During a mini keynote session at APASC25 in Adelaide, seasoned sports physiotherapists James Trotter MACP and Keren Faulkner FACP shared insights into what the next decade means for physiotherapists keen to work at Brisbane 2032.

With combined experience spanning seven Olympic Games, four Paralympics and five Commonwealth Games, both speakers know what it takes to make it to the biggest sporting event in the world. 

And they know what physiotherapists can do now to prepare.

‘As we look ahead to the Olympic Games in 2032, we need to encourage everyone who’s interested to get involved and to get excited,’ James said. 

‘This is a massive opportunity to contribute at so many levels.’

The path to the Olympic or Paralympic Games isn’t straightforward or guaranteed but it is achievable if you have a clear understanding of what selection panels look for, said James, an APA Titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist and an APA Titled
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist. 

For the 2024 Paris Olympics, more than 90 physiotherapists applied for just seven headquarters positions with the Australian Olympic Committee.

‘Most applicants are postgraduate-qualified and titled APA members,’ James said. 

‘Those who have worked at a senior level with Olympic sports in the cycle leading up to the Games are given strong consideration. Successful team travel experience is also critical.’

Integrity and the ability to work as part of a team are non-negotiable traits, he said. 

Being brutally honest in your application is also essential, as checks on information are made prior to selection. 

‘The Games environment is intense—you’re living and working in each other’s pockets for weeks—and it’s vital that team members can communicate well, support each other and leave their egos at the door.’

Keren agreed, describing teamwork as a defining factor in any high-performance sport. 

‘When you’re selecting a rowing crew, if you put the eight fastest individuals in the boat, you don’t necessarily get the fastest boat,’ said Keren, a Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2009). 

‘The best boat is the one that works together, calibrates, trusts each other and can back each other up. 

'That’s what we look for in our physiotherapy teams too.’

Drawing from her experience leading the performance sport team at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, Keren said that adaptability and being able to remain calm under pressure make all the difference. 

‘In Rio, we had to deal with a serious incident on the first night in the village. 

'It wasn’t a physiotherapy issue per se but our team had to step up and work outside their normal scope—at night, under pressure—to support an athlete and protect the wellbeing of the team. 

'That’s what being flexible and team-focused looks like at the Games.’

Both speakers emphasised that the Games provide physiotherapists with many pathways to be involved. 

Beyond working directly with national teams, Brisbane 2032 will also rely on a large workforce of volunteer physiotherapists. 

These volunteers may work at sports venues or within the athletes’ polyclinic, a fully functioning medical centre serving competitors from across the globe, particularly those from nations without comprehensive medical support.

For physiotherapists hoping to be part of Brisbane 2032, both speakers were clear: start preparing now. 

Get involved with sports at the community or national level, pursue postgraduate qualifications and titling through the Australian College of Physiotherapists, gain experience working with teams that compete in Olympic or Paralympic sports and build strong
professional relationships within the sporting community.

‘Brisbane 2032 will be looking to replicate Sydney 2000 as the best Games ever,’ Keren said. 

‘There will be new sports, new opportunities and new challenges—and physiotherapists will be right at the heart of it all.’