About Us
Ulster Sports Legacy is a new initiative celebrating the impact, influence and lasting legacy of sport across Ulster.
Backed by some of the greatest names in Ulster sport, it aims to preserve sporting history, inspire participation and engagement, strengthen communities and support the visitor economy.
We are developing a digital museum, facilitating a series of community programmes and network of sports heritage experience - with plans for a permanent Sports Hall of Fame in Belfast City Centre.
Our Directors
A Community Interest Company (CIC) limited by guarantee and registered in Northern Ireland, USL's Directors are Lady Mary Peters LG CH DBE, Nigel Carr MBE and Amanda Jones FCA.
The initiative is also supported by a number of Founding Partners, namely: Ulster University, Studio Ulster, the National Museum of Ireland, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Sporting Memories UK, Fraser Randall, Co-Star Screen Labs and Coast to Capital.
LADY MARY PETERS LG CH DBE (Patron)
Director
Lady Mary is one of Northern Ireland's most celebrated sporting figures and one of its most respected public ambassadors. Best known for winning the Olympic Gold Medal in the Pentathlon at the Munich Games in 1972, she inspired a generation through her determination, resilience and sporting excellence. Her achievements also include Commonwealth and European medals, numerous international titles and representation of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at three Olympic Games.
Following her competitive career, Lady Mary devoted herself to ensuring that future generations of young sportspeople would have the opportunity to fulfil their own potential. Through the establishment of the Mary Peters Trust in 1975, she has helped thousands of emerging athletes across Northern Ireland by providing financial assistance, mentoring and encouragement. Many of the province's Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth and World champions have benefited from the Trust's support during their formative years.
Lady Mary has dedicated more than five decades to public service, championing sport, health, education and community development. She has served on numerous public bodies and charitable organisations and remains one of Northern Ireland's most recognisable and respected advocates for the positive impact that sport can have on individuals and society.
Her exceptional contribution has been recognised through many of the United Kingdom's highest honours, including appointment as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) and, in 2019, membership of the prestigious Order of the Companions of Honour (CH), one of the nation's rarest distinctions for outstanding achievement and service.
As a Founding Director and Patron of Ulster Sports Legacy, Lady Mary brings unparalleled experience, integrity and inspiration to the organisation. She shares its vision of preserving and celebrating Ulster's remarkable sporting heritage while inspiring future generations to realise their own potential through the enduring power of sport.
NIGEL CARR MBE (President)
Director
Nigel is a former Ireland and British & Irish Lions rugby international, respected broadcaster and longstanding advocate for the power of sport to strengthen communities and improve lives.
Widely regarded as one of Ireland's finest openside flankers, his international playing career was tragically cut short following the 1987 IRA bomb attack that seriously injured him while travelling to an Ireland training session. Despite this life-changing event, Nigel has devoted much of his post-playing career to promoting sport, education and community engagement.
Awarded an MBE for services to sport and community relations, Nigel has also received significant public recognition for his wider contribution to society. He has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Queen's University Belfast in recognition of his achievements and public service and has been inducted into the Irish Rugby Writers' Hall of Fame, reflecting both his sporting excellence and enduring influence on Irish rugby.
Alongside his sporting career, Nigel has enjoyed a distinguished career in economic development. During more than three decades with Invest Northern Ireland, he held a number of senior leadership positions, working with local businesses and international investors to support innovation, inward investment, export growth and economic prosperity. His extensive experience in strategic development, partnership working and stakeholder engagement now brings considerable commercial and governance expertise to Ulster Sports Legacy.
Beyond rugby, Nigel has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to preserving and celebrating Ulster's sporting heritage. As former Chairman of the Ulster Sports Museum Association, he helped champion the vision of a permanent museum dedicated to recognising athletes from every community while inspiring future generations through the stories of sporting achievement.
As a Founding Director and President of Ulster Sports Legacy, Nigel continues this commitment by helping lead a movement that uses sport and sporting heritage to promote health and wellbeing, education, inclusion, volunteering and shared cultural understanding. He remains a passionate advocate for the enduring power of sport to inspire individuals, strengthen communities and create lasting social and economic impact across Northern Ireland.
AMANDA JONES FCA (Founder)
Director
Amanda is an accomplished senior director with more than 30 years' experience working across the private, public and voluntary sectors. A KPMG alumna and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, she has built a distinguished career leading organisational transformation, delivering major capital redevelopment programmes, and driving economic growth through strategic regional leadership. She is a passionate advocate for the role of arts, heritage and sport in creating thriving, resilient communities and economies.
Amanda holds a first-class honours degree in Accounting with Computing from Ulster University, a postgraduate diploma in Professional Accounting from Queen's University, and an MSc in Innovation, Leadership & Management from the University of York. As Director of Finance & Planning at National Museums Northern Ireland, Amanda set the financial strategy for the acclaimed redevelopment of the Ulster Museum and during her 16 years as Deputy Chief Executive of Brighton Dome & Festival, developed the £32 million Royal Pavilion Estate Masterplan and the UK government’s 5G Testbed.
Amanda currently chairs Coast to Capital, the regional economic development agency, and serves as Chair of The Sussex Archaeological Society (Sussex Past), Trustee and Treasurer of the Council for British Archaeology, and Chair of Good Space, a volunteering for wellbeing programme supporting arts, heritage and sports organisations - having previously served as a Non-Exec Director of the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and chaired its mental health charity Heads On.
During a lengthy and successful equestrian career, Amanda represented Ireland in three-day eventing on multiple occasions, was a senior judge for the British and Irish Pony Societies and BBC Radio Ulster's equestrian correspondent for over a decade.
In founding Ulster Sports Legacy, Amanda continues to champion the power of sport to deliver sizeable, long-lasting social and economic impact.