The GPRC was established by Chartered Physiotherapist Barry Smith in 2008. Barry has been involved in the treatment, rehabilitation and performance coaching of a wide range of athletes for over 15 years.

Barry completed his undergraduate training with a BSc. (Hons) Physiotherapy from Trinity College, Dublin, 2001. He subsequently went on to complete a Masters in Sports Medicine at Trinity College in 2003, graduating first place in his Masters class. He has worked in private practice and has specialised in sports rehabilitation and musculoskeletal medicine since 2001. He is a Member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.

Barry has previously worked with Derry City FC, Confey FC and Confey GAA. He was heavily involved with the Irish Amateur Boxing High Performance Unit in preparation for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. He has been Chartered Physiotherapist to MU Barnhall RFC since 2001 and has led the Sports Rehabilitation Unit of the MU Rugby Scholarship Program since 2006. Barry is currently Chartered Physiotherapist to the Irish Universities' Rugby Team. He works with Leinster Rugby as the Medical Officer and Injury Prevention Consultant at the Leinster Rugby School of Excellence.

Barry's special interest areas include: the science of motor learning, sports and movement coaching, injury prevention in field sports, sports medicine and osteoporosis. As a former Irish Tennis Champion and international representative, Barry had also had the great pleasure of representing Ireland in tag and touch rugby, captaining his country to Tri Nations Tag success in 2015.