With Rugby becoming a national obsession thanks to the World Cup in recent weeks, the Midlands Science Festival is proud to present “The Science of the Scrum,” an exciting event featuring Irish flyhalf Jack Carty and former Irish International Rosie Foley. This one-of-a-kind event exploring the science of rugby will take place on the evening of November 7th at the Buccaneers Rugby Club in Athlone. Led by leading science communicator Dr. Craig Slattery of UCD, this event will open your eyes to the wonders of science which lie behind a game of rugby.
From fitness to physics, discover how science is transforming the sport in everything from greater safety to improved performance. For instance, the use of GPS technology on the pitch provides players with invaluable performance analysis which previous generations could only have dreamed of. Data generated by companies such as Statsports offers a comprehensive understanding of each player’s strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities. By harnessing the power of science, players can reach unprecedented levels of performance. Consider for a moment that the roll of an F16 fighter jet is equivalent to 9gs of force. Some players on the Irish team will give or take tackles registering between 10 and 20gs in any given match.
The science behind rugby extends far beyond performance analysis. On the rugby pitch, mathematics, physics, and fitness interplay to create a dynamic game. Join Midlands Science in Buccaneers Rugby Club, the home of rugby in Athlone, and embark on an exciting journey of discovery with Jack Carty and Rosie Foley. “The Science of the Scrum” event will be held on November 7th, and attendance is free. However, due to limited availability, people are encouraged to reserve their spots in advance. Booking details can be found on the website, www.midlandsscience.ie, and the Eventbrite page for Midlands Science.
This event is part of the Midlands Science Festival and is supported by Science Foundation Ireland as part of national Science Week. Taking place from 12th-19th November, the theme for Science Week 2023 is ‘Human?’, which asks people to consider what it means to be human in today’s world, and how the decisions we make today will impact the people and world of the future.
According to Pauline Nally of Midlands Science, “Learning more about the science of rugby from two amazing players, Jack Carty and Rosie Foley, will bring a whole new sense of appreciation for the game and its players to all who attend. In everything from making the game safer to improving performance, science now plays a key role in rugby, and this event is a must-attend for all rugby fans this year as part of Science Week activities in the Midlands.”
About Midlands Science and National Science Week
Midlands Science is a science outreach organisation which promotes science year-round across the midlands counties of Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath. Through various programmes in schools and other settings, Midlands Science aims to foster a greater interest in and appreciation for science. The organization also manages the Midlands Science Festival as part of National Science Week and receives support for this work from Science Foundation Ireland.
ScienceWeek.ie is a week-long event in Ireland each November, celebrating science in our everyday lives. Science Week includes a wide variety of events involving industry, colleges, schools, libraries, teachers, researchers and students throughout Ireland. Science Week has a number of regional festivals and events offering a range of opportunities for the public to engage with STEM in across Ireland.
