journal of Paediatric Child Health. 2015 51(4):425-32.

Henschke, N., Harrison, C., McKay, D., Broderick, C., Latimer, J., Britt, H., & Maher, C. Musculoskeletal conditions in children and adolescents managed in Australian primary care. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2104 15(1), 164

McKay D, Ostring G, Broderick C, Chaitow J and Singh-Grewal D. A feasibility study of the effect of intra-articular steroid injection on isokinetic muscle strength in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Pediatric Exercise Science. 2013 May;25(2):221-37.

McKay D, Henschke N. Plyometric training programmes improve motor performance in prepubertal children. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2012 Aug;46(10):727-8.

Engebretsen L, Steffen K, Bahr R, Broderick C, Dvorak J , Janarv PM, Johnson A, Leglise M, Mamisch TC, McKay D, Micheli L, Schamasch P, Singh GD, Stafford DE, Steen H. The International Olympic Committee Consensus statement on age determination in high-level young athletes. Br J Sports Med. 2010 Jun;44(7):476-84.

Broderick C, McKay D. Reducing the risk of injury in young footballers. British Medical Journal. 2009 Mar 18;338:b1050

Key Invited Presentations
Invited Speaker – “Therapeutics in Paediatric Rheumatology.” The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Paediatric Update; Westmead, NSW, November 18 2010

Invited Keynote Speaker – “Paediatric Sports Medicine for the Paediatric Rheumatologist.” Australian Rheumatology Association Paediatric Rheumatology Satellite Meeting; Melbourne, May 28 2010.

Invited Expert Address – “Changes in Injury Risk with Maturation - The Challenge of Protecting Athlete Safety”. International Olympic Committee Consensus Meeting on Age determination in the elite, adolescent athlete; Lausanne, Switzerland, December 3-4 2009.

Opening Keynote Lecture: “Paediatric Sports Injuries”. Sports Medicine Australia (NSW) Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport; Sydney, NSW, May 30 2009.

Invited Speaker – “Conditions Masquerading as Paediatric Sports Medicine Injuries” RACP Physicians Week 2009; Sydney, NSW, May 20 2009.

Invited Speaker: “Hypermobility, Sport, and Exercise” The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Annual Paediatric Update, November 19 2015.

Dr Anna Kropelnicki

BSc(Hons), BMBCh(Oxon), FRCS Tr&Orth, PGDipSEM, Ph.D.(Cantab)

Sports Orthopaedic Doctor

Dr Anna Kropelnicki became interested in sports medicine through her time as an elite athlete and while training as an orthopaedic surgeon in the UK. She specialises in injuries related to contact sports and ultra-distance events, concussion, traumatic injuries, and management of chronic sporting injuries, such as tendinopathies.

Anna trained in medicine at Oxford University graduating in 2006. She previously had completed a BSc(Hons) in neuroscience, and a Ph.D. in neuropsychology at Cambridge University. She then read medicine at Oxford University, originally intending to specialise in brain injury. However, her passion for sports pushed her towards trauma and orthopaedics. In 2018, Anna completed her specialist surgical training on the prestigious NWThames London Deanery Training Programme. Before starting as a consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Anna decided to embark on gaining some additional specialist experience taking up Fellowships in Sports Knee surgery in Scotland and in Sydney. Her passion for sport, however, shone through and she finally moved to train formally in Sports Medicine She is currently working towards gaining specialist status within Australia through the Overseas Trained Specialist programme.
Throughout her training Anna competed as an elite level goalkeeper in field hockey, her highest honours representing Scottish Universities. She also played in the National League for both indoor and outdoor hockey for many years representing some of the best clubs in the UK. After a serious injury ended her 25-year sporting career, Anna devoted her time to sports medicine completing a postgraduate diploma in sports and exercise medicine with Bath University in 2015. She spent much of her free time providing medical cover and improving medical provision for many sports, including extreme environment ultra-marathons, rugby, hurling, rugby league and several combat sports. She spent 3.5 years a club/team doctor for Saracen’s Women’s Rugby. Having then moved back to Scotland, Anna became (and continues as) Team Doctor for Scotland Rugby League.
Moving to Australia for a Fellowship in Sports Orthopaedics, Anna instantly began spending time working with various NWSRL clubs including North Sydney Bears, Glebe-Burwood and Cabramatta. Anna now works as assistant doctor with Cronulla Sharks in the NRL, and as Head of Medical for North Shore Bombers Australian Football Club. She also works in concussion research with Headsafe as a consultant clinical director, investigating better ways to diagnose and manage concussion.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Neuroscience (First class), University of Aberdeen
Doctor of Philosophy in Neuropsychology, University of Cambridge
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, University of Oxford
Postgraduate Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine, University of Bath
FRCS(Tr&Orth), Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations

Professional Affiliations
Fellow - Royal College of Surgeons (England)
Member - Australia College of Sports and Exercise Physicians
Member - Sports Medicine Australia
Member - British Association of Sports and Exercise Medicine
Member – British Orthopaedic Association

Key Publications
• Sophia Salazar, Femi Oyewole, Ted Obi, Rebecca Baron, Dylan Mahony, Anna Kropelnicki, Adrian Cohen, David Putrino, Adam Fry. Steady-state visual evoked potentials are unchanged following physical and cognitive exertion paradigms. (in press, Journal of Concussion)
• Kropelnicki A, Eaton R, Adamczyk A, Waterman J, Mohaghegh P. Establishing Local Diagnostic Reference Levels for Common Orthopaedic Procedures using the mini C-arm Fluoroscope. British J Radiology 2021 94(1117): 20190878
• Kropelnicki A and Platt WJ. Failure of the femoral component of a total knee replacement: a case report. JBJS Case Connector 2020 10(4)
• Kropelnicki A and Fritsch BA. PCL reconstruction in multi-ligament injured knees: State of the art. Asian Journal of Arthroscopy 2020 5(1): 20-26
• Akhtar A, Mitchell C, Assis C, Iranpour F, Kropelnicki A and Strachan RK. Cement Pedestal Spacer Technique for Infected Two-stage Revision Knee Arthroplasty: Description and Comparison of Complications. (2019) Indian J. Orthop. 53(6):695-699
• Kropelnicki A, Ali AM, Popat R and Sarraf KM. Paediatric supracondylar humerus fractures. (2019) BJHM 80(6): 312-316
• BONE Collaborative. Weight-bearing in ankle fractures: An audit of UK practice. The Foot (2019) 39: 28-36
• Kropelnicki, A. Impressions of Musculoskeletal Medicine Education in Current Doctors. (2018) WJMER 17(1): 36-41
• Cope TA and Kropelnicki A. Eye injuries in the extreme environment ultra-marathon runner. (2015) BMJ Case Rep. doi 10.1136/bcr-2015-210432
• Graham KS, Kropelnicki A, Goldman W and Hodges JR. (2003) Two further investigations of autobiographical memory in semantic dementia. Cortex 39: 729-750
• Graham KS, Goldman W, Kropelnicki A, Greene J and Hodges JR. Patterns of remote memory in Alzheimer’s disease: Implications for models of memory consolidation. (2002) J Cog Neurosci.

Key Presentations
• Missed coracoid fracture presenting with compression of the lateral cord of the brachial plexus. Abbott, S. and Kropelnicki, A. Poster presented at the 8th Annual Alcock Society Academic Conference, London. 14 April, 2017. (Winner – First prize, Anatomy Section)
• Cement pedestal spacer technique versus conventional technique in infected two-stage revision TKA. Aktar, A., Mitchell, C., Assis, C., Kropelnicki, A., Iranpour, F. and Strachan, R.K. Poster presented at British Orthopaedic Congress, Liverpool. 19-22 September, 2017
• Cement pedestal technique in first stage revision of infected knee arthroplasty. Poster presentation at Congresso Nacional de Orthopedia e Traumatologia, Porto, Portugal, 2016
• Attitudes to medical screening in ultra-marathon runners. Poster presentation at the BASEM/FSEM Annual Congress ‘Hear the Dragon Roar’, Cardiff, 2015
• Total wrist fusion using a volar locking plate. Podium presentation (presented by Miss. R. Chawla) at Federation of European Societies for Surgery of the Hand, Paris, France 2014
• The failed metal-on-metal hip after five years. Modes of failure: should the MHRA guidelines be extended? Podium presentation at British Hip Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Manchester 2012
• Acquisition of vocabulary in patients with bilateral medial temporal lobe damage: gist not specifics? Poster presented at Ninth Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, San Francisco, USA, 2002
• Semantic dementia and autobiographical recall: A linguistic perspective. Poster presented at the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Neuroscience Society, New York, USA, 2001

Dr Michael Martin

PhD, MA (San Diego), B App Sc (Human Movement), BA, Dip Ed, MAPS

Performance Psychologist

Michael has been coaching the mental game most of his working life. Helping committed performers take the next step didn't come as an academic calling, but out of being a frustrated coach.

In the eighties he was the NSW Surfing Coach and could see his athletes weren’t performing to their potential because of the pressure of competition. He started out looking for ways to help them win the mental game and it went from there. In the past 20 years he has had some great success stories - World record-holders; World Champions; Olympic Gold Medalists.

When I started working with athletes over 20 years ago I was on a steep learning curve. I had read the books and done the study, but I didn’t get the big picture of how high performance thinking really worked. It took me a long time to learn exactly what I needed to do and how I needed to do it. The upside of my long learning curve is that I learned from the ground up, from real performers, exactly what worked day-in-day-out and what was just theory. It emphasised to me that everything I do has to be very practical.

When I finally cracked the high performance thinking code I realized that it wasn't really all that hard after all. I've always tried to stick to one key principle: emphasise practical strategies and tactics that people can actually use to stay focused and positive. I also do my best to practice what I preach. My goal is to show you how you can do that, so you can consistently perform to the best of your ability.

I'm always working to stretch the limits of my knowledge and abilities. For instance, I still read sport, psychology and motivational books voraciously. I give talks on continuous high performance to several sport and professional groups each year. I like to share my knowledge, and I make it a practice to give away whatever I can.

One of my key values is “continuous personal best performance” (vs. winning) in sport. Everyone wants to win. That's why you are a committed performer. But as your performance levels progress, you might have found that it was a struggle. When you turn your attention to personal best performance, then competing becomes easier. You don't have to focus on winning your events, but delivering your very best effort. It's a big shift in perception.

What if you could be a great performer? What if you could double, triple or quintuple your competitive successes in only a few short years? I've done it with committed performers who learned that success depends not only on their ability to focus and stay positive under pressure, but to break through self-imposed limitations. There's no reason you can't do the same. I hope I can help you do so.

Dr Michael Martin is the former Head of Performance Psychology at the Australian Institute of Sport. He is also the former Head of Sport Psychology at New South Wales Institute of Sport. He has worked with Olympic teams, Paralympic teams, World Champions, World Record Holders and Olympic Medallists from over 40 different sports.

Mo Ali

Podiatrist

Dr Mo Ali (Podiatry) is a leading Sydney Sports Podiatrist with expertise focused on musculoskeletal injury management, shockwave therapy and orthotics therapy.

Mo has years of experience as a University lecturer in Podiatry (Advanced Lower Limb Bio-mechanics and Orthotic Manufacturing) at the University of Newcastle, and a strong background in competitive athletics where he competed in the 100 metre sprint at club and state level competition.

Dr Ali has spent the last 12 years as a Sports Podiatrist working with track and field athletes, distance runners,basketball and foot ball players and strength athletes. This varied experience gave him the passion for, and experience in treating and healing sports related injuries as well as biomechanical alignment and orthotic therapy. Combined with years working in the health and fitness industry as an experienced Personal Fitness Trainer and rehabilitation specialist, these unique attributes allow him to assess and treat patients with many and varied conditions ranging from competitive sporting athletes to general foot ailments. Dr Mo Ali is the most knowledgeable an experienced Sports Podiatrist at PodiatryFirst, he is to be able to help you get back into your activities quicker, give you the absolute best course of action for your issue and help you avoid complications and surgery.

Hussien Hamade

B.Pod, B. App. Sc. (Exercise & Sports Science), M.A.Pod A, AAPSM, SMA

Podiatrist

Hussien is a renowned Sports Podiatrist with expertise focused on musculoskeletal injury management, shockwave therapy and orthotic therapy.

Hussien graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2011 with a Bachelor of Podiatry with Distinction. Prior to this Hussien graduated from the University of Sydney in 2008 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Exercise and Sports Science.

With the combined knowledge and degrees, Hussien began his career at a sports biomechanics clinic specialising in lower limb biomechanics and postural assessment.

The next few years Hussien spent his clinical time working and being involved with various clinics across Sydney, from general podiatry to sports medicine clinics and diabetes high risk clinics. This experience allows Hussien to assess and treat patients with varied conditions ranging from competitive sporting athletes to general foot ailments.

Hussien has an interest in all aspects of podiatry, with a particular interest in Human Biomechanics and Gait Analysis, Sports Podiatry, Diabetic foot care and Ingrown Toenail Surgery. He has also completed various courses including Lower Limb Biomechanics Module I & II from the International College of Biomechanics, Dry Needling for soft tissue injuries, Foot Mobilisation Techniques and Management of sports related injuries. Hussien is also trained in injection therapy including Prolotherapy for the lower limb. This varied experience enables Hussien to successfully treat and heal sports related injuries as well as biomechanical alignment and orthotic therapy.

Hussien regularly attends various conferences and workshops to ensure he is keeping up with the latest research and evidence-based practice in order to have the most effective management and treatment modalities available to his patients. He also regularly supervises students from various universities studying the Podiatry program.
In his spare time Hussien enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and friends. He also enjoys various sports including Rugby League, Soccer and Tennis.

Peter Petrou

B Health Science, M OT

Occupational Therapist

After finishing his studies with a Bachelor of Health Science and a Masters in Occupational Therapy, Pete has continued to refine and specialise his skills in upper limb injury management and sports-related rehabilitation.

Pete developed an interest in sports, and has adapted an holistic approach to rehabilitation, ensuring all aspects of an individual are considered to optimise functional performance and engagement in tasks which people enjoy.

In addition to his studies, Pete has played soccer at a state level, and has competed in a variety of local and state titles in Mixed Martial Arts. Because of his personal interests, formal studies, and professional training, Pete has a unique skill set, to assist people and athletes on their recovery, and performance journeys.

The general focus of therapy is to empower people, and ensure they are provided with the right amount of information, to help with their rehabilitation at home, and in the clinic.

Interests: Pete enjoys watching the English Premier League and supports Chelsea FC. In addition to this, he is an avid Martial Artist, and truly loves Brazilian JiuJitsu, which he presently trains and teaches. “

Brendon Ford

B App Sc (Exercise & Sports Science), M Phty, M Phil (Medicine)

Physiotherapist

Brendon is a practicing physiotherapist that has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sports Science), Master of Physiotherapy and Master of Philosophy (Medicine) since 2013.

Brendon has graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sports Science), Master of Physiotherapy and Master of Philosophy (Medicine). He began worked at multiple physiotherapy clinics boosting his knowledge and experience that enhance patient care. Brendon’s interest in sports has seen him work with various elite sports teams including Sydney Olympic FC, Illawarra Country RLC, Kingsgrove Colts RLC, Helensburgh Tigers and Helensburgh Thistles FC.

Brendon continues to enhance his skills and knowledge by having completed his APA Level 1 and 2 Sports courses, Dry Needling Course and becoming a Sydney University Student Clinical Educator in 2011. Brendon has completed his studies in shoulder pain at the University of Sydney as part of his Master of Philosophy.

Brendon has special interest in shoulder, hip and knee injuries and has extensive experience in the area of advanced strength and conditioning.

Tom Stretton

B Ex Sci (Rehab), M Phty

Exercise Physiologist and Physiotherapist

Tom begun his studies at the University of Wollongong completing his Bachelor of Exercise Science in 2016 before his Graduate Diploma of Rehabilitation in 2017. He then went on to complete his Master of Physiotherapy degree where he graduated from the University of Sydney in 2019 making him a dual qualified Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Physiotherapist.

Dual qualification allows Tom to work with you in any stage of your rehabilitation whether it be from initial injury or later stage strength and conditioning. He enjoys working with a variety of different populations but has a particular interest in working with chronic pain sufferers, helping to improve their pain, function, and disability while returning them to the aspects of their life that they value most.
Outside of clinical practice, Tom lives an active lifestyle playing soccer and exercising outdoors.

Darren Watt

Dip (Remedial Massage)

Remedial Massage Therapist

Darren's passion lies in massage, care & rehabilitation in sports and everyday people. He finds it thoroughly rewarding to assist people & players to reach their full potential and achieve their goals both on and off the field & in everyday life through massage.

Qualifications:
Diploma in Remedial Massage and Client Assessing
Certificates Level 1 & Level 2 ‘Sport Medicine’ facilitated by SMA Australia
Joined AMT – Associations of Massage Therapists

Experience:
Remedial massage Therapist – St George Illawarra Dragons, Australian u23’s Junior Kangaroo’s, Australian Jillaroo’s, NRL Referees, Parramatta Eels, Cronulla Sharks, Chiefs Rugby Union, Southern Sports Physiotherapy, Sports Medicine Institute.

First Aid Officer/Strapper & Massage Therapist - Australian Wheelchair Rugby League Team, England Wheelchair Rugby League Team, NSW Wheelchair Rugby League Team.

Trainer/First Aid Officer/Strapper & Massage Therapist – St George Illawarra Dragons Canterbury Cup Team, Helensburgh Tigers RLFC, Illawarra Hawks NBL (Assistant only).

First Aid Officer Strapper & Massage Therapist - South Coast School Sports Association, Sydney East School Sports Association, Oz Tag Australia

Tom Wilson

B Ex Sc (Strength and Conditioning/Sports Coaching)

Sports Scientist

Tom is an accredited exercise scientist, with a passion for improving sports performance. As a semi professional soccer player, he’s been exposed to what it takes to play and win in an intensive sporting environment. Through working with professional and amateur athletes, he has developed training programs to improve movement capabilities and increase speed, to give an edge of competition.

Tom has held positions in Athletic Performance departments of national organisations preparing full time professional athletes for demands of the sport. He’s managed private sports academy’s strength and conditioning programs with young athletes from varying sports. He’s been involved with corporate health companies focusing on improving targeted initiatives to achieve health and productivity outcomes. Tutored and lectured at University in exercise prescription, exercise testing and exercise physiology. He’s also consulted to movie production companies to achieve physical outcomes for professional actors. Tom has coached many clients and athletes to improve health, performance and fitness goals.

He is also the founder of Sports Speed Academy, an innovative coaching company with a focus on speed and agility improvement in amateur, semi pro and professional athletes.

“I grew up in the Sutherland shire, went to school locally and studied at Australian Catholic University. I developed a love for all sports and was lucky enough to travel NSW and Australia with representative soccer. I always enjoyed learning about the body, how it moves, recovers, what works and what doesn’t in preparation for sport, fitness and life. I’m always curious, never ignorant and hope to never stop learning. I try to improve everyone I coach and always keen for a good laugh!”

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning/Sports Coaching)
Level 1 ASCA Strength and Conditioning Coach
AES – accredited exercise scientist (ESSA)
Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Member
SMA Sports Trainer
ASCA Strength and Conditioning Coach

For more info visit: https://www.sportsspeedacademy.com.au/join

Dr Thea Werkhoven

Dietitian

Dr Thea Werkhoven practices dietetics with a holistic approach, supporting clients to habituate healthy eating practices and overcome barriers to change.

Thea’s approach to dietetics is client-centred and moves beyond one-size-fits all therapies. With more than ten years experience helping a wide variety of people with chronic health conditions, new diagnoses, disordered eating patterns and setbacks from injuries, Thea draws on an evidence-based approach to listen to a client’s needs and co-create incremental goals relating to diet, physical activity and lifestyle.

A specialty of Thea’s approach is her knowledge, commitment and ability to recognise that health is not dependent on size, shape or classical restrictive eating patterns. Instead, Thea coaches her clients to move towards intuitive and mindful eating practices, focusing on normalising eating patterns to suit metabolic rate, lifestyle and health goals. Sustainability of new nutrition habits and eating patterns is a focus that Thea is passionate about, not only prescribing nutrition therapy to clients but matching it with education so each person understands the rationale behind the changes and apply the bespoke recommendations with increased motivation.

Thea’s drive to help people saw her enrol in a PhD at the University of Sydney, taking up a position lecturing in nutrition at the same time. She has educated thousands of young students in healthy eating practices, focusing on delivering an education that stimulates each student to walk away from her courses with accurate knowledge that empowers them to make positive changes to their own nutrition habits. Students have gone on to transfer degrees and take up dietetics after discovering the joy of helping someone through the transfer of knowledge under Thea’s tutelage.
Her research has investigated ways to improve the higher education provided to future health and nutrition professionals who often lack an understanding of the complex aetiologies of obesity and how to educate and treat people at a higher weight in a neutral an unbiased way. The thesis that Thea submitted published a novel intervention that achieved her goal of improving nutrition knowledge and decreasing weight bias and she has gone on to publish peer reviewed articles in scholarly journals, book chapters and present at international conferences.

An initial session with Thea will provide you with the opportunity to lay out your current nutrition habits and eating practices in a supportive and judgement-free environment. Thea will collect relevant biochemical data from blood tests and your referring doctor if you have one and construct a plan to get you on your way. Subsequent follow-up appointments provide you with the chance to relay what you have been able to achieve from the negotiated goals and work around barriers that may have arisen in the meantime. Setbacks are never source of shame in Thea’s care, rather they demonstrate effort and the need for a different pathway. Book in to see Thea now, all appointments are welcome including care plans, doctor’s referrals or on a whim.

Alice Willenbrock

BAppSc Exercise & Sport Science/Nurtition

Sport Scientist/Nutritionist

“To me, exercise, nutrition and mental & physical health are closely interlinked and should always be considered together when embarking on a journey to better health.

Having to deal with several health issues in the past I discovered how much of a difference proper exercise and nutrition can make. How we treat our body can have a huge impact on our health and how we feel about ourselves. So I decided to dive deeper with a University degree in Exercise and Nutrition. However the mental health component was lacking in my eyes. So I first became a yoga teacher and then took further training to become a yoga therapist, being able to provide a balance of Western medical background as well as a more integrative and holistic approach to health and wellbeing.
Everybody is unique - I want to work with YOU to achieve your fitness and health goals on all levels no matter where your starting point is at.
My goal is to provide people with the knowledge and skill to live a healthy and happy life taking into account how they nourish and treat their body and mind as well as leading the fittest and healthiest life they can. “

Qualifications
BAppSc Exercise & Sport Science/ Nutrition at the University of Sydney
Cert III & IV in Fitness through TAFE
Rehabilitation, Injury Prevention & Movement Restoration Coach through the Functional Trainings Institute
Registered Yoga Teacher and Therapist with Yoga Australia
Registered Yogalates Teacher

Want to know more? Have a look at her facebook page: www.facebook.com/uniique.alice

Nader El Sayed

B.Pod

Podiatrist

Dr. Nader (Podiatry) graduated from the University of Western Sydney having completed a Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine. Nader found an interest in specialising in Biomechanics.

He is well trained in analysing musculoskeletal biomechanical deficits. His expertise includes employing a structured patient centred care plan that treats the cause and not solely the symptom to provide pain relief and patient centred satisfaction. Dr. Nader is also specialised in dealing with dermatological conditions alongside nail conditions such as ingrown toenails and fungal infections. He has also had experience at Newcastle John Hunter Hospital dealing with high risk conditions that required rehabilitation in active phases of ulcerations, degenerative lower limb conditions and post amputee patients. Dr. Nader (Podiatry) is an advocate of developing a patient centred management plan to speed up the process of recovery whilst being able to enjoy everyday life.

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Nader El Sayed

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