The GPA Player Safety and Welfare Committee are hosting a one day player welfare conference – “Balance 2020” on Saturday November 23rd, in Croke Park.

Year on Year, the commitment and training levels of GAA players have continually increased to a point where players are well recognised to be training at an elite professional standard despite their amateur status. Findings from the recent ESRI report have highlighted growing physical and psychological demands on inter county players with ongoing concerns with the overall programme of club and county fixtures.

As the demands of the inter county game continue to grow, it is important that players have exposure to expertise and elite standards of care throughout our games at inter county level.

Strength and Conditioning coaches, sports scientists, and medical staff play a pivotal role in ensuring players are at optimum performance levels throughout the year.

Therefore, it is imperative that these professionals, not only are qualified and educated to the appropriate standards, but are continually striving to increase their knowledge and expertise, ensuring they can apply their training and treatment in a safe and effective manner. They have a responsibility to ensure that the players welfare is a constant focus and the foundation for the way in which they implement their roles.

The primary goal of the GPA “Balance 2020” Conference is to bring together multidisciplinary sporting professionals within the GAA to discuss emerging paradigms and elite best practice techniques at the forefront of strength, conditioning and sports medicine.

Target Outcomes

• Promote the sharing of knowledge and information between S&C, sports science and sports medicine practitioners within the GAA.
• Establish a supportive network of like-minded professionals that will drive the standards of S&C, sports science and sports medicine within the GAA.
• Encourage the collective resolution of ongoing issues related to GAA athlete performance and welfare.
• Provide practical education on existing player welfare policies and systems in currently in place for inter county players.
• Assist in reducing improper training techniques or regimes that may negatively affect a players physical and mental wellbeing.

This event is being hosted by the GPA’s Player Safety and Welfare Committee 

• Dr. Jim O’Donovan – (Chairman) Sports and Exercise Medicine Consultant
• Dr. Ciaran McDonald – Doctor
• Cathal Cregg – Head Strength and Conditioning Officer for Connacht GAA
• Enda King – Head of Rehabillitation Sports Surgery Clinic
• James Sherry – Physiotherapist
• David Breen – First team Physiotherapist Wasps Rugby
• Dr. Brendan Egan – Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Physiology DCU
• Walter Palmer – Former General Secretary EU Athletes

To learn more info on the event contact support@gaelicplayers.com