Sports Scholar Laura Kerr helps launch the University's Sports Academy, which brings together under one umbrella all the University's sporting activities 

ULSTER and Ireland rugby star David Humphreys today launches the University of Ulster Sports Academy – a giant step toward realising the University’s vision to be the leading university for sport on the island of Ireland.

The UU Sports Academy, which places sport at the heart of the University, is the only one of its kind in any third level education facility in Ireland, brings together all aspects of sport in the University from world-class athletes to those who take part for recreation.

Bringing together the five existing facilities in the University – the Sport and Recreation Services, Sports Development Unit, Sports Union, School of Sports Studies and the Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute – the new Sports Academy will coordinate their actions into a more effective unit designed to enhance sporting excellence and participation.

There are three strands to the Academy’s activities: – Be Active, Be Involved, Be Outstanding: they aim to make sport available to all people, from world class athletes to the wider community and is the first step in the University of Ulster’s vision to be the leading university for sport on the island of Ireland.

The Be Active strand will encourage involvement in sport through its Sports Outreach programmes in schools and Sports Development Unit in the University.

The Be Involved strand which is designed to provide athletes with the coaches and support services necessary to reach their potential.

The Be Outstanding strand works to enhance the study of sport, by contributing to sporting knowledge through its high quality academic courses and research

Co-Directors of the UU Sports Academy are Dr Nigel Dobson and Dr Marie Murphy.

Nigel said: “Our new vision is based on shared ownership of sport throughout the University encompassing student sport, services and facilities, administrative departments, teaching and research of sport and related subjects.”

Co-director Marie Murphy said: “We now have the structure to allow everyone who is interested in sport and physical activity to take part at the level that suits them - from those who want to increase their activity right through to the high performance athlete preparing for international competition. The idea is to bring all of areas of provision together to create synergies for sport. Our goal is that each will have the highest quality of experience through the facilities programmes and support services we offer. "

“The sports academy is the coming together of everyone and everything involved in sport in the university under one umbrella. The academy is pulling everyone together for one single vision and the vision is to be the leading university for sport on the island of Ireland.”

The University of Ulster has as had a long history of sporting achievement, with world-class athletes such as sprinter Anna Boyle, rugby’s Tommy Bowe and Tyrone All-Ireland football winner Sean Cavanagh, all benefiting from the university’s support.

The creation of Sports Institute of Northern Ireland ­- a joint partnership with Sports Council Northern Ireland - has been a catalyst for sport at the University.

Welcoming the launch of the Sports Academy, the University of Ulster’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jim Allen, said:

“We are placing sport at the heart of the University of Ulster. The development of the UU Sports Academy allows us to build on the tradition of sport established on our campuses for more than 20 years,” Professor Allen said.

“We have made a unique contribution to sport through the performance of our athletes and teams, and in providing facilities and services for other sporting organisations.

"Going forward, we intend to have greater interaction with sport at all levels across the province and in our work with the governing bodies throughout the island.”

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young