This year marks a remarkable milestone for physiotherapist Linda Bennetts: 50 years in the profession.

From humble beginnings on a farm in Southland, New Zealand, to mentoring the next generation at Sports & Spinal, Linda’s journey reflects resilience, commitment, and a lifelong passion for holistic healing. 

Linda’s path to physiotherapy was anything but linear. Initially planning to pursue medicine, she enrolled in the medical intermediate course, which included chemistry, biology, physics, and psychology. Reflecting on her first day at university, Linda recalls the interview that changed everything: 

“I had an interview with this gentleman, who hasn’t yet looked at me. I haven’t forgotten him. He asked me all these questions… What did your parents do? How many medical people do you have in your family? And what were your academic results? I had the second highest in my cohort. So, this man looked at me and said, ‘What are you going to do at the end of this year when you don’t get into med school?’“ 

It was a moment that ignited an internal fire, one that would shape the rest of her career. 

Two-thirds of the way through the year, a pivot to physiotherapy came almost by accident when textbooks in the university hostel caught her eye, revealing a striking similarity to medicine. With only a week before applications closed, references were gathered, interviews were completed, and a place secured. This bold, quick decision was the first of many spontaneous choices that would define a career built on taking risks and embracing challenges. That first year remains vivid as a blur of learning: “It was intense, but I absolutely loved it.” 

Graduating in the 1970s with a three-year diploma, which would now be considered degree-level, Linda entered a male-dominated field with ambition and skill. She quickly made her mark, becoming the first female physiotherapist to travel with the New Zealand team to the Commonwealth Games. The schedule was gruelling: 

“We started at six in the morning until nearly midnight every day… It was hard work, but fantastic. The relationships you develop with people over that time are really special.” 

Linda’s work at the 1983 World Athletics Championship in Helsinki was demanding in every sense, intensified further when learning she was pregnant with her first daughter. This discovery meant sacrificing attendance at the 1984 Olympics, a decision that underscores the professional compromises faced by women working in sport. The Games also offered rare proximity to some of the era’s greatest athletes, including world-record decathlete and two-time Olympic champion Daley Thompson. 

“I was the only medic with the team… we stayed in the Games Village, and I shared a room with a heptathlete. Several mornings, I had breakfast with Daley Thompson.”  

Split-second decisions often defined the role. On one occasion, a player collided with a smaller boy’s head and was initially misdiagnosed by the attending doctor, prompting Linda to take charge. The evacuation revealed a cervical fracture. On another occasion, a ruptured spleen was identified when others assumed a fractured rib. These moments illustrate how physiotherapists can play a critical, sometimes lifesaving role on the field. 

Risk was never far from daily work. While attending to a head injury on the rugby field, Linda was struck during a tackle, fracturing her femur and requiring three years working from a wheelchair. “It was a challenging period, but it gave me even greater empathy for my patients,” she reflects, adding, “I know what you can do… I can push people sometimes.” That experience gave her a unique, empowering perspective on patient recovery. 

Linda’s work with elite athletes spans rugby, boxing, MMA, and track and field. After moving to Australia, the New Zealand practice she had built and sold became the official physiotherapy clinic for the All Blacks, a testament to both her clinical skill and her capability as a practice owner. This extended into multiple successful clinics over the years, earning widespread respect for her expertise, precision, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of physiotherapists.  

One of the clearest examples of Linda’s mentorship is Will Peterson, another valued member of the team. While working at a practice in East Brisbane, Linda supervised Will in his role as a physio aide assistant while he completed his practical training. She later helped him secure the same role at Sports & Spinal, and he went on to earn a position as a graduate physiotherapist. They now work together at Sports & Spinal Woolloongabba, continuing the mentorship that first shaped his career. 

This commitment to developing talent reflects a wider approach that balances elite sport with local athletic communities. For more than 40 years, Linda has served Brisbane’s Wests Bulldogs Rugby Club, providing treatment and guidance on injury prevention, recovery, and overall athletic development. Involvement at Wests demonstrates expertise spanning high-performance athletes to local club players, highlighting a lifelong dedication to community health and wellbeing. 

Linda’s approach is famously practical. For example, rather than prescribing exercises to be done at specific times, she tells patients, “I don’t want you to do exercises for 20 minutes twice a day. I want you to do this every time you stand up.” This simple philosophy embodies Linda’s holistic method and shows her understanding of human behaviour, how to make therapy effective and accessible. 

Even decades into her career, Linda’s expertise continues to be sought. When her private practice closed due to injury and circumstance, Sean Campbell, Managing Director of Sports & Spinal, reached out personally, recognising the experience and calm authority Linda would bring to the team. “I felt immediately welcomed and valued; it was the perfect fit.” 

After 50 years in the field, her energy and passion for physiotherapy remain undiminished. “What I am most proud of is that I still enjoy my work every day. I feel I still have a contribution to make,” she says. 

Linda’s story is more than a personal achievement. It is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and care. Her journey reminds us that a career can shape countless lives, not only through skill, but through empathy, mentorship, and a genuine love of helping people move well and live better.