FOUNDER | PHYSICAL REHAB THERAPIST

Donald Ravenscroft

I believe that losing weight, getting fitter or running a marathon is just part of a greater goal! Ultimately, in my opinion people, regardless of age, want to be able to live their lives with more vigour, vitality and aliveness for every day.

Personal Training
Personal Training

I believe in the total wellbeing of the body. Every day I meet people who wish they were just that little bit lighter, fitter or stronger. My aim is to accomplish that by improving balance, movement, strength, speed, agility, mobility, flexibility and overall performance throughout the body. I work with our clients daily so they can bring strength and balance to their lives through their health and fitness.

I started my career working with individuals who had been brain damaged in accidents and used Taekwondo as a way to teach, rehab and train them, alongside the South African National Team’s Physiotherapist.

From there I qualified as a Pilates teacher under Stott on both floor, matt and the reformer. I now focus on functional movement and performance using multiple fitness approaches, such as Kettlebells, CrossFit, CrossCore-180, Pilates and Trigger Point Therapy to name a few.

I was on the National and Olympic squad as an athlete for over 12 years and qualified for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in the sport of Taekwondo. I have been in the Health and Fitness industry for over 16 years as a Pilates teacher, remedial massage and exercise therapist, and as an athlete.

I now work as a Physical Exercise Specialist, Personal trainer and CrossFit coach. I specialise in Corrective Exercise Therapy and neck, back and spine pain and injuries. I work with people of all ages to develop healthy and sustainable lifestyles and fitness habits.



GET IN TOUCH

Consultation with Donald


CALL US ANYTIME

+27 (0) 44 533 0155 / 0722649118


EMAIL DONALD

donald@plettsportsclinic.com


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OFFICAL CV AND AWARDS

Donald up close


  • Work experience
  • Achievements
  • Awards

Donald’s Olympic Taekwondo career started from 1994 where he was selected to train in South Korea for several years as part of the South African Taekwondo National team. Over the course of 10+ years he won several South African Championships and World Championships in his Heavy weight division. Early 2000, he qualified for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

As a Black Belt (4th Dan) he also fulfilled an instructors course for Close Quarter Combat, Practical Street Defence & Weapons training in South Korea. Below is a brief overview of some of the titles he won.

Donald is also a qualified Stott Pilates Instructor who worked with the Olympic squad from 1997-2004.  As a Rehabilitation Trainer he worked under Louann Rivett Physiotherapy and Overall Health Management Biokinetic Centre from 2000 – 2002 (Neck back and spine classes, neuromuscular disorders). From 2002 to 2005 he worked with Equilibrium Pilates Studio and Rivonia Sports Clinic. Ever since, he has specialized as a Physical Rehab Therapist working in South Africa and the UK. In 2013 he opened up CrossFit Plett and recently, Plett Sports Clinic, offering multi-disciplinary team service that includes Physiotherapy, Personal Training, Strength & Conditioning and physical remedial services.

  • 1996 – 2002 – Selected for South African National Taekwondo team, 1999, International Taekwondo Referee, 1999, Gold Medal winner, 7th All Africa Games Johannesburg
  • 1999 – Qualified for 2000 Sydney Olympics, Olympic trial, Johannesburg
  • 2000 – Selected for South African Olympic Team to Sydney 2000 Games
  • 2001 – Gold Medal Winner, 6th All Africa Taekwondo Championships, Dakar Senegal
  • 2001 – 3rd Place, Mens Health Man of the Year
  • 2001 – Taekwondo World Champs, Jeju South, Korea
  • 2002 – 5th Place quarterfinals, Taekwondo World Cup, Japan, Tokyo
  • 2003 May – Selected S.A. National team
  • 2003 – Accepted on NOCSA’s Operational Excellence program and Olympic squad towards Greece 2004 Olympics
  • 2003 – Accepted on S.A Sports Commission’s High Performance Program, towards All Africa Games and 2004 Greece Olympics
  • 2003 September – 5th Place, World Taekwondo Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
  • 2003, October – Gold Medal Winner, 8th All Africa Games, Abuja, Nigeria
  • 2003, December – World Olympic Taekwondo Qualification Tournament
  • 2004, January – African Olympic Taekwondo Qualification Tournament
  • 2005, February – Selected South African National Taekwondo team 2005
  • 1995 – Awarded 4 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze for inter club championships in Kyorugi (fighting, full contact) and Poomse (forms) divisions.
  • 1996 & 1997 – Gold, Heavy Weight, South African Championships.
  • 1997 – National Team for the World Cup in Cairo, Egypt.
  • Instructor for Close Quarter Combat, and Practical Street Defence and Weapons course, at Hwarang Won Tae Kwon Do Academy (South Korea)
  • 1998 – Gold, 4th All African Taekwondo Championships, Kenya
  • 1999 – Gold, African Olympic Qualification Tournament, +80kg
  • Gold, 7th All Africa Games in Johannesburg., Middleweight division
  • 2000 – Gold, (+84kg) South African national team selections.
  • Bronze, Korean, Chun Chon Open,
  • Gold, 6th All Africa Taekwondo Championships
  • 2002 – 5th place, Taekwondo World Cup Japan, Tokyo,.
  • 2003 – Gold, SA National Championships.
  • NOCSA’s Operational Excellence program and Olympic Squad towards Greece 2004 Olympics.
  • A Sports Commision’s High Performance Program, towards All Africa Games and 2004 Greece Olympics.
  • 5th Place, World Taekwondo Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
  • Gold, 8th All Africa Games, Abuja, Nigeria
  • World Olympic Taekwondo Qualification Tournament, Paris, France

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

The word of mouth

It doesn’t really matter what we say about it, the test of our service comes from the mouth of our clients.


Donald came to my rescue and, right from the start, guided me onto the path of a healthy lifestyle. His coaching not only led to me safely improving my physical fitness and strength, but his nutritional advice led to the weight coming off. There were no miracle potions or quick fixes, just trusting in the process and sticking with it. Soon the fitness and nutrition became a lifestyle, which I believe is key to long term success.  With the physical changes came an entirely new mental strength and confidence. This is something that I can never thank Donald and the Plett Sports Clinic team enough for.


YOLANDE STANDER
PLETT



Around 2004 I was in terrible pain with my back. I had prolapsed discs in L5 and L5 and had been advised to have an op. A friend of mine introduced me to Donald whom, apart from a few years in the UK, has looked after me ever since. I never had the op and I have played Polo and Golf ever since. Trust me he is the best.


MIKE GRIFFITH
JHB, PLETT



I’m not a gym person, but I decided to go to Plett Sports Clinic and see if they could help with my general fitness and specifically my hip problems. I met Donald and embarked on a course that has lasted a couple of years. I remember saying to Donald I don’t know much about muscles and the anatomy, his reply was “that was his job and not to worry’. Donald is a true professional and knows his job inside out. Being an SA Olympian, his whole life seems to be about fitness and more particularly, treating sports and general troubles that the body gets along the way.


RICHARD LANE
PLETT


+27 (0) 44 533 0155
0722649118
info@plettsportsclinic.com

Upper Level, The Market Square Shopping Centre, Beaconway, Plettenberg Bay

Plett Sports Clinic (PTY) Ltd.

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