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KIERAN CAMPBELL
to developing the individual, producing a rounded
character with values which apply to sport and to life
itself.”
And Kieran’s limitless energy for the work being done
and the reward in terms of seeing players he and his all-
enveloping net of scouts spotted years ago then walking
out proudly behind Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and the
rest of the all-star cast of the senior side.
Campbell is also heavily involved assisting in the
coaching of the ‘A’ side competing in the British and Irish
Cup, which allows his valued time away from a desk!
“Yes, it’s great to help Alex with the team, because it’s
where we can blood youngsters as well as have some
senior players return from injury or needing playing time.
As I keep hammering away, the Academy is part of a
whole, a key part, and that is Ulster!
“Les, Neil, Allen and Niall Malone all have real input to
what we’re about, and that makes it the ‘family’ we’re all
part of and committed to improving.
“I love this job as Head of the Academy, I’ve been
involved in it since 2012, and I often think how lucky I
am to be allowed to continue the work started so well by
Gary Longwell, and then by Allen.
“I know the satisfaction I get from seeing players
breaking through, and I know Gary, for instance, is really
delighted that people like Iain Henderson and Stuart
Olding, international players, have come through the
system.
“Yes, it’s a demanding job, but those are demands I
put on myself because Les and ‘the Ulster way of doing
things’ means high standards and total commitment.
“And at the end of a long day I can snatch a little time
with my two small girls, Isla and Erin, and know that they
won’t have the slightest interest in what I’ve been doing.
That’s actually refreshing! But I look forward to going to
work each day, I’m fortunate to be so involved in Ulster’s
present and its very exciting future.
“The Academy is right at the heart of that future, who
wouldn’t be excited?”