Election of Western Cape SASMA Representative 2011

4 candidates have been nominated for election.  A short biographical profile follows:

Alan Kourie
Since completing my MBBch at Wits, I have gone on to do my internship at Tygerberg and my community service in a small farming town called Greytown in the Natal midlands where I was introduced adventure sport. I then ventured further rural to a place called Manguzi on the Mozambique border. Following this I locumed around Ireland before basing in Dubai for 2 years to help set up and run the emergency centre in the Medi-clinic venture there.I was involved in the Dubai 7’s and the ATP tennis. I currently work at the Constantia Sports Medicine centre at Constantiaberg medi-clinic and am team doc for Santos. I love traveling and go crazy for just about any sport but my passions at the moment are adventure sport, mountain biking and of course golf. Even though we have extensive room for growth in the field of Sports Medicine we have the opportunity to explore new frontiers and make a difference. It’s an exciting time and I can offer a young, explorative and holistic approach.

Mike Posthumus
Dr Mike Posthumus (PhD) is a research fellow at the UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (ESSM). Mike received his PhD for a thesis entitled “Genetic Risk Factors for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptures”. Mike completed an undergraduate degree in human physiology and biochemistry at the University of Cape Town and all his post-graduate training at ESSM. Mike completed a Leverhulme Research Fellowship in the UK after completing his PhD. Mike has published several peer-reviewed research papers and has presented at several international sports medicine conferences. Mike is also actively involved in the SA Rugby ABSA BokSmart injury prevention program.

Sharief Hendricks
I graduated Cum Laude with a B.Sc in Sport and Exercise Science at UWC  in 2006. In 2007, I obtained my Honours in Physiology at the UCT. I continued my studies in 2007 in Exercise Science at UCT and upgraded to PhD in 2010. I have published in International peer-reviewed journal, presented at 4 international conferences (1 as a guest speaker) and twice at an annual local conference. I have been invited to act as a reviewer for the Journal of Sport Science, International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching and South African Journal of Sports Medicine. Apart from my academic career, I was selected for WP under 21 (2006), and UCT Varsity Cup (2009).

Sunita Potgieter
I am a registered dietitian specializing in sport nutrition. I completed my Master’s degree at the end of 2008 and am currently a registered PhD student at Stellenbosch University. My main research focus areas involve endurance sport as well as nutritional supplementation, especially the use of caffeine in sport and performance. I am a lecturer at Stellenbosch University and I practice as a dietitian at Stellenbosch University Sport Performance Institute (SUSPI) as well as in the Strand area. I am a triathlete and have completed several Olympic and Ironman distance events, earning a World Championship slot in my age group in 2008.