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The NI Sports Forum is proud to continue its Board Recruitment Programme, an initiative launched in 2019 to strengthen the governance of sports organisations across Northern Ireland. The programme connects skilled and passionate individuals with opportunities to serve on the boards and committees of member organisations, helping to shape the future of sport in the region.
Member organisations include some of Northern Ireland’s leading sports bodies such as Ulster Rugby, Ulster Hockey, IABA, RYANI, Ulster Tennis, NI Commonwealth Games Council, and Athletics NI. To date, the programme has successfully placed candidates on the boards of Archery NI, Ulster Hockey, Basketball NI, Canoe Association NI, NI Judo Federation, and the NI Sports Forum itself.
“We are delighted to welcome an independent Director to the Netball NI Board through the Board Recruitment Programme. We believe his experience in strategic roles, as well as background in governance, change management and communication will be a real asset to Netball NI. ” said Helen Stirling, Chairperson at Netball NI.
“Volunteering on the board of the NI Sports Forum has allowed me to apply my professional skills in a different context, contributing to a cause I care about while broadening my perspective. When joining the board, seeing other women in leadership roles made a real difference - it reinforced that there’s space for us at the table, and that visibility matters when shaping inclusive decision-making.” Cath Quinn, NISF Board Director.
The programme works by inviting individuals to complete an Expression of Interest Form, outlining their skills and areas of interest. Member organisations then share their board recruitment needs, and the NI Sports Forum matches candidates to suitable opportunities. Informal meetings are arranged to ensure alignment, and feedback is gathered from both parties before any placement is confirmed.
The NI Sports Forum is particularly keen to encourage women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply, as part of its commitment to achieving a 50:50 gender balance and promoting diversity in sports leadership.
Interested in joining a board?
Complete the Expression of Interest Form here: Online Form
All applicant details are managed confidentially by the NI Sports Forum Executive Manager and will only be shared with member organisations with the applicant’s consent.
For more information, please contact:
Richard Honeyford, Executive Manager, NI Sports Forum