Sponsored Athletes


We are proud to present our Sponsored Athletes and Clubs for 2022/2023.
Please support them any way you can because we believe they are worth every penny!

 

DEBORAH FULLER

 

My sporting career has been a unique one. Through my later years in college I played representative Rugby 7s and 15s. However, after a badly broken finger that took me out of Rep season I focused on getting myself into good shape for the following year. I was running a lot and started to achieve some decent results in the Crossy and Road racing scene. I received a late call up into the NZ Cross Country team to race in Australia and my focus soon became solely on running.

Unfortunately, a few years later, after a persistent foot injury, I needed surgery. This was a frustrating time but made me appreciate Leanna from BIA Physio more than ever as she helped me navigate the treatment and rehab.

During my recovery and with the uncertainty of the future, a friend loaned me a bike as an outlet for my energy. The next few years were a whirlwind as I raced my first Elite nationals, signed my first contract and was off overseas racing. Since then, I have recently transitioned into the Triathlon scene and look forward to seeing what I can achieve in this sport.

I cannot thank BIA Physio enough for their ongoing support in my diverse sporting career. They seriously are the best around!

 

SAMUEL TANNER

My name is Samuel Tanner and I am now a professional 1500m runner for Puma running.

Over the past 2 years I have competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and placed 6th in the 2022 Commonwealth games 1500m final.

I love running for the excitement of racing and how it encourages people to get outdoors into nature. I have been involved in the sport in some way since around 5 years old and have run a PB of 3:31.34 in the 1500m. I also hold 7 national records along with being the second fastest in NZ history over the 1500m distance ahead of some of the greatest: Sir John Walker & Sir Peter Snell.

I have had an awesome relationship with Leanna from Back in Action Physiotherapy since 2017. She has been active in my gym program, rehab and body maintenance to keep me in top shape. This coming year she will help keep me on track to break Sir John Walker’s New Zealand mile record. This has been a goal of mine for a while and with the help of the BIA team, I also hope to get a medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

I look forward to continuing with the team at BIA in years to come and am constantly blown away by the commitment to make you better.

MAKA DAYSH

Kia Ora, my name is Maka and I am a Professional Basketball player. I currently play for Whai which is a professional Women’s Basketball team in the Tauihi Basketball League. I have represented New Zealand in the Under 20s and also the Junior Tall Ferns team. I also play for the NZ Women’s Māori team.

I have played representative rugby for Bay Of Plenty in both 15s and 7s, but sadly had to give up a code as I was getting too injured with the work load. After a serious knee injury, Back in Action helped me get back to my best and are now supporting my journey in Basketball. I work as a Sports Assistant at Tauranga Intermediate School and also Coach Basketball around the Bay.

OLIVIA CUMMING

I have always had drive and passion to be the best in everything I do, and sport is no different. I started out my athletic career as a competitive swimmer with many 5am starts and a number or hours in the pool each week, I was taught the importance of drive and passion. I would compete yearly in nationals, always striving to better each of my performances. Throughout my junior swimming career up to the age of 15, I have competed many times at National competitions and won multiple national medals.

From 12 years of age I have been coached by my current coach, Craig Kirkwood. Through my schooling years I competed at the National Cross Country Champs and National Triathlon Champs where I won multiple National titles. Craig ensured that I did minimal training as a young athlete to help foster my way into Elite level sport.

It is no secret that sport is never a linear path of success and with that I definitely had my ups and downs. Through my later years of high school, I backed off the training as it all got to much but with my supportive team around me I was then able to pick it back up and find a love for the sport again.

Since finishing school I have competed in my first European season where I got to compete in 5 different countries in 5 weeks! This was an incredible opportunity and I also got to race in my first every World Triathlon Series race.

Competing at any level of sport comes with injury and setback. I am lucky enough to have Leanna and the team at Back In Action always there to help keep me on track and racing at the highest level!

SARAH GARDNER

I started running at High School and have been hooked ever since. Although I wasn’t the fastest when I began my running journey at 13, I developed a passion for the sport that led me to commit to hours of training which I still continue to love and enjoy.

In 2017 our family moved to Tauranga and I started my physio journey with Back in Action, who are, without a doubt, the best physios in the region. Under the guidance of Leanna and the team at Back in Action and my coach Craig Kirkwood, I managed to get back into competitive racing after a 5 year hiatus from the sport.

With a few years of consistent training I stepped up in distance to the half marathon in 2018 and set a PB of 1.19.34. I backed this up with a great season in 2019, setting PBS in the 3000m, 5000m and half marathon (1.18.36), a time which was ranked third fastest recorded by a New Zealand woman in 2019. However 2020-2021 saw my achilles injury flare up, this time requiring me to have 9 months off running as I recovered from a 2/3 insertional tear and subsequent bone spur. With the ongoing support of the physios at Back in Action I am now back training and looking to start competing again in 2023, with my eyes on a half marathon PB for my 40th birthday in 2024.

Running allows me to maintain an active lifestyle and is great for mental health, especially as I also work full time as a Teacher at Tauranga Girls’ College. Although injuries do go hand in hand with elite level running, I love how Back in Action has a holistic approach and not only treats the injury, but also looks at what strength and rehabilitation is needed to prevent this injury from recurring.

 

GREERTON MARIST RECREATION AND SPORTS CLUB

Back In Action Physio has been proud sponsors of Greerton Marist Rugby AND Netball for the past 11 years. Our staff all enjoy being players in the teams, Sports Medics at trainings and games, supporting at games, and of course enjoying the club socially.

For more information about the club click on the following link:

http://www.greertonmaristnz.org.nz/

 

 

RANGATAUA SPORTS AND CULTURAL CLUB

Over the last 8 years, our sponsorship of Rangataua Club has grown to include Premier and Development Men’s Rugby, Women’s Rugby, Men’s Sevens, and Women’s Netball Teams. We feel part of the whanau at Rangataua and look forward to helping them achieve again this year.

For more information about the club click on either of the following links:

Rangataua Rugby Website

Rangataua Sports Club Facebook Page