My journey to becoming an SEM Physician took 20 years from school to fellowship. I started with a physiotherapy degree before deciding to become a doctor and completing a post graduate medial degree. I took on a PhD at the same time as completing my fellowship with the college (both part time at various times) and had 2 children in that 6 years as well! I think the “balance” of clinical work, research and parenting helped me get through what probably should have been more stressful in hindsight than it felt at the time. I also had a village of support at home to allow me to pursue both my personal and professional goals at the same time.
My career highlights are working at 2 Olympic games (Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024) as the Matildas doctor as well as the 2023 FIFA Womens World Cup where I was sideline in the best seat in the house for the famous penalty shoot out win. During that time I also spent 3 years working as the Sydney Roosters NRL team doctor. It’s a privilege to be able to travel the world for my job and be trusted to make critical decisions on some of our nations most highly regarded sporting superstars.
In 2020, just as covid hit, I opened my own Sports Medicine Practice - Shire Sports Medicine as well as taking on the role as team doctor for both the Matildas and the Roosters. I continue to work in my clinic when I’m not travelling - which is now located in a building that I bought off the plan and custom designed and fitted out as both a sports medicine clinic and a rehab centre.
I am proud of my achievements but it hasn’t come without sacrifice and lots of help. I am a member of the Women in SEM Advisory committee because I truly believe in the saying you can’t be what you can’t see and I hope that my journey can help to inspire the next generation of women in sports medicine to feel that they can achieve their personal and professional goals. I would love to help create even more opportunities for women to thrive, break barriers, and ensure that their needs are understood and prioritized - whether that is female athletes or the female medical staff supporting them.