I was able to realize my dream in January 2016 when I was granted a license to practice as a professional physiotherapist. Before and after granting of the license I experienced my working contracts ranging from amateur soccer clubs, volleyball tournaments, LGBT Rugby World Cup Tournament, CrossFit Australian Regional games in NSW and Gold Coast, QLD, Aged Care Facility, and Clinic Practice. I highlighted my favourite experiences below.

Amateur Soccer/Football Club-NPL NSW Football

This was a fun time to be surrounded by a community football club that was training young boys, to become young men and leaders in their community. It was my first exposure to players who were actually being paid to show up for their men’s club and contracted. 

Youth teams were working hard and practicing to elevate their games to make the ‘big’ club team. It was my job to ensure that injuries were minised, monitored and advised on physical therapy. I was the on-field physiotherapist for the club.

This was what I enjoyed, working with amateur athletes and seeing the passion and determination that I once had during my amateur sports days. As odd as it sounds, I loved being able to run on the field and check on my players……my time to shine……low and behold I forgot how many injuries occured on the field. 

I got my exercise weekly during this contract.

I was a part of the team, the players, coaching staff and team officials

LGBT Men’s World Cup Rugby Tournament; Sydney, Australia

A weekend forway into men’s international rugby. It was the LGBT World Cup……which til the weekend started, I didn’t even know it was an international competition. I found this posting on the bulletin board at my University of Sydney.

It was rainy, cold, and the tents had mini rivers running through them, so putting my physio table down was an adventure.

This group of athletes were not letting this weather get to them and would walk into my physio tent dancing to, “It’s raining men” and not letting the inclimate weather get to them.

I saw how the cold weather and water pools did NOT matter, it was a group of international rugby players, coming together to use the sport to bring everyone together.

I remember a player coming into my tent, asking me to assess his knee….so I did my assessment, and I said to him….”Look, I believe you have a torn ACL. There's a good chance that when you go home, you’re gonna need reconstructive surgery”. He replied, “So, can I go out there and play?” 

I said, “I wouldn’t advise it but I recommend taping the knee if you’re going to play”.  I also advised him that “...you could do more harm to your knee. He had agreed to my restrictions and decided to play but minimize contact as much as he could.

CrossFit Regionals - Australasia Semi Finals; Wollongong, NSW and Gold Coast, QLD

As a recreational, new CrossFitter, I could not resist volunteering as a physiotherapist for the Australian CrossFit Regionals events. How could I turn down the experience of working with, in my opinion, some amazing humans competing at a high fitness level.

Working with the women’s 6-time champion Tia Claire Toomey, Champion, Kara Saunders, Samantha Briggs from the United Kingdom and men’s champion, James Newbury. 

Being in the air of fellow colleagues, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists, working with vendors who all had keen interests and discussions regarding athlete health.

Being on the competition floor while they were racing for the chance to represent their countries at the CrossFit games was amazing.

Aged Care Facility (Summit Care Randwick; Golden Age Physiotherapy)

Appointed as a short term contract by Golden Age Physiotherapy, as the physiotherapist on site at age care facility, Summit Care Randwick. I was personally and professionally excited to learn new skills and introduce myself to new residences.

The most intriguing experiences I enjoyed working at this site, was hearing the stories, and experiences from all of the residences. They all had a story to tell, and I was more than excited to lend my ears.

The greatest joy I took from this contract was seeing all of the smiles and residents responding how thankful they always were to spend time with me during their physical therapy sessions. I found that even if the session was fifteen minutes to thirty minutes, they were mostly thankful for the visit and the chats.

I was a regular at the recreation time BINGO, arts and crafts and coffee-tea time.

Lastly I enjoyed working with all allied health staff on this site, whether that be care aides, nurse practitioners, recreation assistants, executive staff, cleaning staff, hair stylist, and kitchen staff. Everyone was always so welcoming and excited to be at work.

Clinic Work (Peak Health Services)

The bulk of my time was working in a community physiotherapy clinic where I worked in two communities. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the spontaneity of each day, not knowing what injury or problem was going to walk in the door. I enjoyed not knowing that every day was never going to be the same. 

I was very lucky to have the mentorship from my owner who was so encouraging for ongoing professional development and gaining skills from the various sports team experiences. She was very accommodating with scheduling and showed lots of confidence in my skills and hard work.

Lastly, the mentorship that I was able to learn about how she started who clinic < 8 years before and how she had grown her company into two locations. The main takeaway was how she was able to balance multiple kids, family , competitive crossfit events and competitions and running a successful physiotherapy business that was comprised of 8-10 physiotherapists, 5-6 massage therapists, and front staff team members.

All of these experiences piled up a lifetime of stories that I am so thankful for, which is only the beginning of the professional growth I am excited to manicure into my own business.

Please feel free to email at info@theraqinmovement.com

Cameron Quon
Founder - Kinesiologist/ MPT
Moving Towards Wellness