Paul Parker

Physiotherapist & Owner

Paul started SportsMed NQ in Townsville in 1995. The business has grown from 1 physiotherapist to 3 locations across Townsville. Paul enjoys working with a great group of physio’s, who continue to improve skills and knowledge to better serve Townsville clients.

Paul has a strong interest in sports rehabilitation which is evident through his involvement with a number of different sporting organisations including: Junior Queensland Football, Townsville Fury A League Club from 2009 (currently acting as a consultant), and Townsville Crocodiles from 1998.

Paul's specialty is working with post operative rehabilitation of the knee, shoulder and back, doing post operative clinics for several orthopaedic surgeons. He is also very passionate about real time ultrasound for muscle retraining for conservative rehabilitation of lumbar spine. Paul has shared his expertise in this area as a key note speaker at conferences in Malaysia and Sydney. And is also a regular guest speaker for Sports Medicine Australia conferences and Tropical Medical Training.

Max Murray

Physiotherapist

Max grew up in the Burdekin before moving to Townsville to study at James Cook University. Max graduated from JCU in 2008 with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy after completing practical work in Cairns, Darwin and Townsville. Max joined the SportsMed NQ team in 2009 and has been a valued member of the team ever since. Max particularly enjoys basketball, which he has played from a young age and has been fortunate enough to work with both the Townsville Crocodiles and Townsville Fire National Basketball teams. Max has completed various professional development courses over the years including dry needling, Level 1, 2 and 3 Sports Physiotherapy and more. Max enjoys rehabilitating knees and ankles as it allows him to be creative with different exercises in the gym.



Max is available for bookings at the Hyde Park clinic.

Physiotherapist & Pilates Instructor

Tamara has over 10 years of experience as a physiotherapist and clinical Pilates instructor.



Her true passion is physiotherapy for dancers – enjoying the challenge of working with clients who push their bodies to the extremes of flexibility, endurance, and strength. She has done various workshops with dancers to educate them about safe stretching and strengthening, and to get them ready to go onto pointe. Tamara specialises in pre-pointe assessments for the younger dancer.



Tamara’s other passion is physiotherapy and clinical Pilates for the pre and post-natal clients. Her interests include strengthening the core and pelvic floor during and post-pregnancy, safe exercise during pregnancy, and physiotherapy treatment for pregnancy-related conditions and pain. Tamara runs our Mums and Bubs classes during and post-pregnancy.



Tamara has also completed courses in advanced Dry Needling and focuses on hands-on manual therapy techniques during her physiotherapy consult sessions.



You can be assured that your treatment with Tamara will be professional and individualized to your needs.

Darren Dal Zilio

Physiotherapist

Darren graduated from James Cook University as Physiotherapist in 2017 where he began his career at SportsMed NQ. Darren’s passion for sports and physiotherapy started from a young age, having played over 13 years of football (soccer) around his home region; FNQ. Daren’s playing career took a back seat when starting university as throughout his study he worked with SportsMed NQ as a Sports Trainer. His main role was with the Norther Fury Football Club but you may have seen him around at numerous other sporting events around the Townsville region.

In 2018, Darren became the Physiotherapist of the North Queensland United NPL Football team. Since the Townsville state-league teams folding, Darren now works with the North Queensland Football SAP/TSP programs and as well as with MA Olympic Football club.

Darren is always looking to improve his knowledge and skill set having completed numerous CPD courses including: Diploma of Football Medicine, Sports Level 1, Shoulder Level 1, Spinal Level 1, Dry needling and Level 1 Strength and Conditioning.

Darren has a keen interest in sports related injuries (especially football), acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions and post-operative rehabilitation. His main aim is to decrease time lost due to injury.

Taylor Just

Physiotherapist & Pilates Instructor

Taylor graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at JCU Townsville in 2019. Taylor has always had a passion for providing holistic, client centered care. She has a particular interest in treating lower back, hip, knee, ankle and sporting injuries.

Taylor’s passion for physiotherapy and sports started from a young age, having trained for 13 years in dancing in her hometown Mackay. Taylor’s background in dance includes ballet, jazz, tap, cabaret, contemporary and Latin dancing. Her background in dance has formed an interest in physiotherapy treatment for dancers and dance related injuries.

Taylor is a qualified clinical Pilates instructor and is experienced in both mat and equipment. Taylor enjoys the benefits Pilates has on the core, muscular control, flexibility and strength. She has also completed training in the application of dry needling in clinical practice. Taylor looks forward to completing many more clinical courses over the following years to expand her knowledge of injury treatment and management options.



Taylor is available for bookings at the Core Movement clinic.

Sarah Bell

Exercise Physiologist

Sarah completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement Studies) at RMIT Melbourne in 1995 and commenced her career in orthopaedic, cardiothoracic and spinal post operative rehabilitation assisting the Physiotherapy team. Sarah decided to return to her home town of Townsville for the warmer weather , taking a position with WorkCover QLD as a rehabilitation and return to work Case Manager.

In 2000 Sarah established her own business providing occupational rehabilitation, physical reconditioning, chronic disease management & injury prevention services to clients until 2004. During this period Sarahs’ experience included providing exercise prescription and health prevention services for the Mater Hospital within the Cardiac and PTSD units.

Sarah then moved in to education and taught casually for a few years in local primary schools, before returning to her first love – Exercise Physiology. Sarah became a member of the SportsMed NQ team in late 2013 and enjoys being able to contribute to such a vibrant and professional group of clinicians. Sarah gets great satisfaction working in preventative health care, knowing that she can assist clients reach their best with optimal health and wellbeing outcomes. “I am particularly interested in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and chronic disease management and I’m keen to continue gaining further knowledge and expertise in these areas.” said Sarah

Sarah has a good family/work balance and feels blessed to have plenty of quality time with her husband, two boys and friends doing the things they love; such as camping, walking along our beautiful Strand and just hanging out with no agenda.

Linda Pinker

Exercise Physiologist

Linda graduated from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane in 2009 and from there she relocated Linda has been working as an Exercise Physiologist at SportsMed NQ since 2010. Over this time she has had the opportunity to assist hundreds of wonderful clients in many different areas. Linda is passionate about hydrotherapy and spends a lot of time in the water working with clients who suffer from chronic pain, recovering from surgeries and also assisting those with mental illness (to mention a few). Linda is a qualified Wellness Coach and incorporates the psychology of health coaching into her sessions to help people reach their best potential. Linda also works with many individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, running PD Warrior classes in the clinic and also home visits. Additional classes that Linda is instructing during the week include; Pilates mat classes, Pregnancy hydrotherapy, High intensity hydrotherapy, Low intensity hydrotherapy and Pilates in the pool (Hydrolates).

Christine Hopkins

Massage Therapist

As one of Sportsmed NQ’s sought after remedial massage therapists; Christine specialises in fascia treatment and Deep tissue, Reflexology, trigger point therapy, sports massage and much more. Her skills are designed to help you with pain, discomfort and lack of movement, which is what she finds most rewarding. Helping people gain a full range of movement and walk out with a reduction in pain is the reason Christine is passionate about her job.

Kristen Smith

Receptionist

Having grown up in small mining communities, Kristen has called Townsville home since 2005. After commencing a Bachelor of Primary Education degree at James Cook University, she found her true calling working in Medical Administration. In 2013 Kristen joined the SportsMed NQ Physio team, working at both the Hyde Park and North Shore clinics.



Outside of work, you can find Kristen spending quality time with her family and friends. She enjoys getting out into nature, camping, fishing and watching her daughters grow up before her eyes (she only wishes that it wouldn't happen so quickly)!

Carla Edwards

Physio Aide

Hayden Singe

Physiotherapist

Hayden is a Senior Physiotherapist who joins us from Country Victoria where he worked in private practice following his graduation from Charles Sturt University in 2016. Hayden spent much of his free time in Victoria working with elite junior AFL athletes through the Victoria Country AFL Academy. Hayden has brought his extensive knowledge of AFL to North Queensland where he works closely with the Junior Gold Coast Suns Academy, as well as other elite level junior sports including the Junior North QLD Football SAP/TSP. In addition to Hayden’s Physiotherapy qualifications, he is also an accredited level 1 Strength and Conditioning coach. Hayden’s clinical interests include musculoskeletal injuries such as back and neck pain. Hayden also has furthered his knowledge with chronic pain, vestibular and dizziness.

Hayden is available for bookings at the Hyde Park clinic.

Christopher O'Dempsey

Physiotherapist

Chris graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and has a keen interest in treating musculoskeletal and sporting injuries. Having grown up in Townsville, Chris played a range of sports including Hockey, Swimming, and Rowing and is an avid Rugby League supporter. Chris is also an active member in the Townsville sporting community, providing coverage for local soccer, netball, and AFL, alongside working as a high school rowing coach since 2017.



Chris is available for bookings at both the North Shore and Hyde Park clinic.

Jaimee Mather

Physiotherapist

Hi!

I’m Jaimee, and I’m one of the new physiotherapists here at SportsMed NQ Townsville. I am originally from the Atherton Tablelands in FNQ, and decided to move to Townsville to pursue university in 2018. I graduated from James Cook University in 2021 and I am excited to see where my career takes me!

I come from an active background, growing up spending my holidays traveling and exploring with my family, and my weekends playing netball for my local competition. This is where my passion started, when I first saw a physiotherapist for knee and ankle pain. This then inspired me to pursue a career in physiotherapy where I could help others in the same way! I have a particular interest in lower limb conditions, as well as injuries in active kids.

In my spare time, I enjoy keeping active, cooking, playing netball and tending to my houseplant collection. I love exploring, having walked the Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island, and have also travelled to the Whitsundays, Uluru, Karumba, Tasmania, the Great Ocean Road, and Central QLD, just to name a few!

Sophie Watson

Physiotherapist

Sophie graduated from James Cook University Townsville with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and was warmly welcomed into the SportsMed NQ & Core Movement NQ teams.



Sophie developed a passion for musculoskeletal physiotherapy through her involvement in representative basketball and netball teams from a young age. She currently plays premier league netball for Highlanders netball club and is a sports trainer for the Townsville City Netball Association junior competition. Sophie has a particular interest in rehabilitation following sporting injuries and enjoys helping people return to previous function following surgery.



Sophie is a qualified Pilates instructor in both Matwork and Reformer, allowing her to instruct individual and group-based exercise classes. She is excited to begin her career with Sportsmed and Core Movement and looks forward to providing professional and holistic treatment tailored to your needs.

Kate Barry

Physiotherapist

Kate was very excited to join the SportsMed NQ team after graduating from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Growing up in Cairns, Kate has always lived an outdoors, active lifestyle with a history in dance, long-distance running and, more recently, rugby union. During her studies, she worked with a variety of local netball, AFL and soccer teams which has developed her interest in sporting related injuries. Kate is a qualified Pilates mat and reformer instructor and has a keen interest in the role it plays in rehabilitation programs, particularly in women’s health and pre-and postnatal recovery. She hopes to treat everyone with empathy and help people with chronic pain live an active lifestyle doing all the things they love to do.

In her spare time, you will find Kate and her dog Arnold on a hike or out camping

Kate is available for bookings at both the Hyde Park and Pimlico clinics.

Nathanael Taviringana

Exercise Physiologist & Pilates Instructor

Nathanael grew up in Mackay and decided to move up to Townsville to study at James Cook University. In 2020, Nathanael graduated with a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology, and joined the team at Sports Med NQ. Nathanael is a strong believer that movement is medicine for ALL stages of life and believes in its importance for physical, mental and social well-being.



Nathanael enjoys working with a wide range of clients with varying conditions, however he has a particular interest in musculoskeletal rehabilitation -assisting those with sporting injuries, pre and post-operative rehabilitation, chronic conditions, and injury prevention. Nathanael is also a Pilates and hydrotherapy instructor allowing him to utilise these modalities as part of treatment.



Nathanael is available for bookings at both the Hyde Park and Core Movement clinic.

Tyla Stallan

Physiotherapist

Tyla graduated from James Cook University Townsville with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and eagerly began her career with SportsmedNQ and Core Movement NQ. Having grown up in Townsville, Tyla developed her interest in physiotherapy and musculoskeletal injuries through her involvement in representative basketball and long distance running from a young age.  It was through these experiences Tyla had the opportunity to work with children through various coaching roles and developed her passion working with paediatric conditions. Tyla completed a work experience placement at SportsMed NQ in high school, inspiring her to return and begin her physiotherapy career with the SportsMed NQ & Core Movement group. Tyla is excited to provide personalised treatment for your needs and is available for bookings at SportsMedNQ and Core Movement.