19 / 60
www.
ULSTERRUGBY
.com
17
GOODBYE & GOOD LUCK
David had previously held the position of
Domestic Rugby Manager, beginning some 15
years ago, and took up his new role in 2013 to
oversee the redevelopment of the stadium at
Ravenhill.
Prior to joining Ulster Rugby as an employee,
David had spent decades cheering the team on
from the terraces and was heavily involved in
volunteering at Ballyclare RFC as a coach and
administrator of mini and youth rugby. He was
also the Team Manager of the Ulster U18 Youth
squad for a number of years.
Speaking at his retirement function, David
reflected: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as
an employee of Ulster Rugby. Being Domestic
Rugby Manager had its challenges, at one stage
I had 53 staff who were reporting into me, but it
was extremely rewarding.
“Seeing how under-age rugby, female rugby and
disability rugby, which were virtually non-existent,
have developed over the past 15 years has been
really pleasing. I have made many friends right
across the Province, and further afield, I’ve learnt
a great deal and I have many fond memories.”
When asked for a single highlight, David has little
hesitation in giving his answer…
“The U19 World Championships, which were
held here in Belfast in 2007. We had 24 full
international teams here for 4 weeks. They played
60 games of rugby in the space of 3 weeks and at
6 different venues.
“There are six current All Blacks who played in
that tournament, Ulster favourite Wiehahn Herbst
represented South Africa, and there were many
more, such as Wales and Lions fullback, Leigh
Halfpenny.
“It was two years of very hard work, it was a
massive undertaking and it involved a great
team effort. The real challenge was that we
had to deliver the event alongside our existing
work, within both the professional and domestic
structures.”
With the redevelopment of the stadium a few
years ago, the opportunity arose for David to take
over as Stadium Manager, and it’s a role he has
relished.
“It was a very rewarding and enlightening time
for me. It’s a stadium that we are all very proud
of and I think it compares favourably with the
stadiums of other rugby teams in Europe. The
stadium opening in May 2014 and the hosting of
the PRO12 final in May 2015 were undoubtedly
the highlights of my time as Stadium Manager.”
Commenting upon his retirement, IRFU (Ulster
Branch) President, John McKibbin, said: “David
was highly regarded by Committee members
and colleagues, as well as club and school
representatives. He was well-known and liked at
clubs across the Province and has contributed a
great deal to rugby in Ulster as both a volunteer
and as an employee. We wish him well in his
retirement.”
FAREWELL TO
DAVID BOYD
This month saw the end of an era as David Boyd, who has contributed so
much to rugby in Ulster as both a volunteer and as an employee, retired
from his post as Ulster Rugby's Stadium Manager.