PESS

🌍 New PESS Blog | Learning Beyond Borders

How can international experiences shape the next generation of physical education teachers?

In our latest PESS Blog, Rebecca Keating and Maeve Molloy share their reflections from an unforgettable week in Murcia, Spain, as part of an international Models-Based Practice programme.

Working alongside students and staff from the University of Limerick, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH) and Universidad de Murcia, they gained hands-on teaching experience, explored innovative pedagogical approaches, embraced a new culture, and built lasting international connections.

Their experience highlights the value of collaborative learning and the opportunities that international mobility can offer future educators.

Read their full story on the PESS Blog- Link in Bio

Registration is now open for the PAfH Summer Research School 2026! 🎉

Join us at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS), University of Limerick, on 26–27 August 2026 for two days of interactive learning, expert-led workshops, and valuable networking opportunities with leading researchers in physical activity and health.

Whether you're a student, researcher, practitioner or policymaker, this is an excellent opportunity to develop your research skills, explore the latest advances in physical activity measurement, intervention design and AI in research, and connect with colleagues from across the sector.

📍 PESS, University of Limerick
📅 26–27 August 2026

🔗 Register now: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/physical-activity-for-health-pafhresearch-school-26-27-august-tickets-1989818454562

For more information, contact:
📧 Justyna Lis – [email protected]
📧 Catherine Woods – [email protected]

Places are limited, so be sure to register early!

💡 What happens when two Sport & Exercise Sciences students turn an idea into a business?

Meet Colm Lenihan and Andrew Lyons, the founders of Pop Up Fitness. During their Co-op placements, they identified an opportunity to make fitness more accessible by creating a portable fitness service that can bring classes, bootcamps, corporate sessions, and events to almost any location.

In our latest PESS Blog, Colm and Andrew share how their studies at UL helped shape the business, the lessons they've learned as student entrepreneurs, and why they believe taking the leap is always worth it.

📖 Read their story:
https://pess.blog/2026/06/21/making-fitness-accessible-how-two-pess-students-turned-an-idea-into-a-business/

Follow the Pop Up Fitness journey:
https://www.instagram.com/popupfitness_/

Interested in studying Sport & Exercise Sciences at UL?
https://www.ul.ie/courses/bachelor-science-sport-and-exercise-sciences

Making Fitness Accessible: How Two PESS Students Turned an Idea into a Business

Colm Lenihan and Andrew Lyons, BSc Sport & Exercise Sciences What started as a conversation between two friends has grown into a business with a simple mission: to make fitness accessible. Third-year Sport & Exercise Sciences students Colm Lenihan and Andrew Lyons launched Pop Up Fitness during their COOP work placements after identifying an opportunity to create something different within the health and fitness industry....

Making Fitness Accessible: How Two PESS Students Turned an Idea into a Business Colm Lenihan and Andrew Lyons, BSc Sport & Exercise Sciences What started as a conversation between two friends has grown into a business with a simple mission: to make fitness accessible. Thir…

⏳ Only 10 days left to apply for the MSc Applied Sports Coaching at the University of Limerick!

Designed for coaches who want to develop their practice while continuing to work, this flexible programme layers online learning over your real-world coaching environment, allowing you to immediately apply new knowledge with the athletes you support.

🏅 Practice-led learning

📚 Industry-informed teaching

⚽ Real-world coaching focus

🚀 Build professional expertise

🤝 Join a vibrant coaching community

Applications for the September 2026 intake close on 30 June.

🔗 Learn more and apply: https://www.ul.ie/gps/courses/applied-sports-coaching-msc

📖 Discover what studying Applied Sports Coaching at UL is really like on the PESS Blog:

Link in Bio

PUBLICATION: Game-Based Approaches in Football Academy Coaching: Designing Environments for Decision-Making, Skill, and Understanding

New publication from Sport & Human Performance Research Centre members Paul Kinnerk and Phil Kearney, in collaboration with Carmen Barquero-Ruiz (Universidad de Murcia) and Alex Inglethorpe (Academy Director, Liverpool Football Club): Game-Based Approaches in Football Academy Coaching: Designing Environments for Decision-Making, Skill, and Understanding. The chapter argues that GBAs offer a coherent, player-centred way to develop footballers who are skilful, adaptable, and tactically intelligent....

PUBLICATION: Game-Based Approaches in Football Academy Coaching: Designing Environments for Decision-Making, Skill, and Understanding New publication from Sport & Human Performance Research Centre members Paul Kinnerk and Phil Kearney, in collaboration with Carmen Barquero-Ruiz (Universidad de Murcia) and Alex Ingle…

🏃‍♀️🏋️ Are you a trained HYROX athlete?

Researchers from the University of Limerick and the University of Deusto are recruiting participants for a study investigating the physiological determinants of HYROX race performance.

Participants will receive:
✅ Free state-of-the-art performance testing
✅ VO₂max and running economy analysis
✅ Max strength and power assessments
✅ A comprehensive individual performance report

If you've achieved an official HYROX race time within **20% of your age-group world record** in the last two years, scan the QR code to check your eligibility and register your interest.

📍 Testing will take place in the PESS Laboratories at the University of Limerick between 24 June – 4 July and 13–15 July

We'd love to hear from eligible athletes!

Are you looking to develop your coaching practice? 🎯

On the MSc Applied Sports Coaching programme at the University of Limerick, students are encouraged to think differently about coaching challenges through innovative, evidence-informed approaches.

In our latest PESS Blog, Dr Phil Kearney explores how **Design Thinking** is used within the programme to enhance mentoring, helping coaches develop creative solutions, strengthen reflective practice, and build meaningful mentoring relationships.

📖 Read the blog Link in Bio:
https://pess.blog/2026/06/17/using-design-thinking-to-enhance-mentoring-on-the-msc-applied-sports-coaching-dr-phil-kearney/

Interested in taking your coaching to the next level?

🔗 Learn more about the MSc Applied Sports Coaching programme:
https://www.ul.ie/gps/course/applied-sports-coaching-msc

🌍 International collaboration, shared learning, and unforgettable experiences.

Recently, students and staff from the University of Limerick's Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences joined colleagues from the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and the Universidad de Murcia for the Blended Intensive Programme in Murcia, Spain.

The programme brought together future physical education teachers from across Europe to learn, teach, and collaborate in an international setting. Through practical activities, school-based experiences, and shared reflection, participants developed valuable professional skills while building lasting connections across cultures and countries.

A huge thank you to the organisers, partner institutions, and all students who contributed so positively throughout the week. Opportunities like these highlight the power of international education in preparing the next generation of educators and leaders.