Geelong crowns region’s best physiotherapist

From AFL teams to Olympians, Geelong’s best physio says he is lucky to have a career that includes working with junior sports players through to elite stars.

Travis McCombe of Belmont Physiotherapy Centre, middle, was voted Geelong’s best physio by Geelong Addy readers. Pictured with celebrating staff and clients from left Maddy Day, Pam Moorfoot, Mark Seller and Victoria Herring. Picture: Alison Wynd

Geelong’s best physio, as voted by Geelong Addy readers, says he is lucky to have had opportunities throughout his career to work with elite sporting teams.

Belmont Physiotherapy Centre’s Travis McCombe has worked with AFL teams, Olympians, and international soccer players.

Mr McCombe worked with the Cats.

Veteran forward Tom Hawkins is the only player remaining in the side from his days working with the team, and and Mr McCombe said it would be a sad day when the star hung up the boots.

“There’s a bit of a buzz when you’re walking onto the grounds, it’s very different being on the sidelines seeing how it all works compared to in the stands,” he said.

“I was lucky to work with Port Adelaide with their strength and conditioning and I did some work with North Melbourne AFL players who were plating in the VFL.

“I have also been lucky for a number of years to work with draft prospects and then you get to see them go on to bigger things.”

Travis McCombe of Belmont Physiotherapy Centre won the best of physio as voted by Geelong Addy readers. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr McCombe said physios would see all kinds of weird and wonderful injuries.

“A standout injury was a local soccer player was in Europe who got a nasty ankle injury from a severe tackle and was sent home to Australia,” he said.

“His club didn’t want us to do too much with them but a colleague and I pushed him through rehab in a positive way and within three months he was kicking a ball and running again.

“We were expecting an abrupt letter from the club asking why we pushed him so hard but they turned out to be rapt with his progress.”

Mr McCombe received 64 of the 360 votes in the Addy’s best of competition.

He said while he didn’t expect the win it was nice to get votes, including from clients he hadn’t seen for a number of years.

“What I enjoy most is the relationships you build with families and individuals, working with kids playing in under-9s through to the elite,” he said.

“It's a big community of physios in Geelong and there are some great ones so if people have injuries they shouldn’t hesitate to see one as they are full of knowledge.”

Mr McCombe said he had been in Geelong with his family for 18 years and planned to keep it that way.

Check out the other physiotherapists that rounded out the top five best in Geelong for 2024.

1. Travis McCombe, Belmont Physiotherapy Centre

2. Justin Edwards, Corio Bay Health Group

3. Jordan Keras, Corio Bay Health Group

4. William Dixon, Corio Bay Health Group

5. Richard Citroen, Geelong Sports Medicine Centre

The next Geelong Advertiser’s Best Of competition will be Italian restaurants.

Nominations will open on June 26.

Originally published as Geelong crowns region’s best physiotherapist