We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services.
Des Ryan – Youth Athletic Development – Injury Rehab Network
The first Injury Rehab Network event in October 2024 with BASRaT featured a presentation from Des Ryan. The online event took place on the evening of Tuesday 8th October with 175 sports rehabilitation practitioners in attendance.
Des discussed examples of evidence-based Youth Athletic Development programmes. The recording is available to watch here.
Des Ryan, Director of Sport & Physical Wellbeing, University of Galway
Des Ryan is the Director of Sport & Physical Wellbeing at the University of Galway, where he leads the strategic development and management of the university’s sports programs and facilities. With a distinguished career in sports management and performance coaching, Des brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role.
Des joins the University of Galway from his position as Director of Coaching & Athletic Development at Setanta College and prior to that Des was the Head of Sport Medicine & Athletic Development at Arsenal Football Club Academy, which he held for 9 years and where he has re-shaped the concept of player development within the world of football. He has also previously served as Head of S&C at Connacht Rugby and as Fitness Education Manager within the IRFU, where he spent over 13 years developing the IRFU’s coach and player development system.
Over the years Des has presented at the UKSCA, ASCA and the NSCA conferences as well as many other conferences around the world. He also has worked as a consultant to World Rugby and the National Cricket academy in India.
Des has a Masters in Strength and Conditioning and is also an Accredited Strength and Conditioning coach with the UKSCA. He has achieved the High-Performance Sports Accreditation from the British Association of Sports and Exercise Science and is a chartered scientist.
As the Director of Sport, Des Ryan is instrumental in shaping the university’s sports landscape, overseeing the implementation of high-performance training programs, Sport for all programmes, and ensuring the provision of top-tier facilities for student-athletes. His passion for sports, coupled with his dedication to promoting physical activity and wellbeing, underscores his commitment to creating a dynamic and inclusive sports environment at the University of Galway. Des’ leadership and vision are integral to the university’s mission of supporting and empowering its sports community to achieve their full potential.
Youth Athletic Development
Des’s presentation considered examples of evidence-based Youth Athletic Development programmes. He shared examples from Arsenal Academy and also from his years of experience working in Youth Athletic Development, Supporting Girl and Boy players in the club, school and academy environments. Biological maturation was discussed, and how to use that information to reduce the risk of growth-related injuries. Des shared some excellent resources that are available to coaches in the community to support Youth Athletic Development.
High Performance Youth Sport
Des Described National Governing Bodies Focus on Youth Sport with pathways from a participation/ recreation level to sub academy centres, performance academies and high-performance academies. Des considered physical development of your athletes with late, on time and early developers.
Arsenal Academy
Des shared insights from his role at Arsenal Academy from 2012 – 2021.
Building a Sport Science and Medicine Team
Des discussed how he was fortunate to work as part of a great team at Arsenal including management, coaching and medical staff. Des’s aim was to reduce time lost due to injuries. The Sports Medicine and Athletic Development team included practitioners in strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, medicine, nutrition and personal development & psychology.
Des considered the importance of values and working with athletes to ensure they have a positive attitude to youth development and how it contributes to performance. Des showed videos of how players attitude and physical performance improved.
Values
Des described the Arsenal Academy vision to develop Strong Young Gunners through the mission of the most challenging and caring football academy in the world. Shared values of respect, discipline and humility are the foundation of the academy with a range of practitioners supporting the work of the coaching team. The aim is to create effective team players who are lifelong learners, efficient movers and have a champion mentality.
Philosophy
Des shared the Arsenal philosophy. At Arsenal the football philosophy is centred around players being able to express themselves, being technically able and composed on the ball, whilst demonstrating exciting combination play between players. This philosophy is lived and breathed across the club. In relation to physical development the philosophy is for physically able players with high-speed qualities, speed repeatability and excellent skills.
Vision, Mission & Pillars
Des described the importance of having a clear vision, mission and pillars. Des showed a video clip from an interview with Scott Robertson (New Zealand rugby union coach), who described vision as having clear sight/ aspiration with a picture of where you are trying to get to. Scott then considered mission as the detail of how you will get to where you want to go.
Des considered the pillars of the Arsenal vision:
- Effective team player: Influences the game, performs within the playing style, adapts to any football situation.
- Champion mentality: Driven to improve, challenge and win.
- Most efficient mover: Executes better football actions, maintains good football actions, maintains many football actions.
- Lifelong learner: Puts education first, commits to personal development, studies the game.
Des described development of the Elite Player Performance Plan at Arsenal together with facilities at the Arsenal training ground.
Physical Development Framework
Des described the IRFU Physical Development Framework and Functional Approach which is based on functional competence, movement skill, integrated conditioning, and recovery.
Des has also supported the development of long-term athletic development in Gaelic Games. The Gaelic Games approach to athletic development is based around force, game speed and endurance.
Des considered the Arsenal Academy approach to physical development of young players which focuses on functional competence, movement skills, integrated conditioning, planning and periodisation. The frequency and volume of athletic development sessions increases as players progress through the stages of the academy through to professional football.
Principles
Des discussed the importance of sticking to your principles. Principles at Arsenal include be mannerly, be objective and tell the truth. Des showed examples of the high-quality training undertaken by athletes in the gym and in sessions on the pitch. Des believes that if you praise youth they will flourish.
Growth and Maturation
Des discussed growth and maturation of young athletes and showed images of how players of the same age can vary is size and stages of growth.
Des has recently worked with Sean Cummings from the University of Bath to deliver a workshop with the Scottish FA about growth and maturation.
Des considered peak height velocity with peak growth in centimetres per year ranging from early (around age 12), on time (around age 14), and late (around age 16). Des looked at normal distribution in the general population where around 70% of young people experience peak growth on time with 15% late and 15% early. However, in an academy setting with male players there can be a bias with around 70% of players from the early growth group. Des described how it’s important to keep young people engaged in sport whether they grow early, late or on time.
Des discussed maturity timing and the point at which people reach 100% maturation. Physeal injuries in academy football peak at around U13/ U14 for both Sever’s disease and Osgood Schlatter’s disease. Des described how practitioners should consider growth and maturation and adjust training during peak growth periods to reduce the risk of injury.
Player Pathway
Des is part of a working group that has developed the Gaelic Games Player Pathway. The vision is to support healthy and holistic player development by facilitating players, coaches and parents to apply sports science in an integrated manner consistent with the values of the Gaelic Games.
The player pathway focuses on athletic development with support for nutrition, sport psychology, performance analysis, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and skill development. Modules and resources are available for coaches and players to access.
Mentors
The final recommendation from Des for practitioners is to work with mentors to continuously learn and gain feedback/ advice.
Resources
Des recommended some useful resources for practitioners:
Follow Des Ryan
Q&A
Des kindly answered questions put forward by practitioners who attended the session. Please see the presentation recording for the insights from Des to the questions.
Presentation Recording
The recording of Des’s presentation is available to watch here
2024 Injury Rehab Network events
Find out about and register your interest for all the Injury Rehab Network events with BASRaT planned for 2024
Please enter your details into the form below along with any questions or comments and a member of our team will be happy to provide you with more information:
Get in Touch
- Des Ryan – Youth Athletic Development – Injury Rehab Network
- Dr Carly McKay – Injury prevention in rugby and football: are we making any progress? – Injury Rehab Network
- Micki Cuppett – Clinical Pearls to Enhance Your Medical Examination Skills – Injury Rehab Network
- Dr. Ian Beasley – Ex-footballers Healthcare – Injury Rehab Network
- Siobhan O’Donovan — Busting Booby Traps — Injury Rehab Network
- Angela Jackson — Integrating Neurocognitive Rehab in to Return to Sport Protocols — Injury Rehab Network
- Dr Andrew Shafik — Working as a Doctor in English Football — Injury Rehab Network
- Dr Nicola Keay — Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) — Injury Rehab Network
- Ian Hunt – Modern Management of Chest, Rib and Sternal Injuries in the Elite Athlete – Injury Rehab Network
- Dr Amit Mistry – Mental Health Challenges in Elite Sport – Injury Rehab Network
- Head Injuries and Sport
- Gerard Greene – Male Athletic Pelvic Health – Injury Rehab Network
- Geraint Griffiths – The Prevention of and Rehabilitation from Visually Related Sporting Morbidity – Injury Rehab Network
- Professor David Lloyd – Surgery for Groin Pain – The Lloyd Release Procedure – Injury Rehab Network Event
- 2024 Injury Rehab Network Events
- Jonathan Bell FRCS (ORTH) – Meniscus Tears and other Complex Injuries of the Knee – Injury Rehab Network
- Professor Rowena Johnson – Imaging of Groin and Hip Pain in Athletes – Injury Rehab Network
- Prehab & Rehab in Elite/ Professional Football – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Steve Phillips – Calf Muscle Injuries – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Grant Downie OBE – Maximising your Impact in the VUCA World of Professional Football – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Manchester FA and Sterosport Partnership Aims for Manchester to be the Safest Place to Play
- Dr Marwan Al-Dawoud – Concussion in Rugby – Injury Rehab Network Event
- How to Strap Your Ankle
- John Dickinson – Optimising Care for Asthma and Disordered Breathing Patterns in Athletes – Injury Rehab Network Event
- How to Apply Sports Tape to Your Knee
- Dr Wayne Diesel – My Long Walk to Retirement – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Rugby Union and Rugby League Mandatory Medical Equipment : 2023 Update and What to Buy
- Leanne Simoncelli – Optimising and Individualising ACLR Rehabilitation – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Lessons from Working in Elite Football – Injury Rehab Network February 2023
- The Most Common Hockey Injuries and How to Prevent Them
- How to Treat Common Hockey Injuries
- Andy Williams – ACL Reconstruction in Professional Athletes – A Surgeon’s Perspective – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Steve Simbler MRPharm.S – Medicines Management in Sport – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Hockey and Ice Hockey Injury Statistics
- Essential Hockey Safety Equipment
- How to Perform a Risk Assessment for Sports: The Ultimate Guide (Including Examples and Template)
- How to Treat Common Cycling Injuries
- Preventing Common Cycling Injuries
- Professor Iain Hutchison – Sporting Facial Injuries and Treatment Delivering Speedy Recovery – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Hockey First Aid Kit Contents List
- Hockey First Aid Kits
- How to Treat Common Netball Injuries
- Gary Bloom – Why do Players Suddenly Experience a Catastrophic Loss of Form – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Dr Monna Arvinen-Barrow – Rehabilitation of the Biopsychosocial Athlete – Injury Rehab Network Event
- How Can Common Netball Injuries be Prevented?
- First Aid Qualifications for Netball
- Netball First Aid Kits
- Netball First Aid Kit Contents List
- 2023 Injury Rehab Network Events
- Essential Safety Equipment for Cricketers
- Fiona Rosamond – Podiatry in Football – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Essential First Aid Skills for Cricket Coaches
- Common Cricket Injuries and How to Avoid Them
- Dr Carl Todd – Osteopathy in Football – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Dr Andrew Newton – Grass Roots Paediatric Sports Medical Issues – Injury Rehab Network
- Tom Parry – Nutrition in Premier League Football – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Cricket First Aid Kit Contents List
- A Guide to Cricket First Aid Kits
- Treatment and Prevention of Cauliflower Ear
- How to Treat Common Rugby Injuries
- Rugby First Aid Courses: Everything you Need to Know
- The Definitive Rugby First Aid Kit Contents List
- Taping Your Wrists for Football: Why and How
- Effective Prevention of Injuries in Football
- How to Treat Common Football Injuries
- Rugby First Aid Kits: Complete Guidance for Rugby Union and Rugby League
- Knee Injuries in Professional Football and Elite Sport – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Steve Kemp – Lateral Ankle Injuries in Professional Football – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Michael Blackie BDS – Oral Health Impact on Performance in Elite Sport
- The Best Football First Aid Courses Recommended by Experts – Courses your coaches should be taking and why
- Football First Aid Kit Contents List – What should yours contain to keep your football players safe?
- Boxing First Aid Kit Contents List
- Preventing and Treating Shin Splints
- 8 Essential Safety Tips for Boxing
- How to Apply Boxing Hand and Wrist Wraps
- Essential Boxing Safety Equipment
- How to Spot and Treat an ACL Tear
- How to Treat a Pulled Hamstring
- How to Treat a Groin Strain
- How to Treat a Sprained Ankle
- Essential Parts of Any Sports First Aid Kit
- Recommended First Aid Courses for Sport
- Essential First Aid Skills for Cyclists
- Cycling First Aid Kit Contents List
- Cycling First Aid Kits – A Complete Guide
- Mike Healy – Pitchside Care CPD – Injury Rehab Network Event
- David Fevre – Pitch Side Injuries: No Time to be Injured – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Diane Ryding – Physiotherapy in an Elite Football Academy: Beyond injuries – Injury Rehab Network Event
- The Strain of Christmas – A Busy Time for Physio’s
- Dr Imtiaz Ahmad: Football Club Doctor – An Evolving Role – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Diane Ryding & David Fevre at the Injury Rehab Network
- GB Maxibasketball and Sterosport Partnership Announcement
- Sterosport and FMPA Partnership Announcement
- 2022 Injury Rehab Network Events
- Dr Ian Horsley, Team GB Deputy Chief Physio, at the Injury Rehab Network
- Sign Up: Sports Taping and Kinesiology Taping Online Courses
- Dr Barry Monk – Sunshine and Skin Cancer – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Steve Miller – Calf Injury Rehabilitation – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Angela Jackson – Managing The Overloaded Younger Athlete – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Shoulder Injuries in Sport – Expert Q&A Injury Rehab Network Event
- Professor Bill Ribbans – The Athletic Ankle. When do Lax Ligaments Need Surgery? – Injury Rehab Network
- Diane Ryding – Tackling Paediatric Injuries – Injury Rehab Network
- What are the most common sports injuries? Top Ten (Part 2)
- What are the most common sports injuries? Top Ten (Part 1)
- The Athletes Shoulder – The Surgeons Perspective – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Dr Claire Minshull – Getting Efficacious About Rehab and Conditioning – Injury Rehab Network Event
- How to Conduct a Risk Assessment for the Return to Sport
- Return to sport: A complete guide on what to expect
- Types of Sports Tape and their Uses
- Gary Lewin, Expert Football Physiotherapist – Rehabilitation on the Road in Elite Sport – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Josh Quigley at the Injury Rehab Network
- 2021 Injury Rehab Network Events
- The Importance of the Partnership Between a Manager and a Physio
- Paul Lubas – The Pitch-Side Paramedic
- Returning to Work as a Sports Therapist After Coronavirus
- Hyde United FC and Sterosport Partnership Announcement
- Chorley FC and Sterosport Partnership Announcement
- British American Football and Sterosport Partnership Announcement
- Dave Fevre – Expert Chartered Sports Physiotherapist – Injury Rehab Network Event
- Does Kinesiology Tape Work?
- Here To Help When You Return To Sport
- Mike James at the Injury Rehab Network
- Hannah Dines Shares Details About Her Paralympic Cycling Programme
- Hannah Dines – Hills Thrills and No Chills on the Road to Tokyo 2020
- Dave Fevre at the Injury Rehab Network
- Hannah Dines – When an Athlete Switches Off
- Hannah Dines – Life Balance – How Friends Are Key to Elite Success
- University of Salford Sports Taping Courses
- Hannah Dines – Love Island, Laundry, Admin and Repeat – A Day in the Life of a Paralympian
- Injured? Here’s How Nutrition Can Help
- Sterosport – A New Approach to Sports Injuries
- Hannah Dines – Terminating Injury
- Injury Rehab Network NW Gets off to a Flying Start