Ulster Rugby vs Toulouse

to developing the individual, producing a rounded character with values which apply to sport and to life itself.” And Kieran’s limitless energy for the work being done and the reward in terms of seeing players he and his all- enveloping net of scouts spotted years ago then walking out proudly behind Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and the rest of the all-star cast of the senior side. Campbell is also heavily involved assisting in the coaching of the ‘A’ side competing in the British and Irish Cup, which allows his valued time away from a desk! “Yes, it’s great to help Alex with the team, because it’s where we can blood youngsters as well as have some senior players return from injury or needing playing time. As I keep hammering away, the Academy is part of a whole, a key part, and that is Ulster! “Les, Neil, Allen and Niall Malone all have real input to what we’re about, and that makes it the ‘family’ we’re all part of and committed to improving. “I love this job as Head of the Academy, I’ve been involved in it since 2012, and I often think how lucky I am to be allowed to continue the work started so well by Gary Longwell, and then by Allen. “I know the satisfaction I get from seeing players breaking through, and I know Gary, for instance, is really delighted that people like Iain Henderson and Stuart Olding, international players, have come through the system. “Yes, it’s a demanding job, but those are demands I put on myself because Les and ‘the Ulster way of doing things’ means high standards and total commitment. “And at the end of a long day I can snatch a little time with my two small girls, Isla and Erin, and know that they won’t have the slightest interest in what I’ve been doing. That’s actually refreshing! But I look forward to going to work each day, I’m fortunate to be so involved in Ulster’s present and its very exciting future. “The Academy is right at the heart of that future, who wouldn’t be excited?”

KIERAN CAMPBELL

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