UTSNZ Announces Medical Team for New Zealand at the FISU World University Games

UTSNZ is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Yaso Kathiravel as Sports Team Doctor, alongside David Cooper and Adina Holder as Team Physiotherapists, for the New Zealand team travelling to the FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, in July 2025.

Dr. Yaso Kathiravel, a distinguished Sport and Exercise Physician, will lead the medical team, bringing over 25 years of medical experience and more than 15 years specialising in sports medicine. She has an extensive background in high-performance sport, having worked with Lincoln University’s Sports Scholarship athletes, the New Zealand Football Ferns, the Canterbury Red Devils Ice Hockey team, and elite tactical athletes within the New Zealand Defence Force and Police.

A Fellow of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (FACSEP), Dr. Kathiravel is highly regarded for her expertise in youth and elite athlete care. Her passion for tertiary-aged athletes is evident through her dedicated work with Lincoln University, where she has introduced innovative approaches to mental health monitoring, female athlete education, and injury prevention. Her leadership will ensure the health and well-being of New Zealand’s athletes throughout the Games.

David Cooper, a highly experienced sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapist, brings over 17 years of expertise working with elite athletes across multiple disciplines, including Athletics, Triathlon, Basketball, and Football. As the owner of Kinetics Physiotherapy, he has established a strong reputation for innovation in rehabilitation and injury prevention. His previous roles with Athletics New Zealand, the New Zealand Breakers, and post-surgical rehabilitation consultancy highlight his ability to support athletes at the highest level.

Adina Holder also joins the team with extensive experience in high-performance sport, having worked with NZ Sevens, Black Ferns, HPSNZ Speed Climbing Team and Weightlifting NZ. With a Master's in Sports Physiotherapy from the University of Otago and a proven track record in athlete recovery and injury prevention, Holder’s expertise in multi-disciplinary collaboration and logistical planning makes her an invaluable asset to the team.

UTSNZ is thrilled to have such a highly skilled and experienced medical team in place to support New Zealand’s athletes as they prepare to compete on the global stage. The combined expertise of Dr. Kathiravel, Cooper, and Holder will ensure world-class medical and physiotherapy support, allowing athletes to perform at their best.