Steve graduated from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ in 1985 with a BSc in Physical Education, Sport Science and Recreation Management.
We spoke with Steve to find out more about his passion for sport, time at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, and his career.
He represented the University at Rugby, winning two 1st XV UAU Championship medals at Twickenham. Having played for Ireland at U18 level, his rugby career developed during his time at the University.
After graduating, Steve returned to Northern Ireland and continued to play for his rugby club, Collegians and was capped by Ulster at U23 level.
We asked Steve about his endeavours after leaving º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. He said:
“On leaving º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ my first job was in Leisure Services with Belfast City Council, and I really enjoyed working in the public sector and upholding its core social values.
“My career developed and over the next 40 years I worked for a further five Councils in various positions including as Director of Leisure and Community Services, delivering the first Olympic 50m Pool in Northern Ireland, and then as Chief Executive in 2010. After Local Government Reorganisation I was appointed in 2014 as Chief Executive of a new, larger local authority, Ards and North Down Borough Council. I held this post until early retirement in May this year.”
On retirement, Steve was looking to continue with his passion for sport and to utilise his expertise:
“I wanted to continue with my lifelong interest in the power of sport, which was ignited during my time at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, and I so was delighted to be appointed to the Board of Sport NI. This body is closely related to UK Sport and distributes, in Northern Ireland, the National Lottery funds to athletes and Governing Bodies. It also supports capital investment in sports facilities and related infrastructure and manages the Tollymore National Outdoor Centre and the NI Sports Institute.
“I am excited by my new role on the Board of Sport NI, and in particular the opportunity to work with partners to deliver outcomes that will change people’s lives, realising the contribution of sport to improved health and wellbeing, physical literacy, community cohesion and the local economy.”
Sport NI was established in 1973 to develop sport and physical recreation in Northern Ireland and is an Arm’s Length Body of the Department or Communities.
The Board will focus on the delivery of the Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity which sets out a vision for lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity and will deliver an active, healthy, resilient and inclusive society which recognises and values both participation and excellence.