Cricket Wellington is delighted to announce a new partnership with Cross Physiotherapy and Performance as Official Supplier of physiotherapy.

The partnership will see Cross Physio provide physiotherapists for the Wellington Firebirds and Blaze, as well as the Cricket Wellington pathway squads, to ensure all players are fit and healthy and able to perform at their best.

Cross Physio founder Gavin Cross said the partnership was an opportunity to give back to cricket and help develop future high-performance athletes.

“We’ve been really privileged to work with the Wellington Blaze over the last two seasons and it’s wonderful that we can now help develop the best cricketers in Wellington and help them reach their potential.”

“High-performance cricketers deal with unique schedules, with plenty of travel and having to adapt to different formats over a busy summer.

“We want to ensure Wellington’s best cricketers are well prepared for those unique scenarios and ensure they’re primed for optimal performance no matter the format.”

Cross Physio are a team of physios based in Wellington that believe in movement, strength and function. The only NBA ratified clinic in New Zealand, trusted by Olympic athletes and professional sports teams alike, the team at Cross Physio draw on a wide range of expertise to deliver world-class care. Treatment options are multi-faceted, incorporating injury rehabilitation, strength and conditioning and functional fitness. The clinic uses the latest in performance technology to measure, track and individualise rehabilitation.

Founder Gavin Cross is currently the lead physiotherapist for the Wellington Firebirds, and  brings extensive experience to the team. Grayson Harwood recently completed a Masters in Physiotherapy, and is leading the way in evidence based treatment and force plate technology. Sam Thomas is the physiotherapist for the Wellington Blaze and works across multiple high level basketball platforms.

The clinic is proud to have provided physiotherapy to the Tall Ferns, Tall Blacks, Wellington Saints, Wellington Phoenix Academy, Capital Football, Wellington Basketball, Wellington Softball and New Zealand Handball, as well as a variety of athletes representing New Zealand at Olympic, World and Commonwealth Games levels.

Aside from his physiotherapy skills, Gavin has experience as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the New Zealand Tall Blacks and Tall Ferns, as well as providing the physiotherapy, rehab and strength programmes for Steven Adams over the past 11 years.

“This is a partnership that has been in the making for a number of years,” said Cricket Wellington general manager Liz Green.

“Gavin and the team have been huge supporters of the Blaze over the past two seasons, so it only seemed right that they’d join the team officially and provide their expertise across all of our professional and up and coming players.

“Cross Physio bring a huge amount of experience to the Cricket Wellington family - you only have to look at the list of athletes and teams that they have worked with in the past to know our players will be in safe hands.

“We’re excited to see the impact that the Cross Physio team can have on the teams’ performances on the field.”

Article added: Thursday 23 December 2021