Davide Castorina
Masterton
Summary
Experienced Physiotherapist with extensive experience across clinical, community, and sports settings in both Italy and Aotearoa/New Zealand. Passionate about concussion management and sports injury evaluation. Proven ability to enhance team collaboration and deliver culturally competent care. Recognized for championing hauora-centred practices and achieving streamlined patient pathways, ensuring optimal rehabilitation outcomes in high-pressure environments.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Injury Assessment (HIA) Physio
NZ Rugby Union
08.2023 - Current
- Conducted Head Injury Assessments (HIA) for Farah Palmer Cup Women's Rugby competitions.
Provided physiotherapy support during 2023 home games for Hawke's Bay Tui.
Delivered physiotherapy services for Manawatū Cyclones during 2024 home games.
Employed as casual physiotherapist for 2025 rugby competition.
World Rugby First Aid In Rugby (FAIR) Educator
NZ Rugby Union
06.2022 - Current
- Conducting First Aid in Rugby courses as Educator across New Zealand
Senior Physiotherapist
TBI Health
Masterton, New Zealand
08.2019 - Current
- Provided physiotherapy services as MSK and vestibular specialist across multiple ACC contracts (PMS, Concussion Service, TI, VRS, ECP, ICPMSK).
- Served as navigator for ECP and ICPMSK pathways, ensuring streamlined patient flow.
- Acted as key worker for TI contracts, coordinating care and resources effectively.
Hauora Connect Kaiārahi
TBI Health
10.2019 - 02.2025
- Champions hauora-centred care—balancing western clinical practice with Māori frameworks of wellbeing. Delivering Te Tiriti o Waitangi training for TBI clinics around Aotearoa/New Zealand
Research Assistant for NZRU Concussion Management Pathway
NZ Rugby Union
03.2022 - 09.2022
- Research Assistant for Concussion Management Pathway (CMP) research led by Dr Danielle Salmon and published in 2024: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11621389/
Wairarapa Bush Rugby Physio/Medic
Heartland Championship
01.2018 - 10.2021
- Lead Physiothrapist/Medic for Wairarapa Bush Hearthland Team.
NZ Heartland U19 Physiotherapist (Jock Hobbs Memorial Tournament)
NZRU
01.2017 - 12.2019
- Lead Physiotherapist for NZ Heartland U19 rugby team during the Jock Hobbs Memorial tournament from 2017 to 2019
Senior Physiotherapist
CAPE Physio
Masterton
01.2018 - 07.2019
- Clinic-based MSK Physiotherapist
Senior Physiotherapist
Absolute Therapy
Wellington, New Zealand
01.2016 - 12.2017
- Self-employed clinic-based musculoskeletal physiotherapist
Elite Personal Trainer
Habit Health and Fitness
Wellington, New Zealand
01.2013 - 12.2017
Senior Massage Therapist
Absolute Therapy
Wellington, New Zealand
01.2013 - 12.2015
Personal Trainer
61 Wellness Club
Rome, Italy
02.2012 - 12.2013
Senior Massage Therapist
Iselde De Boam Massage Therapy
Wellington, New Zealand
01.2011 - 12.2012
Personal Trainer
Cityfitness Thorndon
Wellington, New Zealand
09.2011 - 02.2012
Physiotherapist
Kinesport Mandarano Fisioterapia
Rome, Italy
01.2010 - 07.2011
Physiotherapist
Fisiomed srl
Rome, Italy
01.2009 - 04.2011
Sport Physiotherapist
CUS Roma Rugby Club
Rome, Italy
01.2009 - 06.2010
Sports and Injury Massage Therapist
Petone Rugby Football Club
, New Zealand
01.2008 - 12.2008
Education
Diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy -
McKenzie Institute International
01.2024
World Rugby First Aid In Rugby Educator -
World Rugby
01.2022
MOOC Concussion: prevention, detection and management -
University of Calgary
01.2021
Vestibular Rehabilitation - An Introductory Course -
Vestibular Rehabilitation Training NZ
01.2020
NZ Rugby First Aid Refresher -
World Rugby
Taupō, New Zealand01.2019
Concussion - A Changing Culture Conference -
Brain Injury HB
Napier, New Zealand01.2018
Level 2 Immediate Care In Rugby (Accredited Medic) -
World Rugby
Wellington, NZ01-2018
National Certificate in Fitness (Exercise Consultant) Level 3 -
Skills Active New Zealand
Wellington, NZ11-2011
McKenzie International Credentialed Therapist Exam -
McKenzie Institute International
Milan, Italy05-2010
Laurea in Fisioterapia (Bachelor of Physiotherapy), Graduated With Distinction -
Universitá Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore Di Roma
Rome, Italy11-2007
Skills
- Health and fitness principles
- Sports injury evaluation
- Cultural competency
- Clinical reasoning
- Problem solving
- Team collaboration
- Concussion management
- Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
- Vestibular assessment
- Effective communication
Personal Info
- Date of Birth: 01/19/86
- Nationality: Italian - New Zealand Citizen
Languages
- Italian (Mother-Tongue)
- English (Full Professional Proficiency)
- Māori (Intermediate)
- Spanish (Beginner)
Affiliations
- Coaching Junior Rugby Teams (current)
- Running First Aid In Rugby (FAIR) courses nationwide in New Zealand
- Running Concussion workshops and Strapping clinics for Wairarapa Bush Rugby Union
- Carterton Senior Reserve Player - (2018-2021)
- Kyokushin Karate National Champion (Novice) - (2013)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head Injury Assessment (HIA) Physio
NZ Rugby Union
08.2023 - Current
World Rugby First Aid In Rugby (FAIR) Educator
NZ Rugby Union
06.2022 - Current
Research Assistant for NZRU Concussion Management Pathway
NZ Rugby Union
03.2022 - 09.2022
Hauora Connect Kaiārahi
TBI Health
10.2019 - 02.2025
Senior Physiotherapist
TBI Health
08.2019 - Current
Wairarapa Bush Rugby Physio/Medic
Heartland Championship
01.2018 - 10.2021
Senior Physiotherapist
CAPE Physio
01.2018 - 07.2019
NZ Heartland U19 Physiotherapist (Jock Hobbs Memorial Tournament)
NZRU
01.2017 - 12.2019
Senior Physiotherapist
Absolute Therapy
01.2016 - 12.2017
Elite Personal Trainer
Habit Health and Fitness
01.2013 - 12.2017
Senior Massage Therapist
Absolute Therapy
01.2013 - 12.2015
Personal Trainer
61 Wellness Club
02.2012 - 12.2013
Personal Trainer
Cityfitness Thorndon
09.2011 - 02.2012
Senior Massage Therapist
Iselde De Boam Massage Therapy
01.2011 - 12.2012
Physiotherapist
Kinesport Mandarano Fisioterapia
01.2010 - 07.2011
Physiotherapist
Fisiomed srl
01.2009 - 04.2011
Sport Physiotherapist
CUS Roma Rugby Club
01.2009 - 06.2010
Sports and Injury Massage Therapist
Petone Rugby Football Club
01.2008 - 12.2008
Diploma in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy -
McKenzie Institute International
World Rugby First Aid In Rugby Educator -
World Rugby
MOOC Concussion: prevention, detection and management -
University of Calgary
Vestibular Rehabilitation - An Introductory Course -
Vestibular Rehabilitation Training NZ
NZ Rugby First Aid Refresher -
World Rugby
Concussion - A Changing Culture Conference -
Brain Injury HB
Level 2 Immediate Care In Rugby (Accredited Medic) -
World Rugby
National Certificate in Fitness (Exercise Consultant) Level 3 -
Skills Active New Zealand
McKenzie International Credentialed Therapist Exam -
McKenzie Institute International
Laurea in Fisioterapia (Bachelor of Physiotherapy), Graduated With Distinction -
Universitá Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore Di Roma