Sports physiotherapy is one of our most-requested services. Our physiotherapists work with athletes of all levels — from juniors at local football, netball, soccer and cricket clubs through to recreational runners and competitive adults — at our Melton, Hoppers Crossing and Sunbury clinics. We cover acute injury assessment, return-to-sport planning, load management, strength and conditioning work, and the longer-running issues that don't quite stop you playing but quietly limit performance. To book a sports physiotherapy appointment, call (03) 9746 6852 or book online.
On this page: What it is · Who it's for · First appointment · Common injuries · Locations · Funding · How we support athletes · FAQ
What is sports physiotherapy?
Sports physiotherapy is physiotherapy with a focus on physically active people and the demands of their sport. It covers a wider scope than treating the acute injury — assessment usually looks at how you load, how the surrounding regions move, your training history, your goals (matches in 4 weeks, a marathon in 3 months, finishing the season), and what's putting you at risk of further injury or re-injury. Treatment may involve hands-on therapy, exercise prescription tailored to your sport, load management advice, return-to-sport criteria, and coordination with coaches or strength-and-conditioning staff where helpful. For general public information, see healthdirect Australia\'s sports injury guidance.
Our physiotherapists with an interest in sports physiotherapy work across the common injury patterns of local sports — football and AFL, netball, soccer, cricket, running, cycling, rugby, basketball — as well as gym and CrossFit-style training injuries.
Who may benefit from sports physiotherapy?
- You've sustained an acute sports injury and want a structured rehab plan
- You've had a previous injury and want help planning a safer return to sport
- You have a longer-running issue (tendon problem, recurring strain, joint pain) that doesn't fully stop you playing
- You're training for a specific event and want guidance on load management
- You're a parent of a junior athlete with a growing-pain or growth-plate concern
- You're returning to sport after surgery and need rehabilitation to clinical milestones
- You're managing a sport-related strength or movement gap that's affecting performance
What your first appointment may involve
- History. The injury or concern, your sport and training pattern, your goals (upcoming matches, events, season planning), and relevant medical history.
- Physical assessment. The injured area plus related regions — movement, strength, load tests, sport-specific functional tests where appropriate.
- Imaging or referral if needed. We discuss whether imaging or a sports-medicine doctor's input adds anything, and arrange it with your consent.
- Goal setting. What you're trying to get back to and by when — and what's realistic given your assessment.
- Plan. A treatment and rehabilitation plan with session frequency, expected progression and return-to-sport criteria.
- Initial treatment where appropriate. Manual therapy, exercise prescription, taping, dry needling where suitable.
- Coordination. With your consent, we communicate with coaches, strength-and-conditioning staff, GP or sports physician.
Common sports injuries we see
- Ankle sprains — lateral, medial and high-ankle
- Hamstring strains — acute and recurring
- Calf strains
- Knee injuries — MCL/ACL/PCL, patellofemoral pain, jumper's knee (patellar tendinopathy), meniscus injuries
- Hip and groin pain — adductor strain, FAI/labral presentations, gluteal tendinopathy
- Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) and stress fractures
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
- Shoulder injuries — rotator cuff, throwing-related, swimmer's shoulder
- Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
- Wrist injuries from falls (FOOSH)
- Lower back pain in athletes
- Concussion follow-up where vestibular or cervicogenic symptoms persist
- Growth-related conditions in junior athletes (Osgood–Schlatter, Sever's)
- Post-surgical sports rehabilitation
Locations offering sports physiotherapy
- Melton — 7/211–223 Barries Road, Melton West.
- Hoppers Crossing — 369 Morris Road, Hoppers Crossing.
- Sunbury — 16-18 O'Shanassy Street, Sunbury (by appointment).
Funding and payment options
- Private health insurance — HICAPS on-site at all three clinics for on-the-spot claiming. Rebate amounts vary by fund and policy.
- Medicare EPC / Chronic Disease Management — eligible patients with a GP plan.
- WorkCover — for accepted claims where the injury occurred at work or work activities.
- TAC — for accepted claims where the injury arose from a motor vehicle accident.
- NDIS — for participants whose plan includes physiotherapy.
- DVA — eligible Gold and White cardholders.
- Private payment — accepted for any service. Contact reception for current fees.
Funding eligibility depends on your circumstances, referral, claim approval and appointment type. Please contact reception if unsure.
How 101 Physio supports sports physiotherapy
- Three clinic locations across Melbourne's west and northwest
- Physiotherapists with interest and experience across multiple sports
- Practical, goals-based planning — built around what you're returning to
- Coordination with coaches, GPs and sports doctors where useful
- Shockwave therapy and dry needling available at all three clinics as part of a wider plan
- Online booking and phone reception for help choosing the right appointment
- Local convenience for athletes at junior clubs across the Shire of Melton, Wyndham and the Macedon Ranges
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral for sports physiotherapy?
No — physiotherapy is a primary contact profession in Australia, so you can book directly. A referral is required for some funded pathways (Medicare EPC, WorkCover, TAC, DVA).
I've got an event coming up — can I be assessed quickly?
Call us — reception will work with you on the soonest appointment that suits. Same-week appointments are usually available.
Will I get imaging at the first appointment?
We don't do imaging at the clinic. Imaging is usually arranged through your GP or a sports physician where clinically appropriate. Many sports injuries can be assessed and managed without imaging; we'll discuss whether it would change the plan.
Do you Assess and manage children and junior athletes?
Yes — junior sports injuries (and growth-related conditions like Osgood–Schlatter and Sever's) are a regular part of what we see. A parent or guardian is welcome in the appointment.
Can you advise me on return-to-sport timing?
Yes — return-to-sport criteria are usually part of the plan. We talk through what we want to see (strength, movement, sport-specific tests) before clearing for unrestricted training and competition. Timeframes vary considerably by injury and individual.
Do you work with my club's S&C coach or trainer?
With your consent, yes. Coordinating with coaches and S&C staff often makes the rehabilitation more efficient.
Ready to book?
Call (03) 9746 6852 or book online.
Same-week appointments usually available — call reception to discuss your event timing.
Related: physiotherapy at 101 Physio · WorkCover physio · TAC physio · dry needling · all services
Reviewed by Joseph Louka, AHPRA-registered Physiotherapist (Principal Physiotherapist) · Last reviewed 2026-05-28.
