Adam Grainger

Background

About Adam Grainger

Dr Adam Grainger is a PhD graduate and accredited S&C coach, with extensive experience in elite applied sports science. Originally from Holywood, Co. Down, Adam left Ireland in to complete a year teaching in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, before completing his BSc (Hons) and Masters in Sports Science at Brunel University London. After graduation Adam worked in English Premiership Rugby for twelve years (Saracens, London Wasps and Sale Sharks) across a variety of sports science disciplines. Having helped London Wasps win the English Premiership league title in 2008, Adam moved to Sale Sharks, progressing to the Head of Performance role. Upon returning to Ireland in November 2016, Adam began working at University College Dublin as the Head S&C Coach within their Ad Astra scholarship programme. In this role, he coached elite athlete scholars, many of whom are current Olympians and elite team sport athletes. Alongside applied sports science roles, Adam has led Performance Analysis in Sport, Strength and Conditioning and Coaching Science modules for both undergraduate and postgraduate students at Kingston University and University College Dublin. In December 2017, Adam was appointed Performance Director for Hockey Ireland. This role involved the implementation of a high performance plan that ensures the continued development of the Ireland senior teams (men's and women's) and prepares junior players to impact at senior level (Olympics and World Cups). Liaising with Irish sport governing bodies regards both funding and player provision, while leading on all high performance matters, Adam aims to maximise the undoubted potential of hockey in Ireland. In February 2022, Adam joined Kitman Labs as Senior Performance Strategist to work specifically with their National Governing Body and League sporting clients. Promoted to Performance Solutions Expert in March 2023, Adam currently combines this Kitman Labs role with applied Academy S&C coaching involvement at Ulster Rugby. Alongside his current employment, Adam is a regular contributor at sport science conferences and in October 2016 was appointed Chair of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science Sport and Performance Division (a role he performed for four years. Adam currently sits on the BASES Conference Planning Group and is a BASES Fellow and High Performance Sport Accredited Practitioner and is an NSCA accredited strength and conditioning coach.”