Dr Suzie Belcher
Academic Staff Member
Contact info
Phone
+647 834 8800 extension 3605
Location
About
I originally hail from the UK where I started my physiotherapy career. In the UK, I worked in a variety of physiotherapy fields: NHS (Emergency on-call resp, neuro outpatients, ortho, and MSK), military, high-performance sport and private clinics. I moved to NZ in 2013, becoming a citizen in 2021. I have spent the last ten years of my career specialising in high-performance sport and sports injury prevention. I am a keen researcher, with the focus of my work being around movement analysis, biomechanics, and the physical demands of activities/sport. I currently live with my partner in Auckland with our black lab pup ‘Rugby’. We spend most of our time outdoors hiking, hitting the beach, or mountains.
Awards
Qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Physio, Keele University, 2008
- MSc Sport’s Injury Management and Therapy, Sheffield Hallam University, 2012
- PhD National Injury Prevention Programmes, AUT, 2021
Areas of expertise
Industry experience, affiliations, and achievements
Research activity
Injury prevention, sports performance, and biomechanics.
Select publications
Conference abstracts:
- Belcher, S., Whatman, C., Brughelli, M., & Borotkanics, R. (2018) Ten-year review of lower extremity netball injuries in New Zealand. Selected Abstracts from the 2018 Sports Medicine New Zealand Conference. Nelson.
- Belcher, S., Whatman, C., Brughelli, M., & Borotkanics. (2020) Netball neuromuscular warm-up improves landing technique. Selected Abstracts from the 2020 Sports Medicine New Zealand Conference. Tauranga.
Journal publications:
- Belcher, S., Whatman, C., Brughelli, M., & Borotkanics, R. (2020) Ten-year nationwide review of netball ankle and knee injuries in New Zealand. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 23(10), 937-942. doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2020.04.004.
- Belcher, S., Whatman, C., Brughelli, M., & Borotkanics, R (2021) Short and long versions of a 12-week netball specific neuromuscular warm-up improves landing technique in youth netballers. Physical Therapy in Sport, (49), 31-36.
- Belcher, S., Whatman, C., & Brughelli, M. (2021) Key considerations for the successful implementation of national injury prevention programmes: A narrative review. New Zealand Journal of Sport Medicine, 48(1).
- Belcher, S., Whatman, C., Brughelli, M., & Borotkanics, R. (2021) Improved performance in youth netballers using two different length netball specific warm-ups. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. Feb February 2022. doi:10.1177/17479541221077252.
- Belcher, S., Whatman, C., & Brughelli, M. (2021) A systematic video analysis of 21 in game anterior cruciate ligament injuries in elite netball players. Sports Biomechanics. 7;1-18. doi: 10.1080/14763141.2022.2034928.
What do you enjoy about teaching/your job?
I enjoy the challenge of working with a diverse team to guide the next generation of physiotherapists. So, we can all strive to be holistic in thought and treatment, curious, reasoned, and kind.
What do you love about your area?
I am constantly curious about movement patterning and how the human body achieves what it does. My areas of expertise give me an opportunity to investigate movement and then influence changes or adaptions to the body’s outcomes.
Tell us about your experience in the industry
I have over a decade of experience working in several fields of physiotherapy (hospital, private clinics, military, academic, and sports industry). I largely practiced physiotherapy in the UK and NZ but have also travelled the world with sports teams or athletes. Recently, I completed my PhD in injury prevention and am proud to have published several studies in respected journals.
