Kseniya Vazayanska
Kseniya Vazayanska
Physiotherapist
Kseniya is a Doctor of Physiotherapy graduate from Melbourne University with a strong background in exercise physiology and strength and conditioning. She has previous experience working as a Sports Trainer with both NPL and State 1 League soccer teams in Melbourne, and enjoys working along the rehabilitation continuum from acute injury management to optimising performance. Previously Kseniya is working with Ashburton United Soccer Club as Club Physiotherapist. She also works in our Hospital settings and teaches students at Melbourne University keeping her current with modern techniques and practices.
She grew up in Vancouver, Canada where she worked in exercise rehabilitation, assisting individuals in their recovery following motor vehicle accidents. Kseniya believes in empowering patients through education and is fluent in Russian and French in addition to English.
Kseniya was a former competitive rhythmic gymnast, and still continues to train as a dancer. She also loves escaping the city for outdoor adventures such as hiking and camping. She has a passion of knee injuries as well as issues faced by dancers.
Kseniya is away June and July as she explores South America on an extended break.
Matt Hopkinson
Matt Hopkinson
Senior Physiotherapist
Matt has extensive experience working across Orthopaedic and Sports Physiotherapy. Starting at the Alfred Hospital, he has worked both in Public and Private Healthcare facilities and Private Practices.
He is currently the Physiotherapist for the Melbourne Aces Baseball Club the 2019 Claxton Sheild Champions.
He has also been a Physiotherapist for Hawthorn Football Club and Waverley (Melbourne) Reds Baseball Club and was lucky enough to be involved in Premierships during his time with them.
Matt has also done research in conjunction with the AFL and AFLPA looking into the effect that a high level sporting career has on life, following retirement from the sport. This was the basis upon which the current ALF player welfare program was underpinned.
Working closely alongside leading specialists means Matt is up to date on current techniques for the treatment of injuries, and can provide access to premium healthcare options.
Matt has a passion for rehabilitation, and enjoys taking patients through the process of Prehabilitation, Post op recovery, and then ongoing Strength and Conditioning training programs to maximise recovery. Matt also utilises trigger point needling as part of his treatment techniques.
He is a certified TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) Practitioner, and has also completed courses is ACSA Level 1 and OnBaseU. He is a member of the Baseball Health Professional Association.
Matt also offers high performance throwing programs using the Driveline Baseball Philosophy, strength and conditioning of the arm is performed as well as altering arm slot kinematics. This is particularly useful for elite arm rehabilitation as well as improving strength and velocity.
He is a keen cook, cyclist and football fanatic.
Sarah Forsyth
Sarah Forsyth
Senior Physiotherapist
Sarah is a current Senior Physiotherapist at Balwyn Football Club and is undertaking her Masters in Sports Physiotherapy at La Trobe University. In addition to this, she undertakes part-time work for the AFL as a research consultant managing the soft-tissue injury registry.
She has previously worked at Monash Blues Football club and Kew Box Hill Premier Hockey Club. Sarah has gained valuable experience in the past from working at Geelong Football Club, and travelling as a Physio to numerous State and National Hockey tournaments.
Sarah also works with Cricket Australia and has travelled overseas and interstate for tournaments.
In her spare time, Sarah plays both premier hockey and cricket and is an avid skier. She is also a keen MCC Melbourne supporter and brunch enthusiast.
Nicholas Ghabrial
Nicholas Ghabrial
Physiotherapist
Nicholas, graduated from Charles Sturt University, and is deeply immersed in the world of sports and physical activity. Alongside his academic achievements, he actively fosters healthy lifestyles through initiatives like the community-driven Nile Run Club, promoting optimal running practices.
When not engaged in his community endeavors, Nicholas can be found passionately supporting Hawthorn at the MCG. With a background spanning roles at Mazenod Football Club and a recent internship at Preston Lions in the NPLW, Nicholas brings a wealth of sports experience to his practice.
His particular passion lies in assisting runners and athletic performance clients. You’ll find him consulting in Hawthorn from Monday to Friday, dedicated to helping individuals achieve their fitness goals with tailored support and expertise.
Juergen Toelle
Juergen Toelle
Senior Physiotherpist
Juergen is a German/Australian Physiotherapist and Rehabilitation Coach with over 20 years of experience. His area of expertise lies in the treatment, prevention, and management of various sporting injuries and rehabilitation, working with, but not limited to, elite athletes. Juergen spent six years as a physiotherapist for SV Werder Bremen in the 1st Bundesliga (UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League), and more recently in China in their 1st Football Super League. He prepared a cruiserweight World Champion boxer (WBO) for his fight in Las Vegas/USA. Juergen has vast international experience, working across four continents. His experience and outlook brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing injuries. He now calls Hawthorn home.
Juergen enjoys providing advice on strength training for competitive athletes and sporting professionals, including Rugby League, American Football, Beach Volleyball, and Boxing. More recently, Juergen has become involved in Australian Rules Football. Before moving to Australia in 2014, Juergen also worked as a Physiotherapy Lecturer for the North German Medical Association, training doctors and physiotherapists on strapping and injury prevention.
Juergen currently works Saturdays at Glenferrie Sports and Spinal Clinic.
Ben Holland
Ben Holland
Senior Podiatrist
Ben has been a Podiatrist for 17 years working at an elite level for all sports. An ex AFL player, he understands the ever changing sports medicine world.
Specialising in lower limb injury treatment, biomechanical analysis and injury prevention. If you have heel pain, shin splints, achilles pain or need footwear assessment and/or orthotic prescription then Ben is your man.
Ben consults at GSSC on Monday Afternoons and Thursday mornings.
Nicholas Hansen
Nicholas Hansen
Remedial Massage
Over the course of his career, Nicholas has worked in multiple aspects of private practice and has treated clients from many different settings.
Nicholas is a passionate Remedial Therapist who has one focus which is helping clients with their concerns.
His journey began after an injury playing the game that he loves, as a former football (soccer) player of 17 years Nicholas has developed a huge interest in helping people through physical therapy.
Nicholas started his career as a Certified Massage therapist and focused mainly on relaxation treatments. Once he discovered the demand for a more therapeutic approach, he continued his studies by completing a Diploma of Remedial Massage. Since then, Nicholas has completed numerous additional courses in Remedial and Sport related modalities.
Nicholas has worked closely with physiotherapists for professional sporting clubs and associations, such as rugby league, NBA, A-League, Tennis Australia and more. Nicholas doesn’t just treat athletes though; he feels a need to help people with everyday aches and pain as well. Whether it be from working at your desk to physical labour, to a high sporting lifestyle or just relaxing your body and mind. Nicholas tailors each treatment to provide relief regardless of circumstance.
As a result of his sports background and experiences working as a Remedial Therapist, Nicholas has developed a great passion for and an understanding of what the body goes through and what it needs to be pain free, to relax, perform and recover.
Nicholas is currently focused on completing a Myotherapy qualification by mid-2023, at which time he plans to offer additional modalities including dry-needling, rehabilitation care, and exercise prescription.
Outside of helping his clients, Nicholas has a huge passion for, obviously football but loves spending time outdoors with mates and Rufus his miniature (not so miniature) Cavoodle.
Hazel Joseph
Hazel Joseph
Office Manager / CSO
Linda Francavilla
Linda Francavilla
Reception
Linda joined the GSSC team as our full-time receptionist in February 2023!
She has extensive reception experience predominantly in law firms. Linda loves interacting with customers and with her colleagues.
Outside of work she enjoys staying active by running and participating in marathons for various charities. Her favourite sport to play is touch football. She also likes to travel and experience different cultures and cuisines.
Lily Hopkinson
Lily Hopkinson
Reception / Social Media
She is currently completing a Bachelor of Fashion Marketing at university, and hopes to work in event management and styling once she graduates. She loves music and arts, and does theatre in her spare time.
Lily is a very social person and loves the customer service elements of her job here at GSSC!
