A Kaitāia College old boy has just been awarded the Australasian College of Sport & Exercise Physicians (ACSEP) 2024 College Award for the top exam results across all of Australia and New Zealand. Dr John Ward, who grew up in the Far North and attended the college from 2003-2007, recently passed his exams to become a specialist sport & exercise physician, earning the award for his high marks. But he’s already had major success through his career in Australia, where he is the chief medical officer (CMO) for Surfing Australia.
He recently went to the 2024 Paris Olympics where the team won a silver medal in Tahiti . He also looks after elite swimming through Queensland Academy of Sport. Ward was also the NRL Māori All Stars doctor from 2019-2023, and the Kangaroos doctor for Papua New Guinea tours 2022-2023.
He was also the CMO for the Gold Coast Titans 2019-2020, Toa Samoa in 2023 and has a long affiliation with the Burleigh Bears..