The highly anticipated Conference took place on November 17th at the prestigious Law Society House, for the 11th consecutive year. This annual event by the Northern Ireland Sports Forum and it’s partnership with the Law Society brought together a diverse group of 120 delegates from the legal profession and sports sector.
The co-founder and chair of the conference, Keith McGarry, renowned for his expertise in sports law, skillfully guided the conference as the master of ceremonies. His wealth of knowledge and experience ensured a seamless and engaging flow throughout the event.
As is tradition, retired District Judge, Ken Nixon opened the conference and said “the continued success of the Sports Law Conference is thanks to the expert speakers delivering on key topics and issues that affect sport. Thank you to Keith McGarry for his continued support in leading proceedings and to all the speakers who deliver valuable insights”.
The conference provided a unique platform for attendees to gain valuable insights from a distinguished lineup of speakers representing various domains within the sporting world. Legal experts, medical professionals, and sports administrators shared their expertise and engaged in thought-provoking discussions on crucial topics such as legislation, insurance, and the profound impact they have on the sports landscape in Northern Ireland.
Richard Honeyford, Executive Manager at the NI Sports Forum stated “we really welcomed having such a great line up of speakers from across the whole of the sports sector delivering education around insurance, legislation and guidance that has been impacting the sporting sector over the past year. There has been a great deal of change for sports, including increasing insurance demands, developments in concussion guidance and women’s sport that professionals need to keep up to date on”
The Sports Law Conference serves as a valuable opportunity for legal and sports professionals to network, exchange ideas, and stay abreast of the latest developments in the field. The event fostered an environment of collaboration and learning, enabling participants to gain a deeper understanding of the legal and regulatory aspects that shape the sports industry in Northern Ireland.
Brian Archer, the President of the Law Society, concluded the conference and made reference to its ongoing success and referencing the eyes on the horizon to the 12th Conference next year.
Planning is already in place for the 2024 conference with details to be confirmed in the near future.