Former Lions star Ferris relishing new role as Rugby Academy ambassador

FORMER Ulster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions star Stephen Ferris has joined the Belfast Met’s Rugby Academy as an ambassador.

Ferris will provide mentoring to the students in the Academy as well as helping them develop their game on the pitch.

Led by co-ordinator Nathan Moore, the Academy is in its fifth year now and is the leading sports academy in Northern Ireland for post-GCSE students who wish to pursue a career in the game.

Students can gain an international qualification across a twoyear programme while also honing their skills in the Academy.

Ferris commented: “Being an ambassador for Belfast Met is something that I am very excited about. Hopefully I can pass on some of my life experiences from on and off the rugby pitch to the young aspiring students.

“Nathan and the team are confident in the direction things are moving and it’s brilliant to be a part of it.”

In the past, the Academy has produced several Ulster and Irish age-grade players, and they have spent a significant amount on new equipment ahead of the new year.

Academy co-ordinator Moore said: “I am really delighted that Stephen has come onboard, the students will learn so much from him not just in terms of their game but also what it takes to make it to the top of the industry like he has.

“Stephen has had the same journey as some of our academy students, in that he decided to move from a grammar school to continue his A-level education at a further education college.

“We feel he is the perfect ambassador to work with our students, who come from either the local club or grammar school environments, as Stephen has experience of all these backgrounds.” Game on: Former British and Irish Lion Stephen Ferris has come onboard as an ambassador to mentor students at Belfast Met Rugby Academy. He is photographed with Belfast Met’s Rugby Academy coordinator Nathan Moore and lead strength and conditioning coach, Ciaran Shortt