Our Board
Disability Sport NI is currently managed by a Board of Directors, who are elected at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) to represent the interests of the broader membership and/or to provide the staff with guidance on the charity’s remit to support people with disabilities to be active and be the best in sport and active recreation.
Paddy Marshall
Chairperson - Appointed 26th November, 2019
Paddy spent 6 years working as a programme officer in the charity sector before moving into business development in the commercial sector. He has a keen interest in getting people involved in sport and physical activity, and has recently been involved in running a community-based tag-rugby team. Paddy was appointed to the Board of Directors because of his experience of contributing to the development and implementation of corporate strategies and business plans and direct experience of disability.
Jill Poots
Vice Chairperson - Appointed 26th November, 2019
Jill has had a long career working in senior roles within the sports sector and was appointed to the Board of Directors because of her experience of contributing to the development and implementation of corporate strategies and business plans, and her extensive experience of performance sport and governance.
Michael Hilland
Director - Appointed 25th November, 2015
Michael is a Director of Adair & Milliken Electrical Contractors and is a member of the Association of Powerchair Football Ireland. He was appointed to the Board of Directors for his experience of business and disability sport.
Stephen Friel
Director - Appointed 25th November, 2015
Stephen is a management consultant with many year’s experience overseeing the implementation of business plans and is a former coach of Irish Boccia Team. He was appointed to the Board of Directors because of his experience of business, sport and disability issues.
David Cowan
Director - Appointed 30th November, 2021
David is currently Head of Employment at USEL, Northern Ireland’s largest training and employment provider for disabled people and people with health conditions. He was appointed to the Board of Directors because of his commitment to disability inclusion and because of his experience, knowledge and understanding of all aspects of management within a social enterprise supporting disabled people.
Tony Barclay
Director - Appointed 30th November, 2021
Tony was appointed to the Board of Directors on because of his direct experience of disability and disability sport and because of his extensive experience and knowledge of strategic management and governance in the charity sector.
Jim Rose
Director - Appointed 29th November, 2022
Jim retired from his post as Director of Leisure and Community Services at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council in 2020 after a long and successful career working in the leisure services field. He was appointed to the Board of Directors because of his extensive knowledge and experience of managing sports and leisure services programmes in local authorities in Northern Ireland and his obvious passion and commitment to greater inclusion in sport.
Barry Shannon
Director - Appointed 29th November, 2022
Barry is Head of Human Resources at STATSports, a world leading provider of GPS tracking and analysis equipment for sports people and has over 20 years experience working at a senior level in Human Resource Management within the public, private and charity sectors. Barry is also a keen sports man and has had a range of voluntary roles within Soccer and GAA clubs. Barry was appointed to the Board of Directors because of his wealth of knowledge and experience of Human Resource Management and his interest and passion for sport.
Nicola Woods
Director - Appointed 29th November, 2022
Nicola is a chartered public finance accountant, currently working in the Financial Governance Branch of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, but previously worked for 7 years as an Auditor in the Financial Audit Division of the Northern Ireland Office. Nicola was appointed to the Board of Directors because of her extensive understanding and experience of financial management and governance issues, as well as her direct experience of disability.
Greg Yarnall
Director - Appointed 29th November, 2022
Greg is the recently appointed Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland (RYA NI) with six years previous experience as Development Director with Table Tennis England. During his time at Table Tennis England he led on the organisation’s investment strategy, as well as having lead responsibility for its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) work. He is also a former talented junior athlete representing England in Table Tennis before moving on to a number of coaching roles within the sport. Greg was appointed to the Board of Directors because of his knowledge and experience of working professionally within the UK sports sector as well as well as his personal experience as a talented athlete and coach.
Angela Hendra MBE
Honorary President
Dr Janet Gray MBE
Honorary President