I.R.F.U. / UlsterRugby
Open Fitness Seminar
The I.R.F.U. and Ulster Rugby are delighted to announce that the second annual fitness seminar will be held in Ravenhill on the 21st of March. This workshop will be aimed at rugby coaches working at all levels but is open to coaches from all sports. The seminar will be held in the new stand at Ravenhill home of Ulster rugby. Last year’s seminar was very successful and was attended by over 90 coaches. This year more presenters and different topics have been added to the lineup. The topics that will be covered are as follows –
Topic 1 – How to Develop Speed in our players.
Presenter – Des Ryan (IRFU Fitness Education Manager)
Topic 2 – Practical planning & periodisation for the club and school coaches.
Presenter – Matthew Maguire (UlsterRugby N.T.P. Fitness Coach)
Topic 3 - UlsterRugbyAcademy - Strategies used to physically develop rugby union players.
Presenter – David Drake (UlsterRugbyAcademy Fitness Coach)
The seminar will be both theory and practical based using some of the young players from Ulster Rugby as subjects and anyone who is willing to give it a go. The seminar will be of great use to coaches who would like to know, what is the most appropriate and practical method to develop their players. Also the seminar is ideal for coaches who would like to introduce something new and challenging to their training. The seminar is open to any coaches especially from Ulster and the sounding Area. Similar workshops have been run and will be run in the Connacht, Leinster and Ulster Areas.Information on these workshops and others during the year will be found on as soon as details are available.
The Details for the workshop are as follows –
Date – 21st March 2011
Time – 7.30 to 9.30
Venue – Ravenhill Rugby Grounds
Cost -£10 sterling
Registration -Places are limited and coaches must register by 14th February. Please call Julie Dorman 02890 493111 ext 239 or email: once registered coaches will receive information and a timetable one week before the course.
Des Ryan presenting at last years seminar
Presenters –
Des Ryan (IRFU Fitness Education Manager)
Des Ryan is the fitness education manager for the I.R.F.U. Part of his role is to run the I.R.F.U. certified conditioning coach course and other fitness education courses. Des also manages the continued professional development programme for IRFU Fitness Coaches. His role includes managing the fitness development structures for rugby players Under 19 years of age and below. Part of his role includes managing the fitness staff with the age grade international teams, Ireland women’s, club and A team. Before Des started his position with the IRFU he worked for Connacht rugby for 10 years, working as the head fitness advisor for the Connacht Rugby Senior team from 2000 to 2008. During this time Des has worked with the Ireland A rugby team for 3 years and assisted with the Ireland senior team. Des has presented at many conferences over the past few years in Ireland and abroad including conferences run by the International Rugby Board and the GAA’s national coaching development conference.
Matthew Maguire (UlsterRugby N.T.P. Fitness Coach)
Matt Maguire is the Ulster Rugby Sub Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach. Since graduating with a degree in Sports Science Matt spent 2 years playing and working within rugby in New Zealand. Upon returning, Matt got involved working with the U16 & U17 Ulster Regional Development squad’s as a voluntary fitness coach. Following this he undertook an Internship with Ulster Rugby and eventually moved to a full time role within the SubAcademy in August 2010. Matt is IRFU Certified Conditioning Coach, I.A.WL.A Level 1 coach, as well as an IRB Strength & Conditioning Educator.
His daily role sees him working with the SubAcademy players (aged 15-19) educating and developing areas such as; speed, strength and fitness. His responsibilities also include co-ordinating the Strength and Conditioning Programme for the Regional Development Squad and the Ulster Ravens.
David Drake (UlsterRugbyAcademy Fitness Coach)
David Drake is the strength & conditioning coach for the UlsterRugbyAcademy, working closely with the aspiring professional players and with underage players that are playing provincial and International rugby. David’s role involves the physical development of academy players, preparing them to excel in the professional game.
David holds a 1st Class Honours Degree in Sport & Exercise Science; he is a UKSCA Level 3 Accredited S&C Coach; ASCA level 1 S&C Coach; IRFU Certified Conditioning Coach and an IRB S&C Educator. David also holds an ISAK Level 1 award in Anthropometry and is an Accredited Level 1 Rugby Coach.
Previously David has worked at Sports Institute Northern Ireland delivering strength & conditioning services toNorthern Ireland’s top athletes in their preparation for European, World, Commonwealth & Olympic events. David has experience working within a range of sports at regional & national level including Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Golf, Hockey, & Skiing. He has also worked in the past within rugby as strength & conditioning coach at both school and club level.
Kevin Geary presenting at last year’s seminar