The IRFU Sports Medicine Conference and Satellite Events were held from May 17th-19th, 2012 in the AVIVA Stadium. This conference brought together leading International and National experts in Sports and Exercise Medicine over the course of six events with 350 delegates from multidisciplinary backgrounds. The following events were organised over the course of the three days:

Thursday, 17th May

10.00-13.00 Game Base Training for Team Sports Course A

14.00-17.00 Game Base Training for Team Sports Course B

14.00-17.00 Exercise Promotion: Return to Work, Return to Play

Friday, 18th May

11.30-12.30 Dietary Strategies to Attenuate Muscle Loss During Recovery from Injury

09.00-18.00 IRFU Sports Medicine Conference: Injury Prevention in Rugby Union

Saturday 19th May

09.00-17.00 Understanding Prevention and Rehabilitation of ACL Injuries in Athletes: From Poor Neuromuscular Control to Optimal Return to Sport The above events were composed of lecture and practical based workshops designed around strategies to prevent injury and enhance recovery/performance. The multi-disciplinary approach and attendance at the event provided an excellent platform for discussion and debate amongst delegates. The final event on Friday 18th May was an expert forum on injury prevention and included Mr. Declan Kidney (IRFU Senior Team Head Coach), Mr. Alain Rolland (IRFU Referee), Dr. Martin Raftery (IRB Chief Medical Officer), Dr. John Brooks (RFU) and Mr. David Wallace (former Munster, Ireland and Lions). 97.5% of delegates indicated that they would attend a similar conference next year. Following the success of these events, the IRFU Sports Medicine conference will be held again in April, 2014. The IRFU Medical Department will hold a number of other events including SAFE-Rugby and physiotherapy based courses in 2012-13.