MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR THE IFSPT BOARD!
The IFSPT is proud to present the candidates for the IFSPT board election in August! Nominees are listed here in alphabetical order by country.
BELGIUM
Didier Florentz
Mr. Florentz began his work in sports rehabilitation after receiving his Masters in Physiotherapy and a Master 2 in Sport Physiotherapy. He now works in a sports clinic within a sport medical center in Brussels. He served 26 years with the Belgian Olympic Committee, and at five Olympic Games. He has worked with many national teams, as well as a soccer club in Saudi Arabia, He has taught for ten years at the Université Libre de Bruxelles as an assistant professor in Master 2 Sports Physiotherapy.
Mr. Florentz is one of the founders of the Belgium Federation of Sports Physiotherapy, where he now serves as treasurer. The BFSP is growing quickly, and it is important to the organization to be active in the IFSPT to obtain recognition of sports physiotherapy.
BRAZIL
Luciana de Michelis Mendonça (incumbent)
In the past, I worked hard for SONAFE (the Brazilian National society of Sports Physical Therapy). I’m associate since 2007 and I have always engaged to help my profession grow. I took part on Organizing Committees of 3 SONAFE's Conferences since then. Moreover, I had 6 years of dedication on SONAFE's Executive Board. I was the first female president of SONAFE (2016-2017), in a country with many restrictions to women participation in sport and politics. In 2018-2019 I continued to help SONAFE in the International Committee being the link to actions related to IFSPT, as we started to work on the Brazilian pathways (to get RISPT). Moreover, I'm a teacher in a Federal University in Brazil and I develop research in Sports Physical Therapy field. I participated in the last 3 editions of IOC World Conference on Injury and Illness in Sport with poster and workshops presentations. I also engaged on the organization of the Physical Therapy services of the Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics Games.
CANADA
Chris Napier
Chris Napier graduated from Curtin University’s Master of Physiotherapy program in 2003. While waiting for his accreditation in Canada, he started his first sport physiotherapy job with Vancouver’s professional soccer team (the Whitecaps).
From there, Chris worked with a variety of sports and abilities including basketball, field hockey, alpine skiing, and athletics. He has been part of the medical team for the Pan Am, Commonwealth, and Summer and Winter Olympic Games, as well as multiple World Championships in Alpine Skiing and Athletics.
Chris began volunteering his time to Sport Physiotherapy Canada shortly after graduating, joining the provincial section executive where he served for 10 years (2005-2015) before joining the national executive (2016-2020). While on the national executive, Chris brought the World Congress of Sports Physical Therapy to Canada where it was successfully staged in conjunction with a revitalized Sport Physiotherapy Canada Congress in 2019.
He obtained his Sport Physiotherapy Canada Diploma in 2007, became a Registered International Sports Physical Therapist in 2017, and went on to complete his PhD (Running Biomechanics and Injury Prevention) in 2018.
He currently serves as Sport Physiotherapy Canada’s liaison with the IFSPT and Chairs the Sport Physiotherapy Canada Conference Organizing Committee. Chris’ experience encompasses the full breadth of clinical (from private practice to elite sport), research, and service to the sport physiotherapy community.
ITALY
Carlo Ramponi (incumbent)
I am 41 years old, I live and work 60 km far from Venice with my wife Manuela (pediatric physio) and we have three sons (from 6 to 12 years old).
I practiced sports at a competitive level for almost 15 years. Actually, my sport is running behind my sons and their needs and managing my rehab center.
I am a physical therapist interesting in sport rehabilitation since my degree with both amateurs than professional athletes or team. My principal interesting are muscle injuries treatment, ACL rehabilitation, shoulder instability rehabilitation. I really like work as part of health and staff team and work together to follow the same aims. Before my period as IFSPT EB member at large, I have been president of GISPT (Group of Italian SPT) for 6 years.
When I started to work with IFSPT I was really excited to be in the position to help our Community to grown and improve. I supposed to be able to transfer my personal positive energy and competencies - that I put in Italian group and before in 15 years of previous sport or associative organization - in EB. The international contest
Sincerely, my personal balance is positive for something but I know there are a lot of thing to do better. Moreover, thanks to great job of our EB, IFSPT is more representative and power than years ago.
Therefore, I will again offer my time to IFSPT’s and MO’s development and cooperation. As I wrote four year ago “every MO are not enough to change many national behavior but every MO shared and linked with other living in IFSPT community can help all to change what all of us want”.
If I will be again voted I will follow our job focused on MOs and their needs and on the grown of IFSPT community.
NORWAY
Aleksandr Killingmo
The Norwegian Sport Physical Therapist Association hereby nominates Aleksander Killingmo as a candidate for the IFSPT Executive Board. Aleksander is a perfect candidate for this task and will provide the board with enthusiasm and knowledge regarding our common interest in sports physical therapy. He is a board member of the Norwegian Sports Physical Therapist Organization and has been so since 2015. He´s work is very much appreciated and he is regarded and respected for his effort in promoting the the subject Sports Physical Therapy
His work in our organization has been excellent and so is his work in the IOC Advanced Team Physician committee.
SWITZERLAND
Suzanne Gard
I discovered the IFSPT when I studied in the MSc in sports physiotherapy in Bath, we had great discussions upon the 11 competencies defined by IFSPT and the MSc was tailored to meet these.
I have been always very active during my career to develop CPD, organizing courses, conferences, workshops in my country but also internationally. For five years I teach at the University for physiotherapists in the bachelor’s degree and postgraduate. I travel with teams and work pitch side on major tournaments, and major events like the Olympic Games. I like working in the board of societies, like EUSSER, RRMES and now Sportfisio Swiss, it is a good way to inspire changes and make our profession thrive.
My main areas of interest are injury prevention, especially for young athletes, return to sports strategies and rehabilitation of unstable joints.
I am used to organizing congresses, courses and events at a national and international level and like networking.
If I am elected to be part of the EB of IFSPT, I would be keen to help develop CPD pathways to access RISPT in different member organizations, to develop the IFSPT learning platform and courses, strengthen the links with the IOC for the health of athletes, push for injury prevention, especially in young athletes to promote a safe and healthy sports participation. I really hope you will consider my application, as it would an honor for me to serve in the executive board of IFSPT.
TURKEY
Derya Ozer
It is my pleasure to nominate myself, Derya OZER KAYA, for consideration for the Executive Board position of IFSP. Hereby, I would like to express my outlining reasons for nominating for an EB position, what I may offer to IFSPT, and areas I can contribute to when on the EB.
First of all, I would like to talk about myself. I was graduated from Hacettepe University, Health Sciences Faculty, Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation in 2002. I received my Master's Degree in Sports Physiotherapy in 2004, and Ph.D. degree in 2009 at Hacettepe University, Health Sciences Institute. I got Associate Professorship in October 2013, and Professorship in February 2019. I worked as a research assistant at the Sports Physiotherapy Unit at Hacettepe University between 2002-2011. I have been working at Izmir Katip Celebi University as the founder and the head of the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department since February 2014. Moreover, I have been working as the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences since June 2019. I have also been a co-founder of the Centre of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Research, Application and Performance Lab. So, I have been working and studying in the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation area, especially specializing in sports physiotherapy for about 20 years of the clinic and academic experience, and leading many positions. I think sports physiotherapy is a growing and wonderful area within the field of physiotherapy. It is worth putting every effort into the development of sports physiotherapy. I may offer any effort that my experience provides. {read more}
UNITED KINGDOM
Kenneth Watt
I am an Experienced Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapist with a background in private practice, and national/international level sports. I am due to complete a seven-year term as the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine (ACPSEM) Regional Representative for Scotland. My role encapsulated regular communication (both electronic and in-person) with the membership, focused on education, CPD, and wider organisational updates. Within the region I built an active CPD calendar so developing skills in course organisation and administration including marketing across social media platforms. I have held a number of ACPSEM education committee steering group roles around the organisation of large national conferences aimed at promoting sports physiotherapy. Through my regional work I was appointed Regional Representatives co-ordinator in which I established and managed communication channels and served as a direct link to the executive board. In my role as social media regional manager, I was responsible for developing the first regional Twitter account which continues to be active and increase national awareness of the organisation. I went on to advise and publish guidelines around wider organisational accounts. I have taken great pleasure and satisfaction from my role within the ACPSEM, helping to support, promote and drive the profession on within my native Scotland and the UK. The region is now the most active within the organisation with regular fantastic member interaction. I would relish the opportunity to bring my energy and skills to the IFSPT Executive Board, and support the organisation with its member engagement and growing use of social media as a communication and educational tool.
Thank you to those who have stepped forward to run for a position of the IFSPT Executive Board. It is a challenging but rewarding position!
Elections will be held in August, prior to the General Meeting on August 19. The new board will be announced at the General Meeting.
Should you have input on those running for office, please contact your Member Organization's leadership with your thoughts. Ballots will be submitted by the designated voting delegate each Member Organization has chosen.
Best of luck to all nominees!
