From UL to London GAA: Zac McKeon’s Co-op Experience

By Zac McKeon

For fourth-year BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences student Zac McKeon, Co-op provided the opportunity to take his studies beyond the classroom and gain practical experience in the sports industry.

Zac completed his placement with London GAA in London, UK, where he worked with the London GAA Strength & Conditioning team, Arete, while also gaining experience providing pitch-side first aid with GAA teams, particularly Tara GFC.

Gaining experience in Strength & Conditioning

A major part of Zac’s placement involved working alongside the London GAA Strength & Conditioning team. He assisted with gym sessions and gained an insight into how strength and conditioning programmes are planned and delivered to GAA athletes.

“Being involved in gym sessions and seeing how different exercises are used to develop strength, power and injury prevention was very valuable.”

The experience gave Zac the opportunity to see how concepts from his Sport and Exercise Sciences degree are applied in a real sporting environment, while learning from experienced S&C coaches and athletes.

Putting first aid into practice

Alongside his S&C experience, Zac worked as a pitch-side first aider with Tara GFC, supporting training sessions and games.

This provided an opportunity to put his first aid training into practice and develop his confidence in dealing with injuries within a sporting environment.

Working alongside S&C coaches, physios and athletes also helped Zac develop his communication and teamwork skills, while building his practical knowledge of strength and conditioning, injury prevention and pitch-side first aid.

From the classroom to the sporting environment

Zac found that many areas of his degree directly supported his placement experience.

“My degree has given me a strong understanding of areas such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, strength and conditioning and injury mechanisms.”

Having this foundation helped Zac understand why particular exercises and training methods were being used and allowed him to connect the theory covered throughout his degree with practical work.

A new environment and a new level of independence

Moving to London and adapting to a new professional environment was one of the challenges Zac faced during his placement.

Working with people he had not met before required him to step outside his comfort zone and become more independent. Zac overcame this by being willing to learn, asking questions and getting involved wherever possible.

The experience also gave him the opportunity to meet new people and experience living and working in another city while developing professionally.

Shaping future career plans

Before starting his Co-op, Zac was already interested in pursuing a career in physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation. His experience in London has reinforced this ambition and increased his interest in working with athletes in the future, particularly within sports physiotherapy.

“Being able to work with athletes and learn from experienced S&C coaches and physios has given me a much better understanding of what working in sport could be like after college.”

For Zac, the most rewarding part of the placement was gaining practical experience in an area he is interested in pursuing as a career.

Making the most of Co-op

Zac’s advice to students preparing for their own Co-op is to get involved and make the most of every opportunity.

“You’ll learn much more by getting involved and asking questions rather than just observing.”

He also recommends choosing a placement that provides experience in an area you are genuinely interested in pursuing after graduation.

Overall, Zac describes Co-op as one of the most valuable parts of his degree so far, giving him the opportunity to live and work in London, gain practical experience in the sports industry, develop new skills and gain a clearer understanding of the career path he wants to follow after graduating.