Brendan O'Neill

Rotorua holds a special place in my heart - I spent my second year as a doctor working at Rotorua Hospital (when not mountain biking) where I learnt most of my practical medical skills in the Emergency Department there. Following that I worked as a Medical Officer in the NZ Army, and then went on to begin training in Sports Medicine from the early 2000's.

I have been involved in elite sports medicine since beginning the ACSEP training programme in 2005 (https://www.acsep.org.au/). I am passionate about exercise both for elite sports performance and general health benefits. I enjoy working with individuals helping them to recover from injuries or achieving their sporting and health goals, through advancing their own knowledge of activity as a "medicine" and developing individualised performance or rehabilitation strategies. Cycling and trying to keep up with my kids are my main sporting passions these days! I avidly follow the health recommendations around activity, nutrition, and general lifestyle options to maintain an active body and mind as I age - my current focus is on preserving muscle and balance function which are critical factors in keeping one's independence.

My elite sporting involvement has been wide and varied, and includes:

• Medical Director Cycling NZ

• Medical Director Canoe Racing NZ

• Medical Director Silver Ferns

• Medical Director ASB Auckland Tennis Open

• Football NZ Team Doctor

• Waikato Rugby Team Doctor

• Counties Rugby Team Doctor

• West Tigers Rugby League Team Doctor

• NZ Commonwealth Games Team Doctor

Year of first medical qualification

1996

Fellowship Training

Australasian Sport and Exercise Physician

Membership of Professional Bodies

FACSEP