Ulster GAA recently teamed up with health partner, the Ulster Independent Clinic, at the Tyrone GAA Centre in Garvaghey, to provide our Provincial Referees Panel with comprehensive health checks for the season ahead.

The medical checks offered our football and hurling referees a valuable indication of their current health and provided information on how to maintain fitness and well-being, taking into account factors such as diet, exercise and hereditary health conditions

The team from the Ulster Independent Clinic provided electrocardiogram (ECG) tests, which were then read by a consultant, to screen for certain heart conditions, including abnormal heart rhythms and coronary heart disease.

Testing was also conducted for other, key health indicators such as BMI, blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

In addition, Cancer Focus NI's Keeping Well team were also present to provide the referees with skin cancer prevention support as part of their ‘Care in the Sun’ programme.

A skin scanner was available to detect sun-damage to skin and gives insights into the risk of developing skin cancers in the future. Care in the Sun packs were also made available to all those attending.

Highlighting the benefits of the event, Ulster GAA President Michael Geoghegan commented: "Our games often focus on our players, but just as they require high levels of fitness and performance, so do our referees. The health and well-being of our match officials is essential, and we’re proud to support this important area.

“This initiative provides our Provincial panel of referees, from all nine counties, with the opportunity to receive a thorough health check at no cost to them.

“Ulster GAA is proud to be the only province to offer this service to our match officials and are delighted to have the Ulster Independent Clinic and Cancer Focus NI conducting these crucial tests at the start of our busy season."

Tweet

Most Read Stories