Meet our Coaches
Cathy Howells
Amputee Physiotherapist, OAM BAppSc(Phty). Cathy is a registered physiotherapist who has worked exclusively with amputees for over 30 years. She has lectured at the Lower Extremity Prosthetics Course run by UNSW and accredited by the Australasian College of Rehabilitation Medicine since 1991. Cathy is also the author of “The Amputee Coach – Empowering You to Walk Well, Be Fit and Enjoy Life!” which was published in 2009. Written specifically for amputees. In January 2013, Cathy was awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to physiotherapy and people with a disability.
Chris Nunn
Running Coach, OAM. Chris Nunn is motivated by getting the best out of people. As an athlete, Chris represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games, and then transferred his knowledge and motivation across to become one of the world’s most successful Paralympic Coaches. Chris also led the Australian Athletics Team to be the best in the world at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games and was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to people with a disability.
David Howells, OAM
OAM, AOPA FAIM. David has been appointed as the Prosthetist to the Paralympic Team since Sydney 2000, and was bestowed with a Medal in the Order of Australia in 2006, in recognition of his contribution to amputees and the prosthetic profession. David has presented at Australian and International Conferences and has been lecturing at the UNSW Lower Extremity Prosthetics Course for more than 30 years. A huge passion of David's is working with Paralympic athletes and applying these cutting-edge practices to everyday community clients.
Phoebe Thompson
Yoga/Wellness Coach For 14 years, Phoebe has been working as a Prosthetist and Orthotist with a wide range of amputees in both the public and private sector, nationally and internationally. Phoebe loves helping her patients achieve their mobility goals as well as working with them to improve their overall health and wellness, also providing assessment-based programs that are clinically focused to meet individual’s needs.
Shailendra Maharaj, Physiotherapist
Physiotherapist, BAppSc(Phty). Shail is currently a Senior Physiotherapist within the Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. For over twelve years Shail has worked with children with limb difference and currently coordinates the Limb Difference Clinic within the major tertiary hospital in the state of Queensland, Australia. Shail is passionate about seeing children and their families widen their horizons in the area of sports, recreation and leisure.