From August 2024 to April 2025, Therapeak Performance proudly partnered with the University of South Australia to support a Participatory Community Practice (PCP) Project, as part of a fieldwork placement for undergraduate occupational therapy students.

This unique project-based placement forms part of UniSA’s innovative occupational therapy curriculum. Rather than traditional clinical work or research, PCP placements focus on capacity-building and community-focused practice. Under supervision, students collaborate with organisations and stakeholders to develop sustainable strategies that respond to identified needs in the community—building their skills in project planning, collaboration, and therapeutic application in real-world settings.

 

Project Focus: Investigating the Use of Sports in Occupational Therapy

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This year’s project centred around the question: How can occupational therapists use sport as a therapeutic tool to support children's development? Inspired by growing concerns around reduced physical activity in children and adolescents, the project explored how sport can be integrated into OT practice to support physical, sensory, social, and emotional development.

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The project aimed to:

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• Connect with paediatric OTs in Australia already using sport in therapy

• Learn from their experiences around what works well (e.g. session formats, equipment, parent engagement)

• Explore what helps engage both children and families in sports-based OT

• Begin developing a community of practice for OTs passionate about the therapeutic use of sport

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The students were supported and mentored by:

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• Georgia Pozorski – Paediatric OT, Therapeak Performance

• Patricia Mae Matarlo – Director and OT, Therapeak Performance

• Rikki Singh – Director and OT, Beyond OT Australia

• They were also guided academically by their university supervisor from UniSA.

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Student Acknowledgement: We extend our sincere thanks and congratulations to the students who brought this project to life:

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• Alexis Tripodi

• Wesley Ross McNair

• Taj Shahin

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Through their hard work, creativity, and dedication, they have contributed valuable insight to the OT community and laid the groundwork for future development in this exciting area of practice. Their final output—an engaging and informative eBook—reflects their thoughtful investigation and commitment to the profession.

We are incredibly proud to have worked alongside these future occupational therapists and grateful to the University of South Australia for championing such forward-thinking placements in our field.

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