President: Wendy Phillips
Chairman: Phil Snoddy
Vice- Chair: Paul Lawther
Honorary Treasurer: Vacant
Vice-Presidents: John Allen
Company Secretary: Vacant
CEO: Elaine Grant
| Members | Role |
| Phil Snoddy | Chair |
| Paul Lawther | Vice Chair |
| Vacant | Treasurer |
| Vacant | Company Secretary and Safeguarding Champion |
| David Marrs | Independent and Anti-Doping Champion |
| Brendan (Herbie) McDaid | UAC Rep |
| Wendy Phillips | President |
| Vacant | Independent |
| Vacant | HR and Independent |
| Vacant | Development and Participation Rep |
| Jason Smyth | Performance Pathway Rep |
| Ian Taylor | Competition and Events Rep |
Please see below the summary documents of the previous 6 months Management Board Meetings:
AGM Minutes
Minutes from the 2022 AGM are available to members by emailing: companysecretary@athleticsni.org
Paul has been a Board member since August 2020 and Vice-Chair from November 2020. He was a teacher for twenty years before moving to Belfast Education and Library Board where he held a senior position in education with responsibility for a wide range of educational initiatives relating to school improvement, governance, and teacher education
Paul is a founder member of Annadale Striders (established 1973) and has held a number of positions within the committee since then. As a competitive athlete he represented Great Britain both at Junior and Senior levels in events from the European Junior Championships to the World Student Games and represented Northern Ireland at two Commonwealth Games and Northern Ireland in the World Cross-country. He has run a number of Sub 4 minute miles.
Paul has been involved in athletics for fifty plus years and he hopes that this experience along with work in education can bring a positive and supportive role to Athletics Northern Ireland as it enters a new phase.
As a Chartered Civil Engineer David has worked in the construction industry for over 35 years. His current positions include Technical Director of specialist geotechnical contractors Retain Solutions Ltd and Partner in the forensic engineering firm TBM Consultants.
With a lifelong love of sport, David combined representing Northern Ireland as a sprinter and playing rugby for Ulster in the 1980’s. His involvement in athletics spans over 40 years as an athlete, parent and currently as an official.
As an Independent board member David looks forward to playing his part to oversee good governance of the resources available to Athletics NI. He is committed to promoting increased participation levels by ensuring that athletes have access to coaching, modern facilities and local competitions.
Brendan (also known as Herbie) is member of Letterkenny Athletic Club and has been since competing as a juvenile from 1972 to 1976 earning national underage medals such as silver in the 800m and bronze in the 1500m.
Brendan played intermediate soccer for Letterkenny Rovers from 1976 to 1991, and returned to competitive athletics after that, competing as a senior and then as a master athlete.
Brendan has held roles of club captain and Chairperson of Letterkenny AC and remains actively involved in all aspects of the club.
In a spirit of giving back to the sport, Brendan got involved at county and provincial level as an administrator and competition official with roles such as Competition Secretary Donegal Athletics, Treasurer of Ulster Athletics and race director for road events. He holds NTO Level 5.
At Athletics Ireland, Brendan was elected as chair of Competition Committee and completed two terms. He has also represented Ulster on the board. Brendan is currently Chair of Ulster Athletic Council and an elected regional representative on the Athletics Ireland Board and appointed Athletics Ireland Rep to the Athletics Northern Ireland Board.
He has served on the LOC as Event Presentation Manager at European Athletics events hosted by AAI in 2009, 2013 and 2021.
Brendan is married and lives in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
Alison became an independent Board member in April 2024. A member of Annadale Striders, Alison competes for her club across the distances from 3k to half marathon. She has a love of cross country and has represented Northern Ireland and Ulster at both Senior and Masters level at International cross country events.
A qualified accountant, project management and change management practitioner, Alison currently works for PwC Operate as the transition lead for Finance Managed Services. Alison brings her broad mix of strategic and financial expertise to support the implementation of the Athletics NI Strategy.
As a Mum to two primary school children, Alison is passionate about opportunities for young people to get involved in athletics. She is the Chairperson of the Development and Participation Committee, working alongside the Athletics NI Development Team to increase and sustain participation in athletics for children, and adults, at all levels.
Jason Smyth joined the board of Athletics NI in 2024 as Chair of the Performance Pathway Committee. He is widely recognised as one of Northern Ireland's most accomplished athletes, holding the national 100m record and maintaining an 18-year unbeaten career in Paralympic sprinting. Jason’s remarkable achievements include 21 gold medals at major championships, including six Paralympic golds, earning him the title of the fastest Paralympian in history. In 2022, Jason was awarded an MBE for his contributions to sport.
Since retiring from competition in 2023, Jason has focused on shaping the future of sport across the island of Ireland. He also brings extensive governance experience, having served on the boards of Netball NI and Vision Sports Ireland. His leadership extends to Paralympics Ireland, where he contributes to the organisation as Strategy Manager.
In addition to his board roles, Jason is a qualified financial adviser and motivational speaker, using his platform to inspire others to reach their potential. He brings his athletic expertise and strategic insight to the board of Athletics NI, supporting the growth and development of the sport.