Ulster Rugby vs Munster

NEVIN SPENCE CENTRE

RUTH HARPER // VISITOR SERVICES MANAGER Having studied a degree in Hospitality

CLAIRE McAULEY // EDUCATION OFFICER

NEVIN SPENCE CENTRE

Whilst completing a chemistry degree and then a PGCE at Queen’s University, Claire held numerous positions at W5. Upon graduating Claire worked full time as a demonstrator at W5 and then moved into the role of an educator, undertaking big events and partnerships with schools. In September after 10 years at W5, Claire joined Ulster Rugby as Education Officer and has since been researching and getting to grips with her new found love of rugby… “For the past seven months I have been undertaking a huge amount of research and learning all about the history of rugby and the heritage of rugby in Ulster. I have spent a lot of time in the public records office and the newspaper archives, sifting through information. My role as Education Officer includes running workshops which schools can book into, I have to ensure that they fit seamlessly into the curriculum, that they are interesting and engaging for both pupils and teachers. I also have to ensure that the history of the game is preserved in the most tasteful way so that when supporters and families visit the centre there are special collections that they can look at that are all connected to rugby. “My main focus has been to develop a comprehensive timeline of every important date from when rugby first began in Ireland through to the present day. I have spent a lot of time collecting artefacts which match up to the dates on the timeline. I have also met up with all of our contractors, carried out bespoke filming for the centre screens, signed off on the graphics for the walls and have even polished the trophies which will be on display. The museum designer, Mather and Co. who also designed the Springbok museum were a great help when it came to deciding on which items to include in the Nevin Spence Centre. We had a lot of items in storage and a lot of people including past players offered items for display. We have minute books from clubs in the 1800s, the original Lion from Willie John McBride’s Tour in 1974 and Jack Kyle’s family have been so kind to offer us items from his collection. “Rugby was not part of my live before now so it’s funny that I get really excited when someone brings me a new item which could go on display!”

Management at University of Ulster, Ruth took up a position with Thistle Hotels in Edinburgh before managing the launch of the Hilton Templepatrick. She then moved to Parliament Buildings where she looked after the Northern Ireland Assembly with reference to food, beverages and events. Ruth then joined W5 were she spent 12 years as Visitor Services Manager, welcoming a quarter of a million people annually. In March, Ruth joined the team at Ulster Rugby as Visitor Services Manager for the Nevin Spence Centre and this week we caught up with her to find out more… “As Visitor Services Manager my plan is to open up the centre fundamentally for the educational market, we will deliver workshops, stadium tours and focus our concentration on the history of rugby and its heritage, but overall our aim is to grow the business by opening up to families and the tourism market. This summer will be very much a trial and test period whereby season ticket holders will be invited to come along, DCAL representatives, staff groups, the players etc.; will all get the opportunity to experience the centre before we open up to the public. “For me, the goal of the centre is to make it profitable so that it will stand on its own two feet. It is critical to grow visitor numbers whether that is in education, the general public or rugby supporters – we have got to make the visitor experience to the Nevin Spence Centre, world class so people will want to return. We hope to open the doors at the beginning of September following a test period over the summer, I have still got some recruitment to do in terms of additional support for the centre but the contractors will be handing everything over to me on Monday and that is when I will start to take over the operational side of the Nevin Spence Centre, getting things ready for the launch. “Throughout the creation of the centre Nevin has very much been at the forefront. The design is tasteful, there is a wall dedicated to Nevin and his sister has provided us with a beautiful painting of him. There is also video footage of Nevin playing the game and his family kindly donated his scrap books from when he was a young boy which are showcased in a digital vault in the centre to give an insight into his life. It is a great legacy and I think he would be very proud.”

The Nevin Spence Centre will open in September 2015 from 9am to 5pm.

To keep up to date with Centre information please visit: www.ulsterrugby.com/KingspanStadium/ TheNevinSpenceCentre or email standup@ulsterrugby.com

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www. ulster rugby.com

ULSTER RUGBY