Death of Robert ‘Stevie’ Stevenson

We have been deeply saddened by the untimely death of Robert 'Stevie' Stevenson, a much loved and respected stalwart of Ulster and Irish Schools' Athletics and a greatly missed friend and colleague. His passion for our sport began a long time ago and we are indebted to him for the legacy he leaves behind.

Stevie’s family moved to NI from England in 1948 and he arrived at Queen’s University, Belfast in September 1949 after two years of National Service in the RAF. He started officiating as a student in the summer term of 1950 at the Ulster Boys’ Grammar Schools’ Championships at Cherryvale. It was the norm for Queen’s students who were members of the athletics club to officiate and, since Stevie was studying Science, he was deemed a timekeeper.

In 1954 he was appointed as a teacher at Cookstown High School and later became vice-principal. His interest in extra-curricular athletics continued and, by 1966, he was Chairman of the Girls’ Schools’ Association. In 1967, he became involved in the formation of the Ulster Secondary Schools’ Athletic Association and Stevie was foremost in the setting up of the Irish Schools’ Athletic Association.

Stevie’s evident time-keeping skills saw him becoming a regular on the stand at meetings throughout NI and the UK, including the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1970 and, in recent years, he kept time at his 70th consecutive Ulster Schools' Championships. His interest in extra-curricular athletics and hockey, and his involvement with the Scout Association, saw him awarded with a well-deserved MBE in 2009.

Further recognition of his commitment to our sport was recognised when UK Athletics announced him as winner of the UK Sports Officials' Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. He was delighted to receive his award from his good friend and Olympian, Maeve Kyle at a Gala dinner to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the USSAA held at Belfast City Hall and hosted by Stevie himself, as president of the association. He also served as vice-president of Irish Schools' Athletics Association, contributing greatly to the organisation of schools' athletics across Ireland and further afield. 

Stevie's was a life well-lived. His infectious enthusiasm and love of athletics was obvious to all who had the privilege to meet him. His passing is certainly a huge loss; Stevie is simply irreplaceable.