Athletics NI Saddened by Loss of Official Robert Stevenson

It might seem strange to say ‘untimely’ for someone who four days earlier had celebrated his 94th birthday but at the time of his passing he was still full of life. The day before his birthday he attended the AGM of the Ulster Schools AA (of which he was a founder member) and had attended Scouts, an organisation close to his heart.

Born in Glasgow, he was however educated at Maidstone Grammar School in Kent where he competed against and beat fellow pupil Frank Sando who would go on to represent GB at two Olympics.

In 1948 the family moved to Northern Ireland where Roy graduated from Queens University and began a teaching career in Cookstown High School rising to the position of Vice-Principal. However it was involvement in extra-curricular activities for which he was best known especially in the field of hockey, athletics and scouts.

While at Queen’s he was asked to keep time at the University Championships in Cherryvale and thus began an amazing lifetime role which he fulfilled at every level from schools sports to Commonwealth Games. His record of keeping time at 68 consecutive Ulster Schools Championships will never be surpassed and he coupled these duties with his Presidency of Ulster Schools and Vice Presidency of Irish Schools.

It was not only schools athletics which was the beneficiary of his committment and skills as he  was also a dedicated official for Athletics Northern Ireland. Unfazed by the introduction of electronic timing Stevie kept meticulous records of his comparisons with the photo-finish and was quick to celebrate when he achieved a Bingo (a time exactly equivalent to the camera).

His dedication and enthusiasm did not go unrecognised.  At the 50th Anniversary Dinner of the Ulster Schools three time Irish Olympian Maeve Kyle presented Stevie with the UK Sports Officials Lifetime Achievement Award.

Despite all these achievements Stevie will primarily be remembered as one of natures gentlemen. 

Written by John Glover