About PhysioWard
Get that
in your step
About PhysioWard
Welcome to PhysioWard Sports & Rehab! We are passionate about guiding our patients from injury to performance.
Whether you’re looking to improve your walking ability or achieve elite sports performance, our team of expert physios will work with you to create a personalised rehabilitation program that is tailored to your needs.
We help you reach your goals
We understand that diagnosing and treating an injury can be a daunting process, so we strive to provide our patients with all the support they need throughout their rehabilitation. Our goal is to help prevent re-injury and ensure that you make a full and speedy recovery.
Thank you for choosing PhysioWard Sports & Rehab – we look forward to helping you reach your performance goals!
Our Team
At PhysioWard Sports & Rehab, we are a team of highly qualified and experienced physios.
We use the latest research and clinical knowledge to create individualised rehabilitation programs for our patients.
We want to make sure our patients are adequately supported throughout their rehabilitation, and we work hard to prevent re-injury. Our team is friendly and professional, and we aim to guide our patients from injury to performance.
Meet Our Team
B.Hlth.Sci, M.Phty, APAM
Clinic Director Sam graduated from the University of Sydney in Australia with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Physiotherapy.
Sam has extensive experience working in private practice setting on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and North Shore and has been heavily involved in rugby his entire life. Sam is the current Head of Physiotherapy at Warringah Rugby Club and played 147 1st Grade games for the club over 10 years. Sam’s cliental have not solely been from a sporting background, as he has works daily with people of all ages and athletic abilities.
Sam’s experience has also involved working closely with people who have cerebral palsy providing manual therapy and supervised exercise programs at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Sam places a big importance on exercise prescription as the key to long term self-management of your body.
Sam is currently studying a Master of Philosophy by Research at the University of Sydney. He is investigating the biomechanics of the rugby tackle as a concussion prevention strategy.
Fun fact: Sam used to be a high-level downhill mountain biker winning multiple races at the State and National level. Sam’s is supported by his wife Ellen and his proudest achievement to date are their two daughters Sienna and Ruby.
Ba App Sci, MAPS
Gabriella has been a Physiotherapist for thirty years. She has completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Physiotherapy with High Distinction. Gabriella has worked at a number of leading Sports Practices throughout Sydney and owned her own thriving practice on the Northern Beaches for 22 years.
Gabriella has gained a wide range of postgraduate qualifications including Pilates, Traditional Acupuncture, and headache/jaw (TMJ) therapies. Gabriella has a special interest for treating all lower limb injuries and conditions and continues to receive regular referrals from leading knee, foot/ankle surgeons throughout Sydney. Gabriella is also passionate and highly experienced in all spinal care; ranging from acute to chronic, neck and jaw (TMJ) pain and all surgical rehabilitation.
“My continual goal is that every patient feels as though we have really found the core of their problem and they feel they have had a personalised, thorough, effective treatment.
Fun Fact: Gabriella grew up on a large sheep property near Yass/Gunning, being the 5th generation of Whittaker’s to own the property called “Wingara”, before coming to Sydney at 18 years of age to study Physiotherapy. Gabriella loves horse riding, snow skiing each year, visits to the country, and the lifestyle of the beautiful Northern Beaches.
B.App.Sci (Physio), MSportPhys
Kendal is a titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist.
Since graduating from Sydney University in 2011, she has worked in sports injury clinics across Australia and the United Kingdom. Kendal continued her professional education and completed a Masters in Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy from La Trobe University in 2019.
Kendal has extensive experience in Rugby, having been the head physiotherapist for a semi-professional Rugby team in the UK. She has worked with the NSW Schoolboys Rugby and NSW U19 Rugby teams. Kendal also has worked with elite Swimmers and Dancers.
Kendal understands the need to balance performance with injury prevention and enables people to get back to the sports or activities they enjoy. Whether that be an elite sport environment, returning to activities postnatally or someone just starting to exercise.
Kendal loves to try most sports- with her passions being Swimming, Netball and Snowboarding. Outside of Physiotherapy, she is a busy mum of 2 children under 2 years of age.
B.Phty, APAM
Lauren’s competitive nature and love of sports sparked her interest in physiotherapy, graduating from ACU in 2014 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and working in private practice ever since. She has a keen interest in Netball, having played both club and representative levels since age 8 as well as trying her hand at AFL,swimming and skiing.
Lauren loves working with anyone trying to improve their own health and wellbeing – no matter what the injury. She has a keen interest in lower limb injuries, especially sports injuries (especially prevention!), pre and post-surgical rehab, and is certified in hip/knee arthritis management with GLA:D (good life with arthritis). She is also trained in dry needling, cervicogenic headache treatment and Clinical Pilates.
“Growing up I played a lot of sport (netball, touch footy, AFL9s, swimming and surf club nippers) and was always really interested in how the body worked, how injuries occurred and how to get them better. My brother was also a national gymnast, so while travelling and watching national/international competitions high level athletes always sparked my interest. I enjoy working with people and seeing how quickly things can rehab when we address them quickly and effectively.”
Fun Fact: Lauren completed the Kokoda trail with her mum in 2015 and has not put those hiking boots on since. Outside of work she loves to spend time outdoors or in the water as well as cooking and any chance to travel and explore!
B.Phty., APAM
Noah completed his Bachelor of Physiotherapy at ACU. It was an appreciation of the body’s ability to adapt, strengthen and grow that drew Noah towards physiotherapy (that, and seeing his fair share of sporting injuries throughout childhood, which kept him well acquainted with his local physio team). Noah has a unique understanding of the mental and physical impact that injury can place on an individual, and the importance of a tailored and effective rehab program.
Noah has had experience in both acute and rehab hospital settings, working with orthopaedic, neurological, and post-surgical patients. He has had experience managing and triaging acute injuries whilst working in rugby and soccer clubs. Recently, he attended the International Rugby Academy of Australia Development Camp, as part of the medical team.
Noah has a particular interest in treating sporting-based injuries but ultimately what he enjoys most is helping his patients return to what they love doing most in their life.
Fun fact: While Noah’s not at work, he’ll either be writing music and playing gigs with his band, in the gym, or letting his two dogs take him for a run.
B.ExSc, M.Phty, APAM
Tim is a valuable member of our PhysioWard team, serving both our Narrabeen and Newport clinics.
Tim has extensive experience in various settings, including private practice, hospitals, sports clubs, and public facilities. He has worked with a diverse range of sporting teams, including SCEGGS basketball, UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs, Newport Rugby Club, and the International Rugby Association Australia. Tim currently serves as one of the Head Physiotherapists for Warringah Rugby Club.
Tim’s approach to physiotherapy emphasises mobility and strength, and he places a strong emphasis on educating patients about their bodies and helping them improve their movement patterns. He also employs Dry Needling, Manual Therapy, Clinical Pilates and Strength & Conditioning as treatment modalities. Tim is particularly interested in treating musculoskeletal and sports injuries, with a focus on shoulder, knee, ankle, pre/post-orthopaedic rehabilitation, and paediatric sporting injuries.
Tim’s achievements include:
· Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (UTS)
· Master of Physiotherapy (Sydney University)
· APA Level 1 Sports Physiotherapist
· ASCA Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach
· Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions
· Certificate III & IV in Fitness
In his free time, Tim enjoys a wide range of sports, including surfing, CrossFit, tennis, and running.
