Home | Specialties | Sports and Exercise Medicine | Dr Sharron Flahive

Dr Sharron Flahive

Sport & Exercise Physician

Dr Sharron Flahive is a Sport & Exercise Physician having gained Fellowship of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP) in 2004 where she was awarded the college medal for highest achievement in her fellowship exams.

Sharron is currently the Chief Medical Officer of the National Rugby League (NRL) and Team Doctor for the Sydney Swans FC.

Sharron was the first female Sports Physician to be appointed to a professional rugby union team in 1999 when she was appointed as the NSW Waratahs Chief Medical Officer, a role she retained for almost 20 years; making her their longest serving member of staff at the time - for this she was honoured with life membership and the Joe French award for her outstanding contribution to rugby.

Outside of her team appointments and private practice, Sharron has a devotion to education, teaching and professional development within the Sport and Exercise Medicine field. She is currently a Non-Executive Director for International Rugby Players (IRP) and Chair of the Education Committee at ACSEP.

Whilst Sharron has gained recognition by her involvement with sporting teams, her work transcends the elite environment.   Sharron’s specialty lies in being able to assist all patients return to their usual level of fitness, work and life without pain and dysfunction – irrespective of their level of activity. Pain from injury is seldom discerning. In time, neither the young nor the old outwit its unwelcomed embrace. It greets the genders with the precision of utmost political correctness. Weekend warriors, elite and professional athletes are all welcomed with equal enthusiasm. Not being able to exercise or participate in work due to pain from injury is frustrating to us all ... irrespective of whether you are a recreational walker or a budding professional athlete.

Patients of Sharron will note two features of her treatment. Firstly, that each patient is an individual that needs to be managed on an individual basis. Secondly, some patients do require further specialist investigation. It is the identification of the very best specialist medical talent for that patient's particular ailment in a timely manner that is critical. In all instances, a carefully calibrated management program designed for the individual and managed by the best medical care is what makes the difference in a patient making their best possible recovery. Sharron transfers the principles of elite athlete injury prevention and rehabilitation to recreational athletes of all ages.

For all appointment bookings and enquiries with Dr Sharron Flahive please phone their office on (02) 8323 6500.
A valid GP referral is required for all appointments.

Abbreviated CV:

Qualifications

2004 Fellowship of the Australasian College of Sports Physician (FACSP) Recipient of the Gold Medal
1990 Diploma in Sports Medicine London Hospital Medical College, Whitechapel, London
1986 Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) Otago University, New Zealand

Team Appointments Held

2021 - current: Chief Medical Officer of the National Rugby League (NRL)
2021 – current: Team Doctor Sydney Swans Football Club
2021 – 2023: Team Doctor Wallabies Australian Rugby Union Team
2021: Chief Medical Officer Equestrian Australia
2019-2021: Wallaroos Women’s Rugby Union Team Chief Medical Officer
1999-2019: NSW Waratahs Chief Medical Officer- 20 years involvement with NSW Rugby as Team Physician. This role has also involved a management component as Coordinator within the Medical Department, as well as the Academy and Junior Rugby development.
2017: Medical Officer, Sydney 7’s Tournament
2017: Member World Rugby TUE Committee
2013: Medical Consultant to Cavalia Stage Production
2008: Medical Consultant to Cirque du Soleil in Sydney "Dralion"
2003: Organiser and Member Match Day Medical Team. 2003 Rugby World Cup. Sydney City Medical Liaison Rugby World Cup
2000: Sydney 2000 Olympic Games: Research Coordinator-Overuse Injuries. Publication: "Bone Stress in Athletes at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games"
1999: NSW Under 21 Rugby Union Team; NSW Waratahs Academy Doctor; NSW Institute of Sport: Diving.
1997-1999: Gordon Rugby Football Club Doctor. Premiership Title 1998
1997: Sydney World Cup Triathlon; Arafura Games; Darwin; "Test of the Toughest" – Television Sports Challenge. Doctor for Series.
1996: Honda Masters Games – Alice Springs; Australian Gymnastics Championships; St George Sprint Triathlon Series
1995: World Police Games (Melbourne); Wellington Dukes Rugby League: National Competition; Wellington Cricket Women's Team; Hutt Old Boys Marist Rugby Union Club; Premier Team and club wide consulting; Petone Rugby Union Club; Wainuiomata Rugby Union Club
1994: New Zealand Maori Rugby League Tournament; Hutt Valley Firestone Firehawks: National Competition Team Dr; World Cup Triathlon Championships; New Zealand National Hockey Tournament; New Zealand National Kyokushin Karate Tournament; Wellington Cricket Women's Team; Hutt Old Boys Marist Rugby Union Club
1993: Wainuiomata Rugby League Club CMO – National Club Champions; Hutt Valley Netball Association; Wellington Cricket Women's Team; Hutt District Cricket Association; Rothman's Rally Of New Zealand

Previous Appointments

1989-1990 Diploma in Sports Medicine The London Hospital Medical College Whitechapel, London, E1
Dissertation undertaken during course: Fluid Management in Endurance Exercise Other:Medical Officer for the London Marathon;Medical Officer attending Brands Hatch and Lyddon International Circuit Meetings