Sports Physiotherapist, Researcher, Mentor, Non-Executive Director (WA)

Garry Allison is an ASMF Fellow, Adjunct Professor of Neurosciences and Trauma Physiotherapy, Titled APA Sports Physiotherapist, a former AIS Research fellow, and WAIS coach. As a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors he holds Director roles in a Primary health care service  including delivery of aboriginal medical health services, youth mental health services (Deputy Chair of Board and Chair of clinical governance and quality), the Australian Sports Medicine Federation (Executive member and Chair of the FARM) and position on a number of executive committees including the Clinician Research Fellowships Advisory Committee, the Forrest Research Foundation Fellows and Scholarships. Formerly Dean of Research in Health Sciences, Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate DVC-Research Excellence at Curtin University, he now has retired from academia to continue work in developing healthcare systems and services (National Train The Trainers programs Ex. Phys – Spinal Cord Injury), mentoring and developing International partnerships for the Path of Hope Foundation.

Exercise Science (QLD)

Belinda Beck is a Professor of Exercise Science at Griffith University (Gold Coast, QLD) and the Menzies Health Institute Queensland. Her work, primarily related to the effects of mechanical loading on bone, has involved both animal and human models, from basic to clinical research. Her particular focuses have been exercise interventions across the lifespan for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures, and the management of bone stress injuries in athletes and military recruits. She is founding Director of The Bone Clinic, a translational research facility and clinical practice providing evidence-based exercise (Onero) for people living with osteoporosis. She is a Fellow of Sports Medicine Australia (SMA), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Exercise Sports Science Australia (ESSA). She is Chair of the ESSA Research Committee and has served on the SMA QLD State Council and SMA and ESSA Conference Program Committees.

Podiatrist, Sports and Exercise Scientist, Academic (QLD)

Luke Kelly is an Associate Professor of Allied Health Research and Director of the Australian Centre for Precision Health & Technology, at Griffith University. He is a trained podiatrist (QUT) with a PhD in Biomechanics and Motor Control (University of Queensland). Luke served on the SMA conference committee from 2015 to 2024, co-chairing the committee from 2021 to 2024. He was previously a Director and Vice-President, Sports and Exercise Podiatry Australia (2017- 2024) and is currently an elected member of the Executive Council for the International Society of Biomechanics.

Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician (VIC)

Originally from Canberra, Dr Laura Lallenec graduated from the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle in 2012. After completing her residency training at Royal Darwin Hospital and Western Health in Melbourne, she commenced her specialty training in Sports Medicine in 2016 and completed it in 2021. Laura has completed an honours degree in Public Health and has specific interests in the use of exercise to improve health and wellbeing, concussion management, osteoarthritis and acute sporting injuries. Laura works as a Medical Advisor for the Sports Integrity Agency (SIA). She is currently Head Doctor at Melbourne Football Club, Chief Medical Officer for Netball Australia as well as the Australia Diamonds Team Doctor. Laura has a personal background in netball and running.

Sport and Exercise Psychologist, Clinical Health Psychologist (VIC)

Dr Samantha McLeod is dually Ph.D. qualified in Sport and Exercise Psychology and Clinical Health Psychology, Founder and Managing Director of The SAM Centre. Over a 30 year career, Samantha has successfully combined private practice in multidisciplinary settings, with State and National-level elite and professional teams consultancy, as well as clinical governance leadership roles and specialist academic positions. Samantha has previous Chair experience in the sports industry (3 years WNBL Melbourne Boomers Committee; representative on WNBL Commission). Samantha has researched, published, and lectured in, sport psychology, sports medicine, including athletic injury risk and recovery as well as athlete chronic conditions. Her mission is to shift sports medicine towards a holistic, integrated, collaborative framework for high performance sport, and to enhance the wellbeing and performance of athletes, as well as the practitioners, upskilling them to thrive within, and when transitioning out of, sport.

Podiatrist (TAS)

Tim has over 25 years’ experience as a podiatrist and has over 20 years experience running a private practice. Along with being a member of the Sports Medicine Australia Board, Tim has also been the State President of the Australian Podiatry Association of (Tas). 

Sports Physiotherapist and Academic (VIC)

Ebonie is a Sports Physiotherapist at the Victorian Institute of Sport, The Australian Ballet, and she consults to multiple AFL, Rugby, elite Soccer and Basketball clubs. She is the Senior Research Fellow at The Australian Ballet, a joint position with La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre. Ebonie co-leads activities in the High Performance 2032+ Strategy in Research and Innovation. Additionally, Ebonie sits on the Scientific Advisory Committee for Little Big Steps, a children’s charity that aims to increase physical activity in children undergoing cancer treatment to improve quality of life. Ebonie co-chairs the International Scientific Tendon Symposium and was former Sports Medicine Australia Conference co-chair.

Her clinical career has included the Australian Institute of Sport, The Australian Open, Australian Ballet School, Melbourne Heart football club, Commonwealth Games 2006, 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics, 2012 London Paralympics, 18 months travelling with Disney’s The Lion King stage show and she was awarded the Post-Graduate Scholarship at the AIS (2007).  She has completed her Phd in tendon pain, Masters Sports Phys, Ba. Phys (hons) and Ba. App Sci.  Her clinically focussed research has been awarded Victorian Fresh Scientist of the year 2015, ASICS SMA Best New Investigator 2004, 2013 & 2014 in Clinical Sports Medicine, best clinical science Pain Adelaide 2013, BJSM young investigator Best Clinical Paper 2014 and the Professor Mollie Holman medal for the best thesis of the faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University 2015 and the ECR best paper 2015.