Dr Craig Panther
Sport and Exercise Physician
MBChB, MMedSci, FACSEP
Craig is a Sport and Exercise Physician at Axis with a keen interest in football medicine having worked with the All Whites and UK Premier League club Fulham FC. He is the team doctor for the FIFA Club World Cup Bronze medalists Auckland City FC, a position he has held since 2005.
He also has an interest in sailing medicine, having worked for the French America's Cup yachting syndicate at the Auckland-based event, and is currently Medical Director for Yachting NZ. In this capacity he was part of the successful NZ Olympic Sailing team at the Rio Olympics in 2016, and will be attending the (now rescheduled) Tokyo 2020 Games.
During his training Craig gained experience overseas spending two years in London working at the Pure Sports Medicine Clinic and a further two years in Melbourne at both Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre and with AFL club Geelong FC.
Particular clinical interests include ultrasound guided procedures and paediatric sports medicine. He also enjoys seeing the non-athlete, and helping his patients stay active and independent throughout their lives.
In his spare time he enjoys getting out on the water as much as possible, running (slowly) and learning the bass guitar.
Team Involvement and Achievements:
Current:
- New Zealand High Performance Sports Medicine Provider
- Team Doctor Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
- Medical Director Yachting NZ
- Auckland City Football Club Doctor
Previous:
- Team Doctor Rio Olympic Games, 2016
- Venue Medical Officer, FIFA U20 World Cup, 2015
- Event Physician Auckland ITU World Cup Triathlon, 2011
- Geelong Football (AFL) Club Team Doctor, 2010
- Fulham Football Club Team Doctor, 2006-2008
