Former professional tennis player and author Conor Niland joins Exchange
16th April 2026, 18:27p.m. | Exchange
We are proud to announce that former professional tennis player and author of multi-award winning book 'The Racket' Conor Niland will be joining us as a keynote speaker at the 2026 Gymnastics Ireland Exchange at the Carlton Hotel Blanchardstown, on Friday 8th May.
About the Speaker
Conor Niland is one of Ireland’s most accomplished and inspiring athletes. His accolades include appearances on the ATP Tour and at Grand Slam tournaments, including qualifying for the first round of Wimbledon and the US Open in 2011. By doing so, he became the first Irishman to qualify for Wimbledon since 1980.
He represented Ireland at the highest levels of international tennis, competing in an unprecedented 12 Davis Cup ties, making his first appearance at the age of 18.
Other remarkable career highlights include multiple ATP Challenger victories and matches against some of tennis’s biggest stars, such as Novak Djokovic, solidifying his legacy as one of Ireland’s finest tennis talents.
The path to success was never easy for Niland. Throughout his career, he faced the physical and mental challenges of competing at the highest level, navigating injuries, and managing the relentless pressures of elite sport. Yet it was through these challenges that he developed an unshakeable level of resilience.
Beyond the tennis court, Niland published his gripping autobiography, The Racket. The book details the reality of being a touring tennis player and the hardships that come with such a lifestyle. In 2024, The Racket won the coveted William Hill Sports Book of the Year award, making him only the third Irishman ever to receive this prestigious honour.
About Exchange
Gymnastics Ireland Exchange is our annual hybrid virtual and in-person club support conference open exclusively to Gymnastics Ireland members.
Gymnastics Ireland Exchange is a week dedicated to learning, connecting, growing and celebrating everything that makes gymnastics in Ireland a space where individuals can truly thrive. Whether you are involved in participation, performance, inclusion or the day-to-day running of your club, Exchange has something for everyone.
This year's programme once again embraces a flexible hybrid format, combining online workshops with an exciting in-person event.