Sophie Jennings - Podiatrist

(Currently on Maternitiy Leave - Sophie will return in early 2025)

Sophie Jennings graduated from Latrobe University with a Bachelor of Health Science with a Masters in Podiatric Practice. Since graduating, she has gained clinical experience in both public and private, including 3 years at Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre. Sophie joined the BSP team in 2016 and has recently returned from a brief stint living and working in the UK. 

Sophie loves the challenge of working closely with her patients in achieving their exercise and lifestyle goals. She has been involved in the diagnosis and management of injuries related to lower limb biomechanics in the elite, sub elite and recreational athlete. Sophie also has a keen interest in the management of injuries that present in the paediatric and adolescent populations.

Sophie is committed to the development of her podiatric skills and regularly attends conferences and professional development events enabling her to provide the latest evidence based management for her patients.

 Sophie grew up living in the Bayside area. Outside of work, she loves to remain active and spend time with friends and family."

 Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Health Sciences (B.Hsc.)

• Masters in Podiatric Practice (M.PodPrac)

Alysha Ferwerda - Podiatrist

After graduating from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and Masters in Podiatric practice in 2014, Alysha has worked in a wide variety of clinical and non clinical settings.  She has extensive experience working in private practice and the public sector, treating a range of clients, from children to elderly, and elite to recreational athletes.

In 2017 Alysha spent five months working as a Podiatrist in Niseko, Japan, fitting and customising ski and snowboard boots, troubleshooting fit problems and manufacturing custom foot-beds to enhance performance and fit.  This allowed her to perfect her insole manufacturing and adjusting skills to apply to the clinical Podiatry setting.

Alysha also works with the footwear company Bared part time, specialising in fitting and adjusting dress and casual footwear.

When she’s not busy at work, you can find Alysha teaching pilates, enjoying a gym workout or relaxing at a café over a long brunch.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Health Sciences

• Masters in Podiatric Practice

Dr Tim Barbour – Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician

Tim has been a Fellow of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians since 2003 after completing the ACSEP training program. Prior to that he achieved Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and also completed a Masters Degree (by Research) with the University of Melbourne in the field of exercise-induced lower leg pain.

Tim has consulted at Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre for the last 20 years and through that time has worked with Richmond Football Club, the Australian U20 and Senior Track + Field Teams and since 2008 has been Medical Officer to St Kilda Football Club.

Along with his wife and two children Tim has lived in Bayside for many years and is delighted to commence consulting at Bayside Sports Podiatry from early July to assist recreational athletes achieve their health and fitness goals. He will continue to consult at OPSMC at other times.

As ACSEP is a specialist college a referral is required from your General Practitioner in order to see Tim for a consultation.

Qualifications

• 2006 Master of Sports Medicine (Research), University of Melbourne

• 2004 Fellow of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (FACSEP)

• 1998 Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP – Inactive)

• 1991 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Team Involvement

• Medical Officer – St Kilda Football Club (2008-Present)

• Medical Officer – Athletics Australia (2003-2008)

• Team Doctor – Australian Olympic Athletics Team (Athens 2004 & Beijing 2008)

• Team Doctor – Australian Commonwealth Games Athletics Team (Melbourne 2006)

• Team Doctor – Australian World Championship Athletics Team (Paris 2003 & Osaka 2007)

• Medical Officer – Richmond Football Club (1997-2002)

• Medical Officer – Australian Under 20 Track and Field Team (1998–2002)

Professional Memberships

• Sports Medicine Australia

• AFL Doctors’ Association (Executive)

Rhys Whittaker - Podiatrist

 Rhys graduated from La Trobe University with a Masters of Podiatry and a Bachelor of Health Science with majors in Anatomy and Advanced Physiology. He is an active member of the Australian Podiatry Association and Sports and Exercise Podiatry Australia, where he undertakes regular professional development to continue to be abreast of the latest advancements in research and treatments to ensure he provides the most up to date and evidenced based practices to his clients.

Rhys has a special interest in the treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries of the foot and lower limb with a focus on running related pathologies. With a background in personal training and strength and conditioning coaching, he has a very strong passion for working with athletes of all abilities, as he provides the highest level of podiatric care whilst advocating for their return to sport. Rhys worked at a specialist running shoe store for 3 years while completing his studies, which combined with clinical expertise and an athletic background has given him advanced knowledge in footwear prescription.

Rhys knows all too well the life of an athlete and the disruption of injury along with the drive to return to sport with his own sporting experiences. Coming from an elite soccer background into triathlon, Rhys is now training as a distance runner with the focus on marathons. He is a member of Frankston Athletic Club and is preparing towards a sub-2:40 marathon.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Health Sciences (B.Hsc.)

• Masters in Podiatric Practice (M.PodPrac)

Rick Osler - Podiatrist

Rick specialises in musculo-skeletal injuries and pain of the lower limb and foot with all sports & activities, including AFL football, Ironman triathlon and distance running.  He was a founder of specialty running retail in Melbourne and is actively involved in the running shoe industry.

He has been the Podiatrist for St Kilda Football Club in the AFL for 13 years and is a Medical Education Specialist in distal extremities and trauma.

Rick spends most of his time in the Operating theatre and teaching, and brings a broad scope of practice to Bayside Sports Podiatry. 

Personal interests include triathlon, cycling, running, lifesaving and chasing 3 active kids around the beach.

Living in Hampton, Rick is local and has a particular focus on helping the Bayside Community maintain a healthy active lifestyle.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Podiatry

Lizzie Holland - Podiatrist

Lizzie Holland graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Health Science and a Masters of Podiatric Practice in 2015. Since graduating she has worked in a variety of private practice settings in the Bayside area, as well as overseas while living in London.

Growing up, Lizzie spent her time taking lessons in and teaching Ballet, Tap and Contemporary. This has given her a special interest in injury prevention for young dancers, as well as in helping them prepare for pointe work. She has worked with many dancers throughout her career and enjoys keeping them injury free and in the dance studio.

Lizzie has experience in treating a wide variety of age groups and pathologies and offers a holistic, evidence-based approach to treatment. She has worked at a specialty running shoe store, which has given her knowledge of the importance of fitting the right shoe to the right foot.

In her spare time, Lizzie enjoys growing vegetables and welcomes any gardening advice from patients.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Health Science (B.Hsc.)

• Masters of Podiatric Practice (M. PodPrac)