Specialists

Our specialists have worked with elite athletes, dancers and teams from the  Crusaders Development Squad to the Football Ferns. We bring this knowledge into our practice, and use the same model as we would use for an elite athlete to care for our patients and their families. 


Our team is passionate about ongoing learning and we incorporate the latest science and research into our injury management to create bespoke treatment plans tailored to each patient’s clinical needs.


Our team works cohesively to ensure that you receive prompt investigations and personalised care. Our focus is on making the treatment process simple, approachable, and easy to understand whilst maintaining clear communication with our referrers.

Dr Yaso Kathiravel

Sport and Exercise Physician
Founder and Clinical Director

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    Yaso’s journey into the world of Sports and Exercise Medicine occurred when she sustained a serious neck injury playing rugby. Frustrated at the absence of medical support by the pitch she started working with the late Donald Macleod at Scottish Rugby to improve medical support at grassroots rugby.


    Under his mentorship, she embarked on multiple research projects and leadership roles within the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine (BASEM).


    She maintained her passion and curiosity and involvement about sports medicine while continuing her surgical training in Scotland.


    When she came to Christchurch, she embarked on the Specialist Training in Sport and Exercise Medicine and was awarded the Fellowship of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (FACSEP) in 2021.


    A Specialist with experience working with elite teams such as Scottish Rugby, Crusaders Development Squad and Football Ferns, her true passion is with working with children and young adults.


    A mother of two daughters who are passionate about sports, Yaso understands the challenges of managing children’s injuries!


    She enjoys working with university athletes and has been involved with working with the Lincoln University Sports Scholars and was the Medical Lead for the FISU World University Games in 2025.


    A lifelong learner, she is involved with multiple research studies and has a role as an Adjunct Research Associate at Lincoln University. Yaso is also a reviewer for the prestigious British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM).

    Yaso’s believes in a holistic and patient centred model of care which led her to establish Beckford Sports Medicine.


Dr Chamal Gunathilaka

Sport Medicine Doctor

MBBS PG Dip(Sports Med) MRCGP (UK)

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    Chamal is a General Practitioner with a special interest in Sport and Exercise Medicine, offering over 15 years of diverse medical experience. After qualifying as a doctor in 2009, he refined his skills as a General Practitioner in the U.K, accumulating extensive experience across various fields, including general medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, paediatrics, and sports medicine. His professional journey includes working with national league football teams in the U.K., as well as the Christchurch Red Devils ice hockey team.


    With a deep passion for supporting sports personnel, Chamal brings a wealth of knowledge to his practice, guiding athletes through their sporting journeys. He firmly believes that regular exercise and an active lifestyle are vital for preventing many health-related issues. His goal is to help individuals recover swiftly from injuries, enabling them to stay active and engaged in their sporting activities.


    A true athlete, Chamal was a high-level sprinter and hurdler in his native Sri Lanka with multiple medals.