About The NI Sports Forum

Marc is currently the Executive Manager of Ulster Hockey. Prior to his current role Marc has gained significant experience in the sports sector in various roles: Governance and Management Consultant with Sport NI (2009 – 2018), Development Officer with Scottish Hockey (2008-2009) and Programme Manager with the Scottish institute of Sport (2003-2008).

Kelly joined the board of the NI Sports Forum in 2015. Kelly is currently Head of Corporate Affairs at Open Strategic Communications which specialises in integrated communications, strategic PR and Media Relations, Public and Corporate Affairs, Crisis and Issues Management, Sustainability and Digital communications.

Kelly currently sits on the Board of the Southern Area Hospice Services, providing strategic advice and guidance. An Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), a member of the Northern Ireland Government Affairs Group (NIGAG) and The Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC). Kelly also sits on the Department for Communities Sport Matters Monitoring Group.

Catherine Graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in Accounting and completed her Accountancy charter with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. Catherine started her Accountancy training in the Construction and Facilities Management Industry and was subsequently employed there as a Company Accountant.

In 2014 Catherine left the private sector and joined the Department for Employment and Learning (subsequently the Department for the Economy) as an Accountant in Financial Management and Budgeting.

Outside of work she have been a member of the Ulster Hockey Union Management Board as Treasurer and Chair of Finance (‪2013-2016). Catherine played hockey for her local club CI Ladies Hockey and still takes a keen interest as a volunteer and committee member.

Chris is Director of Membership and Services Development at the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber), having joined the business membership organisation in 2009.

He has held a number of senior roles there including Head of Communications & Policy; Head of Communications & Engagement and Acting Chief Executive.

In his current role he is responsible for NI Chamber’s membership growth, retention and engagement, in addition to service development and establishing partnerships with a wide-range of organisations across Northern Ireland.

He is also a member of the Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland, and Chair of the Northern Ireland Sports Forum Business Development Sub-Committee. As a father of three young children, Chris is passionate about creating an environment for local sports to continue to thrive into the future.

Paul has been a Lecturer in Sports Development and Coaching in the School of Sport at Ulster University since February 2021. He is a graduate of Ulster University (1993-1998) and Sheffield Hallam University, England (2013) where he completed his PhD investigating Physical Activity, Health and Wellness Levels Amongst Adults in Northern Ireland. Paul leads the sport development curricula on Ulster University’s undergraduate and post-graduate programmes, and has a particular interest in sport policy, strategy, and practice. He has worked with several universities in the UK and Ireland as an external examiner. Previously, Paul was the Regeneration Director with the Gaelic Athletic Association (2018-2021) and Head of Policy, Planning and Research at Sport Northern Ireland (2002-2018). Currently, Paul is the Chairperson of The Camogie Association’s National Development Plan Implementation Committee (NDPIC) and is Vice-Chair of PlayBoard NI.

Karen has been Chief Executive of Netball NI since 2015 having previously worked as a Club and Workforce Development Officer. She is currently Chair of Ards and North Down Sports Forum and Trustee on the Newforge Community Development Trust (NCDT).

While her employment is focused on the business and administration side of sport, with particular attention to finance, governance, HR and commercial partnerships, Karen’s passion for sport stems from personal involvement with Netball at her local club where she plays and coaches, and within the wider Netball NI family as an umpire, umpire tutor, assessor and mentor. Sport has given her so many opportunities, supported her to develop many skills and created lifelong friendships. Her ambition is to ensure opportunities are made available and accessible to everyone. She believes that being a part of the NISF is some way to achieve that.

David graduated from Ulster University in Sport and Exercise Science and currently works for Ulster Rugby, where he specialises in Funding, Public Affairs, Project Management, Capital Development and Strategic Planning. He has over 10 years’ experience working in sport, with previous roles in the community and voluntary sector as well as private sector. He has delivered major projects for Ulster Rugby and has a wealth of knowledge of the sports sector. Previously, David was Board member of the Special Educational Needs Advice Centre and enjoys being a father to young twin boys, whom he is passionate about giving a wide range of sporting opportunities at an early age.

Allison graduated from Queens’ University Belfast in Biochemistry and Agricultural Chemistry, during which she was Irish Universities Champion and represented Ireland at the Equestrian World Student Games.

She is currently the Managing Director at The Concept Group, a Facilities Management Company which was set up with her two partners, which they ran successfully for over 20 years until the business was acquired by The Mount Charles Group in 2022.

Allison has had a love for most sports all her life, but particularly the equestrian section and has competed extensively in show jumping, working hunter, eventing and showing classes, and more recently championing her own homebred young stock. She completed the relevant coaching and judging courses, and going forward as an Irish Pony Society and Dressage Judge.

She has been the Horse Sport Ireland Youth showjumping chairperson for 3 years, a director of Show Jumping Ireland, currently a director of the Northern Ireland Horse Board and a member of the RUAS Council.

Allison is very focused on youth having opportunities in sport, and women being encouraged to come back into sport. Allison is looking forward to using her experience from her equestrian background to other sporting activities where male and female athletes compete against each other on a level playing field.

Stuart advises the NI Chamber Board of Directors as the Director of Finance & Performance. He has overall responsibility for the finance, export documentation, governance and operational performance. He has been with the NI Chamber since March 2017, previously Stuart worked in finance roles at Titanic Belfast, Finlay Communications (Sky TV) and Translink. A passion for Physical Activity he likes to spend his leisure time getting out for long walks with his wife and 2 children, Sam and Hannah or at his local leisure centre. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a member of the Institute of Directors.

Judith has been NI National Manager for Sported since 2020, having been with the organisation since 2014.
Judith is passionate about showcasing the power of sport & physical activity – at all levels – to change lives and communities. She leads on Sported’s advocacy work across NI to highlight the positive social change that involvement in sport can bring. With ambition to ensure everyone has access to these opportunities, Judith has designed and delivered a range of projects supporting voluntary leaders of grassroots clubs and groups to become more sustainable and inclusive.
Outside of work, Judith is kept busy with two young kids, gym classes and volunteering.

Richard has worked in sport for over 20 years. As a a youth, he represented Ireland at two Youth World Sailing Championships in 1998 and 1999 and won multiple youth national titles. Richard has worked as a watersports instructor and then became a coach, working with international athletes for a period, before then the NI Youth Squads and Irish Youth Academy.

He worked as Performance Manager for RYA Northern Ireland from 2006 to 2016, developing the performance pathway and supporting high performance athletes, including coaching the Irish men’s single handed representative at London 2012. From 2016 to 2022 Richard was Chief Operating Officer for RYA Northern Ireland.

Richards interests have always been in outdoor sports, from sailing to Stand Up Paddleboarding. His main hobby is windsurfing and now moving into foiling.

Sharon commenced her position with NISF in March 2014. Sharon worked for Price Waterhouse for many years and qualified as a member of the IATI in September 1987.

Following a career break to raise her family, she subsequently returned to the business world and developed roles within the finance and accounting departments of sporting and other bodies.

Rebekah Johnson serves as the Member Services Officer for the Northern Ireland Sports Forum (NISF), joining the organisation in May 2024. A proud graduate of Ulster University, Rebekah earned the esteemed Professor Pat Duffy Trophy for being the highest-achieving student in her Sports Coaching and Performance course, specialising in Sports Development and Psychology. With a strong academic background complemented by hands-on experience, she brings a well-rounded understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of sport.

From a young age, Rebekah competed at national level in sailing, athletics, and hockey, demonstrating a natural talent for picking up sports and excelling across a range of disciplines. Her early experiences have provided her with a deep appreciation for the athlete’s journey, from grassroots participation to high-level competition.

In her role at NISF, Rebekah leverages her expertise in sports development to foster strong relationships with members and support their needs effectively. While she no longer competes at a competitive level, Rebekah remains active and continues to enjoy sailing in her spare time alongside her passion for running, which led to the completion of her first marathon in London in 2024. With her extensive knowledge, personal commitment to sport, and proven track record of academic and personal achievements, Rebekah is dedicated to advancing the organisation’s mission to support the growth and development of sport across Northern Ireland.