Meet our Coaches
Cathy Howells
Amputee Physiotherapist, 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.
Brett Jones
Running Coach, BAppSc(SpSc). Brett is a level 5 athletics coach and has over 20 years professional coaching experience. An internationally recognised leader in the field of running coaching, Brett has worked with numerous national teams, athletes & coaches including: The Wallabies, The Nth QLD Cowboys, The Australian Men’s and Women’s handball team, Australian Women’s hockey players and ASP World Tour surfers.
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. He has presented at Australian and International Conferences and has been lecturing at the UNSW Lower Extremity Prosthetics Course for more than 30 years. His passion is working with Paralympic athletes and applying these cutting-edge practices to his everyday community clients.
Don Elgin
Paralympian. Don Elgin was raised in NSW and was born without the lower portion of his left leg. At the age of 18, Don became a World Champion and a staggering 20 years on, represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games. Away from the sporting arena Don is a highly sought-after motivational speaker and the founder and director of StarAmp Global, a boutique management company representing some of Australia’s finest amputee talent. Don is also a published author following the release of his first book ‘One Foot on the Podium’.
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.