Matt Cranney

Director, Sports and Exercise, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

Matt Cranney is a Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist (awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists, 2026), representing the top tier of clinical expertise in Australia. As one of only a select few to hold this title, Matt provides a level of diagnostic precision and rehabilitation strategy that is unique to the Erina and Tuggerah regions. He is a Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, an International Sports Physical Therapist, and an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP), offering a comprehensive “bench-to-bedside” approach to performance health.

For over a decade, Matt has been a driving force in the regional sports pathway. His deep-rooted involvement includes:

  • Central Coast Academy of Sport (CCAS)/Regional Academies of Sport (RAS): Consulting and working closely with the Academy since Coast Sport’s inception, Matt has spent 10 years helping junior athletes develop the physical resilience required for elite-level progression.
  • Basketball Excellence: 15 years of service to Central Coast Basketball, including roles with the Central Coast Crusaders, the Sydney Kings (NBL), and the NBA Academy and AIS. 
  • International Experience: Serving as a Physiotherapist for the Australian Olympic Committee at the Pacific Games in 2015.

Matt integrates advanced diagnostic skills with performance data to manage high-load athletic injuries, with a focus on:

  • Basketball Performance: Comprehensive athletic development, injury management, and performance enhancement for court athletes.
  • Mountain Bike (MTB) Specialist: Focused on development and injury management for gravity and enduro riders. Matt has worked closely with elite world-class riders, including Jack Moir and Ellie Smith.
  • Endurance & Triathlon: Expert load management for Ironman and Triathlon training, focusing on efficiency and injury resilience.
  • Bone Stress & Tendon Injuries: Evidence-based protocols for stress fractures and chronic tendinopathy.
  • Shoulder & Knee Specialisation: Advanced rehabilitation for overhead athletes and complex return-to-sport testing for ACL injuries.

A local mountain biker, Matt, embodies the Coast Sport mantra: Feel Well, Move Well, Perform Well. He combines his academic rigour as a Specialist Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist of the Australian College of Physiotherapists with a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to keep the Central Coast community performing at its peak.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Specialist Sports Physiotherapist do?

A Specialist Sports Physiotherapist manages complex injuries and return to sport plans using advanced assessment, evidence based rehab, and objective testing.

Do I need a referral to see Matt?

No. You can book directly. If you have imaging, correspondence or surgeon notes, bring them along.

I’m an endurance athlete (Triathlon/MTB/Running)—how can Matt help with my training load?

Matt combines his clinical Physio skills with his expertise as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP). This is a significant advantage for Ironman, Triathlon, and MTB athletes. Instead of just treating the pain, Matt analyses your training data and biomechanics to manage load effectively. Whether you are recovering from a stress fracture or prepping for a race, he creates evidence-based programs that balance injury resilience with peak performance.

Does Matt provide specialised return-to-sport testing for junior athletes and basketballers?

Yes. Leveraging his 15-year history with Central Coast Basketball and 10 years with the CCAS, Matt utilises objective performance data to determine when an athlete is truly ready to return to play. This is particularly critical for ACL reconstructions and high-load court sports. Matt’s protocols ensure that junior athletes develop the necessary physical foundations to prevent re-injury and transition safely back into competitive environments.

 

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