High Performance ACL Program

Sydney West Sports Medicine aims to promote active lifestyles, improve overall health, fitness and wellbeing, and assist individuals in the management of pain, injury and chronic health conditions. Exercise and physical activity plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing chronic health conditions, aiding long-term athletic development and enhancing athletic performance. Our professional and knowledgeable Exercise Physiologists specialise in appropriate exercise prescription and interventions to achieve your desired goals.

Physical rehabilitation and Exercise Physiology can assist in the long-term management of chronic conditions such as Diabetes, whilst also helping to prevent certain diseases, maintain functional independence and increase Sports Performance in athletes.

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For any queries or for further information on our range of Sports Performance & Testing services please contact Sydney West Sports Medicine on 1300 13 SWSM.

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Your High Performance ACL Specialists

Sydney West Sports Medicine is owned and operated by a team of high profile sports medicine professionals. Our practitioners at Sydney West Sports Medicine are recognised as leaders in their field across many different sports. The team possesses an extensive client network at an elite and amateur sporting level, while also working with the general community on their health, disability, chronic conditions, and rehabilitation.

Chris Pappas

Director

Chris is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Sports Scientist with Exercise and Sport Science Australia.

He has a keen interest and vast experience in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries, injury prevention, strength and conditioning programs, athletic development and VO2Max testing. He has previously lectured at Australian Catholic University for the Masters of Exercise Physiology as well as presenting for Sports Medicine Australia, Sydney University, Australian Physiotherapy Association and The Australian College of Sports Physicians. Chris has contributed to articles for Men’s Health, The Sydney Morning Herald and is often called upon as an Independent Expert for complex legal matters.

Chris’ extensive work experience includes consulting for Cricket NSW, Football NSW, working with National Rugby League and NSW Cup players, National level Track and Field athletes, as well as professional Mixed Martial Artists. Chris is currently the Head of Sport Science & Strength and Conditioning at Sydney FC. He has a passion for delivering the latest science to improve movement, strength, mobility and performance.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Exercise Science
Masters of Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning)
Accredited Exercise Physiologist
Accredited Sports Scientist (Level 2)
ASCA Strength & Conditioning Coach (Level 2)
Level 1 ISAKEXOS Performance Specialist
FFA Conditioning License

Chris Pappas

Caitlan Skillicorn

APA Titled Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist

Caitlan is an APA Titled Exercise and Sports Physiotherapist at Sydney West Sports Medicine with a passion for helping athletes reach their peak performance. She is also the Head Physiotherapist for the Central Coast Mariners A-League Womens Team. Being personally frustrated by spending many seasons sidelined due to injury, Caitlan became a physiotherapist to better manage athletes back onto the pitch so they can spend more time playing. Caitlan has worked with a wide range of sports and teams from grassroots through to professional level, primarily based in football as well as rugby.

Caitlan has a keen interest in knee injuries, especially ACL rehabilitation and enjoys the challenge of helping athletes confidently return to the pitch stronger and more robust then they were before. She has a thorough understanding of the physical demands of football which enables her to design effective strength and conditioning programs that optimise performance while minimising injury risk.

Caitlan is passionate about empowering athletes to take control of their health and performance through education and personalised care. Whether on the field or in the clinic, she is driven by the desire to see her clients succeed and achieve their full potential. She is always looking to learn more and is a big advocate for continuing professional development to give her clients the best possible care.

Caitlan Skillicorn

Michael Wahlen

Physiotherapist

Michael graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelors of Sport and Exercise Science before going on to complete his Masters of Physiotherapy at the University of Sydney. Michael's passion for Physiotherapy has developed through his own background in sport particularly in soccer and cricket.

Michael has gained a wide range of experience from working in numerous high level sports settings including with Prospect United SC, Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC, Newington College Soccer, Athletics NSW, Netball NSW and Softball NSW.

Through his experience, Michael has gained a keen interest in the management of acute and chronic sporting and work injuries and enjoys working with clients in the rehabilitation process to ensure their return to work or high-performance sport. Michael looks to achieve this through the implementation of a combination of evidence-based treatment techniques including exercise prescription and manual therapy. Michael is also a strong advocate of continual professional development and lifelong learning.

Michael Wahlen

Ticara Geldenhuis

Strength & Conditioning Coach

Ticara Geldenhuis is a Strength and Conditioning coach who graduated from ACU in 2022 with a Bachelor of High Performance Sport. She has worked in organisations such as NSW Waratahs, Rugby Australia, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cronulla Sharks NRLW, Baseball NSW and South Sydney Rabbitohs Junior Pathways. Ticara also plays baseball and is a part of The Australian Women's team and debuted in 2023 in Thunder Bay, Canada.

Ticara Geldenhuis

Joel Atkins

Physiotherapist

Joel graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelors of Exercise and Sports Science before continuing on to complete his Masters of Physiotherapy. His passion for physiotherapy arose from his involvement in soccer and touch football from a young age. You could still encounter him on the soccer pitch, but more likely to find him climbing outdoors in his time away from work.

Joel has worked with a variety of elite sporting populations including the FFA Future Matilda's program, NSW Blues and Cricket NSW pathways systems, Gymnastics NSW and Prospect United SC. He also has a keen interest in ACL rehabilitation, developing and implementing the High Performance ACL program run at Sydney West Sports Medicine.

Joel takes pride in developing sporting/workplace injury frameworks and values the importance of key communication within the sporting team. He has a keen interest in acute injury management and the process of optimising injury recovery and performance throughout an athlete's recovery period.

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Joel Atkins

Sam Richardson

Exercise Physiologist

Sam Richardson

Blake Ford

Exercise Physiologist

Blake is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) and anAccredited Exercise Scientist (AES) with Sydney West Sports Medicine. Blakegraduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Health Science(Sport and Exercise Science) and Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology fromAustralian Catholic University.

Blake is passionate about sport, health and exercise which has guided him to pursue a career working in rehabilitation as an Exercise Physiologist. He utilises evidence-based practice and research to support his clinical reasoning and exercise prescription to treat acute, chronic and complex diseases and injuries. Blake actively encourages positive lifestyle behaviours and prescribes exercises that are tailored to the client’s desired goals and needs.

Blake has a strong interest in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, athletic development and sport-related injuries through his passion for soccer, having previously played at a semi-professional level for six years during his youth. He has developed a great understanding of load management strategies to optimise health outcomes and improve quality of life.

Outside of the clinic, Blake continues to play soccer competitively and is a fan of all sports. He also enjoys playing golf, exploring the outdoors and values spending quality time with family and friends.

Blake Ford

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