Strong Turnout For S&C Conference

Munster Rugby hosted a one-day Strength & Conditioning Conference in association with the Mardyke Arena, University College Cork, with over 100 delegates in attendance on Saturday.

The conference attracted coaches involved in Strength and Conditioning across all sports codes from underage to senior level.

The conference highlighted the significance of strength and conditioning at all levels of rugby focusing on how coaches can cope with the demands of their players.

Munster Rugby professional staff members presented topics that included:

• Strength and Speed training at Munster Rugby – an Integrated Model

• Conditioning at Munster Rugby

• The Technical Side of Speed

• Training the Age Grade Player

The day commenced with a welcome and introduction message from both Patsy Ryan, GM Mardyke Arena and Garrett Fitzgerald, CEO Munster Rugby.

The first Keynote was delivered by Munster Strength and Rehab Coach Aled Walters on Planning, and in particular he focused on the pre and in-season organisation and planning methodologies used by Munster Rugby.

Four breakout sessions followed this with the above topics identified and presented by Joe McGinley, PJ Wilson, Cedric Unholz and Feargal O'Callaghan respectively.

Professional player James Coughlan was on hand to discuss his perspective on Strength and Conditioning and he focused on a typical working week for the professional player.

Munster S&C coach Aidan O'Connell delivered the second key note on the area of Readiness to Train and was followed by Gareth Nicholas, expert in nutrition, from the event sponsor Maxinutrition.

The second breakout session again offered the delegates an opportunity to attend a different topic to the morning session. This was followed by Munster Rugby's new head of fitness, Adam Trypas, concluding the seminar with his perspective on both Strength and Conditioning and Munster Rugby going forward.

Mardyke Arena Marketing Manager, Wayne Falvey, and Munster's Rugby Development manager, Ultan O'Callaghan closed the conference with thanks and acknowledgement to all speakers and attendees of the conference.

Many of those in attendance took to Twitter afterwards to show their appreciation for the insight provided and the knowledge gained from a very successful event.

Munster Rugby would like to thank the Mardyke Arena for profiling and facilitating the conference.