Rehabilitation Team

Chris Rusling

Chris has been a Physiotherapist since 2011 after graduating from Leeds Beckett University in the UK. He then completed his Master's degree in Sports and Exercise Medicine at the University of Nottingham. He published his thesis examining the role of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and injury prediction within an English Professional Football Academy.

Most of his career has been spent working with professional and elite-level youth athletes. Before moving to Canada, Chris worked as a Physiotherapist for Middlesbrough Football Club in England for five years, with various teams, progressing to Lead Academy Physiotherapist for their Premier League Academy. Chris then became the Head Physiotherapist for the Toronto Wolfpack Rugby League club, the world's first intercontinental transatlantic professional sports team. As well as being the Director of Physiotherapy at Elite, Chris is also the Head Physiotherapist for Cavalry FC and currently leading the Canadian Premier League's Internal Injury Audit.

Chris is passionate about improving the standard of Physiotherapy care for Professional and Elite Youth athletes. In particular, he is a champion for safeguarding athletes within the sporting environment regarding injury and return to play. He is an expert in lower limb, soft tissue injuries and directing the return to play process for athletes.

 
 

Kristen Funk

Kristen graduated from the University of Alberta with a M.Sc. in Physiotherapy and Trinity Western University with a B.A. in Human Kinetics. She believes strongly in continuing education and has completed post graduate specialty courses in dry needling (IMS), manual therapy, and is currently pursuing an Orthopedic Manual Therapy Diploma.

Kristen comes from the Calgary soccer community where she grew up playing and has firsthand experience in all levels of soccer. She has recently been inducted into the U Sports hall of fame for her role at Trinity Western University winning 3 National Championships. She has represented Canada at the FISU games and played for the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Kristen is passionate about athletic performance as well as helping athletes recover and return successfully to their sport from start to finish. She recognizes every injury is unique and tailors an in-depth treatment plan on an individualized basis. Experienced in complex soccer specific injuries, as well as on field performance she draws from a unique combination of knowledge for getting athletes back to peak performance.

 

Jake Senebald

Jake completed his Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 2021 from the University of Alberta. This was after he completed his Bachelor of Health and Physical Education degree from Mount Royal University in 2019. Throughout his education, he has been particularly interested in working with athletes. Jake has a range of experience working as a strength coach for youth just entering the sporting world to professional athletes. He previously worked as a Strength and Conditioning intern at the Calgary Flames and is currently an Assistant Physiotherapist with Cavalry FC.

Jake’s passion for exercise and rehabilitation stems from his own personal battle with sports-related injuries. Few things are more frustrating than missing opportunities due to a nagging injury. Jake is dedicated to providing athletes with the tools to confidently return to their weekly training sessions and competitive games.