Two dynamic days of discussion, activity and learning unfolded this week as sports leaders, practitioners and advocates came together for the Sport Ireland Development Conference focused on inclusion, innovation and wellbeing across Irish sport.

From keynote inspiration to practical workshops, the event brought together diverse voices from across the sector to explore the future of participation and impact.

The day began with a keynote session from best-selling author, comedian and mindfulness expert Dermot Whelan. In a talk titled “The Surprising Secrets to Becoming Your Best”, Whelan shared practical insights on managing stress, improving focus and finding personal flow. Mixing humour with science, he encouraged attendees to escape the “busy trap” and invest in the mental habits that support performance and wellbeing.

Following the opening session, attendees took part in a two-hour Game Zone networking activity. Designed as an inclusive and interactive experience, participants rotated through sports including wheelchair basketball, badminton and a blindfolded obstacle course. The session provided a physical and social counterpoint to the day’s learning, underscoring the importance of accessibility and fun in sport.

After lunch, Declan McGinley of R and A delivered a session titled “Going Viral?” examining the unpredictable nature of the digital landscape and how sporting organisations can adapt their strategies to engage audiences in a fast-changing environment. Emphasising authenticity and creativity, McGinley urged participants to think beyond the metrics and prioritise meaningful storytelling.

A trio of concurrent breakout sessions followed. In “Making Friends in Europe”, Léargas and Badminton Ireland shared insights from a cross-border Erasmus+ coaching development project. “Design Thinking in Sport” offered a hands-on look at co-creation tools being used in the Sport4Empowerment programme, while “Picture This” with Caroline Keane gave a beginner’s guide to capturing powerful stories through smartphone photography.

One of the day’s most powerful sessions came on the main stage with “Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Sport”. Led by Geraldine McTavish and Dr Eric Lacey, the panel explored how inclusive thinking can transform programme design from the outset, supported by lived experience from high-performance athletes, community coaches and parents of children with disabilities.

Read our Interview with Dr Eric Lacey here.

In the final round of breakout sessions, Ciara Munnelly led a workshop on outdoor sport and sustainability, drawing on European collaborations like the SEE project. Simultaneously, Professor Sharon Madigan delivered “From Podium to Community”, a session connecting elite athlete support systems with the grassroots, focusing on wellbeing, nutrition and the unique challenges faced by female athletes.

Artist Gary Dempsey was on hand throughout the day to capture key themes and reflections through live illustration, visually documenting the energy and ideas generated across sessions, his output from Day One can be seen above with more to follow next week from the second day.

 

 

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SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

This really was an eye opener of a day.  So many learning that if those present only executed ten per cent of what was put before them, it could transform the impact they can have.

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