Physiotherapists Michael Ilett and Sammy Hon were recently in Sydney working at the 2026 Australian Gymnastics Championships.
The event included Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini Trampoline plus Acrobatic, Rhythmic and Aerobic Gymnastics.
When they got back we asked them to tell us a bit about the experience . . . .
How and when did you become involved with Gymnastics?
MI: I’ve been working in gymnastics for the past 3 and a half years. The clinic that I was previously at in Sydney was in close proximity to the state centre and would see a lot of athletes through that and then eventually took over care of a club in 2023. Through these connections I started working with Gymnastics NSW and doing coverage at Nationals.
SH: I grew up doing gymnastics and then moved into coaching, so I’ve been involved in the sport for most of my life. Once I qualified as a Physiotherapist, combining the two just made sense. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to work with many gymnasts and coaches both in the clinic and at their clubs, as well as providing physiotherapy coverage at State and National competitions through Gymnastics Victoria.
What did your role at the Championships entail / what was the day-to-day like for you working there?
MI: My role at the Championships was looking after all of the athletes day to day needs, managing any injuries or niggles, and also attending to any injuries that happened during the Championships. Typically would get in at 7.30am to set up the medical space, then look after any of the athletes booked in and stay until competition close at 9pm.
SH: Same as Michael, I was on site from the time the first Victorian gymnasts arrived, until the last athletes had finished competing and left. My role was assessing and treating any injuries athletes came into the competition with, as well as managing any injuries that occurred during the event.
What did you find most enjoyable about the trip?
MI: Working within that team space and being able to get amongst that team environment, not just as a physio but also being able to also watch some of the competitions as well.
SH: It’s always great working with the team at Nationals. There’s a great mix of experience, and it’s always valuable being able to discuss cases and learn from each other. It’s also really rewarding watching and supporting my athletes compete after helping them throughout the lead up.
What do you find the most challenging?
MI: Definitely the long 14 hour days were quite draining at times.
SH: I’d agree, the biggest challenge is balancing the physical and mental demands of the long consecutive days. It’s also hard seeing an athlete disappointed when an injury means they can’t compete.
How does this differ from other sports you are involved in / athletes you have worked with?
MI: I’ve really enjoyed working in a variety of ball sports in the past, but the last 3 years have really loved working in gymnastics purely because it’s so different in terms of the loading that the athletes do, the variety and complexity of skills that get performed and the array of injuries you see.
SH: Gymnastics is pretty unique because of the combination of strength, flexibility, control and precision, alongside a lot of repetitive and high-impact loading. The variety of skills across gymsports and apparatus also means you see a really broad range of injuries and rehab needs. Like dancers, gymnasts also tend to have really good body awareness from years of training such complex movements, so they’re often very in tune with subtle changes or when something doesn’t feel right.
How do you feel this experience will help you in treating your patients at Alphington Sports Medicine?
MI: It’s funny, we had a conversation during National’s along the lines of, if you can work in gymnastics you can work in anything. You just get to see such a wide range of loading injuries but also a range of acute injuries from strains/sprains to high impact trauma’s, so we really get to see it all in terms of conditions.
SH: I think being able to watch athletes compete and see injuries happen gives you a much better understanding of the biomechanics of the sport and the mechanisms behind different injuries. It’s also valuable being able to take that understanding into clinic, particularly when you see those athletes further down the track during their rehabilitation and can relate their rehab back to the specific demands of their sport.
For more information about Michael Ilett and Sammy Hon go to: https://alphingtonsportsmed.com.au/profile/michael-ilett/ and https://alphingtonsportsmed.com.au/profile/sammy-hon
Specialist Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist
APA Titled Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist
Kay is a Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist and one of only 10 Physiotherapists in Victoria with this clinical speciality. To achieve this she has undergone an extensive two year training program and then passed the clinical examinations that ensures she is highly skilled in complex sports and exercise conditions and practicing at a high level worthy of the specialist title.
In attaining her Specialist title Kay has joined the elite ranks of Sports and Exercise Physiotherapists. Kay’s standing as a Specialist and her varied and vast experience has her especially interested in complex injuries/issues and ensuring the rehabilitation exercises and plan is in line with the latest research.
Joining our Physiotherapy team in 2007, Kay has extensive experience as a Sports Physiotherapist in elite sports and clinically in sports medicine clinics. She has worked internationally for Australian Women’s Basketball, WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) as a Tour Physiotherapist and was the first person to work with the Australian Women’s Water Polo Team from 1984-1991 including their historic 1986 World Championship win in Madrid.
Kay also has a degree in Physiotherapy, a degree and masters in Physical Education and completed ongoing education in Sports Management, Business, Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine. She was also Medical Program Manager for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and is a life member of Footscray Swimming and Water Polo Club.
Postgraduate qualifications: Master of Science
Memberships: Australian College of Physiotherapy (Fellow), Sports Medicine Australia (Fellow), Australian Physiotherapy Association, Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Availability: Currently on extended leave.
