Dr Andrew Nealon has been practising for over 27 years and founded Aspire Physiotherapy Centre in 2013, having spent most of his career responsible for the injury management of professional footballers and cricketers. Some of these players are genuine greats of their games and many are household names. With these roles comes immense responsibility and privilege, but most of all, the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s best players and practitioners. Between these two sports at the highest level, there is not much Andrew hasn’t seen and solved, at least a couple of times, so he has probably solved your problem before.
Andrew completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physiotherapy at La Trobe University in December 2017. This is the highest level of academic qualification and Andrew is currently the only practicing physiotherapist on the Central Coast to have achieved this. During his time working in professional sport Andrew was Head Physiotherapist at Central Coast Mariners Football Club from 2012-17, Senior First Team Physiotherapist at Liverpool Football Club from 2010-12, Head Physiotherapist at Hampshire County Cricket Club from 2007-10, Team Physiotherapist at Chennai Superstars in the Indian Cricket League from 2007-09 and Physiotherapist to the NSW Cricket Team from 1998-2006.
Patrick Fleming has over 15 years of experience as a physiotherapist and has an excellent reputation for his thorough assessments, meticulous attention to detail, great manner with his patients and rapid results. Patrick was the first physiotherapist to join Aspire in 2017, the best decision we ever made. Patrick has built an extensive patient following and is routinely in strong demand here at Aspire.
Patrick graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2008 with Merit, winning a University Award for achieving the highest marks in his physiotherapy subjects. Patrick was one of Andrew’s patients when he was a teenager with a lower back stress fracture as a representative fast bowler. Experiencing his own injury recovery inspired Patrick to pursue a career in physiotherapy, as he understands how important it is to help people achieve the same. Patrick has since gained invaluable experience in his private practice roles, including working in the heart of London in clinics at Westminster and London Bridge. Patrick has looked after people from all walks of life and has a special interest in shoulder, knee and lower back injury management.
Brendan Clark is one of the most experienced and respected physiotherapists on the Central Coast. Brendan joined Aspire in 2017 and has helped many thousands of patients over his career of over 35 years. Brendan’s early days after graduating from Sydney University in 1988 (when Andrew finished primary school and Patrick had his second birthday!) were spent in a variety of interesting settings, from private practice, public hospitals, private rehabilitation and healthcare centres, in interesting places across Australia, England and Scotland. Brendan opened the doors to his own private practice, Total Physio Centres at Kanwal, in 1994. Brendan worked at the Sydney Olympics and completed his Masters of Sports Physiotherapy at Sydney University in 2001. He also became fascinated with helping patients suffering from headache and migraine, leading to further study and titling as a Watson Headache® Certified Practitioner in 2014. Brendan is the only physiotherapist on the Central Coast with this level of qualification and regularly receives referrals from doctors, neurologists and other physiotherapists.
Brendan’s special clinical interests are treatment of running/paddling/cycling pain/injuries/performance enhancement, and neck, shoulder, headache/migraine, TMJ (jaw) pain, vestibular (dizziness), persistent/complex pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatological/auto-immune conditions and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Danny Redrup brings 18 years of experience and professional pedigree and joined Aspire in 2020. Danny is an APA titled Sport & Exercise Physiotherapist and is the current Head Physiotherapist to the Sydney Sixers T20 Big Bash League Cricket team. Danny was previously the NSW Cricket Team Lead Physiotherapist for 4 years from 2015-2019, before stepping aside to spend more time with his young family and moving back to the Central Coast.
Danny’s career has included several years in private practice in addition to his 10 year association with Cricket NSW, with 2 seasons with the Sydney Thunder T20 Big Bash League Cricket team and 2 years with the Mumbai based Indian Cricket League team. Danny’s full time role with Cricket NSW involved him overseeing a team of 10 full time and contractor staff that managed the wellbeing and workloads of players from international to junior levels, liaising with coaches and administration, and implementing screening and monitoring programs for all players. These experiences have enabled Danny to develop an extensive knowledge of current best practice injury assessment, treatment and rehabilitation methods based on each individual’s unique circumstances, capacity and goals.
Matthew King joined Aspire in 2022 and brought with him a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and a never-ending commitment to learning. Matt graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2016 with Honours. During his time at university, Matt also completed his Diploma in Remedial Massage and worked as an anatomy tutor, so he definitely knows where everything is. Since graduating, Matt has worked in highly regarded private practices developing his skills prior to being offered what he described as “a once in a lifetime opportunity” to join the team at Aspire where he is learning more and more. In recent years Matt has also completed many courses delivered by leaders in various fields of physiotherapy and has plans to complete his post-graduate Masters in the near future.
Matt is a Central Coast local that lives with his wife and two beautiful dogs. As a young boy Matt began his martial arts journey with Black Belt Martial Arts (BBMA). This has helped shaped Matt into the person he is today and he has taught Karate since the age of 15, growing as a student, mentor and as a teacher to thousands of students and their families. This has also provided Matt with an invaluable set of tools in communication, teaching, listening and understanding, empathy and patience that are wonderful attributes in his physiotherapy work.
Diego Carreno joined us in 2022 and with his welcoming manner and keen interest in hearing your story, he will shape your treatment to get you back to your best. Diego is fantastic at explaining your issue in a way that you will understand so you will know exactly what needs to be done to fix it.
Diego graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours from the University of Newcastle in 2019. Since then Diego has enjoyed broad experience between private practice and both Gosford Private and Public Hospitals. This has helped Diego develop skills in many areas of physiotherapy with patients with varied conditions and backgrounds, so he is well equipped to understand the management of acute and chronic conditions, and everything in between. Diego’s strongest interest is in musculoskeletal conditions, which makes him a great fit for our team at Aspire. Diego also loves continuing to learn, and is forever reading research articles and listening to podcasts to further his knowledge and discover more ways to help his patients.
Natalie Gale joined us in 2022 and was instrumental in establishing Exercise Physiology at Aspire. She brings 18 years of experience since graduating from University of NSW in 2004 with a BSc (Health and Sports Science) (Honours). Natalie is both an Accredited Exercise Scientist and Accredited Exercise Physiologist with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). Nat has always worked in private practice and developed both the professional and personal skills that ensure you will receive expert advice, support and motivation from a caring practitioner. Nat loves to help people achieve their goals, get back to what they love and live life without worrying about getting injured or believing they just cannot do certain things anymore. If you want to do something, Nat will work with you to find a way.
If you want someone that will listen, cheer you on and help you on your journey using exercise as therapy, then Nat is the perfect fit to either get you back to your best, or keep you there. We’re lucky to have her on our team, and so are you.
Bronte Carroll joined our physio team in 2023 having been a key member of the Aspire family since 2018. Bronte was fresh out of school and embarking on her uni studies when she started work on our Front Desk, so she completely understands how we do things here and what we routinely deliver for our patients. Bronte graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours from the University of Newcastle in 2022. She is ready to listen to your story and individualise your treatment to get you out of pain and back to your best as soon as possible. Bronte is a high level athlete and the 2023 NSW Womens 200m champion, so she personally understands the importance of injury prevention, early diagnosis of injury and above all, what is really feels like to be a patient. Bronte has endured her share of short and long term injuries and has always come back stronger, and faster. Bronte’s own experiences sparked her interest in becoming a physiotherapist, and her passion for helping other people.
Bronte has had an outstanding learning journey thus far. She is currently the Team Physiotherapist for Central Coast United Football Club. During her studies she completed an internship with Central Coast Mariners Football Club Men’s A-League team, and also spent 3 seasons as Sports Trainer/Physiotherapist for Terrigal United Football Club Men’s Premier League teams.
David Murphy joined the Aspire team in 2023 and brings his enthusiastic approach to learning and wonderful manner with his patients. David graduated with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science in 2019 from the University of Newcastle and went on to complete his Masters of Physiotherapy in 2021 from the University of Sydney. Since graduation David has enjoyed helping patients in private practice with various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions and has rapidly developed the skills required to help you achieve your goals. David has a dedicated commitment to continued learning and is always looking for the latest methods to help his patients by reading the latest research and listening to the wealth of experience there is to offer amongst his colleagues at Aspire.
David is like most of our physiotherapists in that he clearly understands what life is like as a patient. Having experienced injuries such as hamstring strains and sprained ankles from an early age, David was often in and out of the local physiotherapist’s office in his home town of Temora in Southwest NSW where he grew up. David felt and saw just how much of a difference that quality care make to people’s lives and this inspired his own journey into our profession. David now finds that providing the help that people need is the most rewarding aspect of his own work as a physiotherapist.
Jesse Krieger joined us in 2023 after graduating from University of Newcastle with a Masters of Exercise Physiology following a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science. Jesse is both an Accredited Exercise Scientist and Accredited Exercise Physiologist with Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA). Jesse’s training years included working within both private practice and hospital settings, so he is familiar with clients at both ends of the health spectrum.
Jesse is working aside the highly experienced Natalie Gale and brings a wonderful manner with his clients and youthful enthusiasm to help motivate you back to your best. Jesse loves listening to your story, identifying and then overcoming your barriers to exercising at your best level, and working with you to achieve your goals.
Jesse has a special interest in helping clients with lower back, hip and shoulder pain, and people with health conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease. When you are exercising with Jesse you are guaranteed that he is caring, motivating, understanding, and will push you along with a smile.
Joe Taylor joined Aspire in 2024, bringing with him a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Newcastle, followed by a Masters in Physiotherapy from University of Technology Sydney. Joe commenced his physiotherapy career in a private practice in Bondi and has returned home to our lifestyle and much better beaches on the Central Coast. Joe enjoys challenges and meeting new people, and is committed to enhancing his learning at Aspire so he can apply it to new patients.
Joe loves applying manual therapy including dry needling to provide rapid pain relief and using his considerable skills in teaching and prescribing exercise and activity to get you moving and strong again. Joe’s special interests are helping people with lower back, hip and neck pain, sports and work-related injuries. Joe is thoughtful and has a very keen eye for detail, which makes his assessments thorough and his careful treatment planning will involve you every step of the way back to your best. You will be in caring and considerate hands with Joe.
Our Front Desk Team is renowned for delivering consistently excellent customer service for our patients. We understand the importance of accommodating our patients, often when they are feeling at their worst due to their pain. Our Front Desk Team will always do their best to find a solution for you when arranging your appointments with your preferred physiotherapist. Led by our Practice Manager Alecia Nealon, our Front Desk Team comprises Richard Shedden, Laura Petrusma, Kerryn Samways, Katie Thoroughgood and Lisa Conway. Our physiotherapists are fortunate to be so well organised and supported by our team.