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Paula Stewart is a highly respected volunteer leader in Northern Ireland’s sporting community, with a long-standing commitment to grassroots development and governance in rugby and netball. She began her leadership journey with Lurgan Rugby Football & Cricket Club in 2007 as Honorary Secretary of the Rugby Section, later becoming Honorary Secretary of the Management Committee, demonstrating strong organisational leadership. She also represented Lurgan on the Ulster Branch Clubs Committee, contributing to regional rugby governance. Alongside this, Paula played and umpired netball, later serving as a Participation Committee Member with Netball Northern Ireland (2018–2020) and as Premier League Manager. In 2021, she became the first female President of her home Club in Lurgan. She was appointed Chair of the Ulster Women and Girls Committee in 2022, advancing the women’s game. In 2024, she became Ulster Rugby’s first female Junior Vice President, on course to become the 150th President and the first female President for the 2027/28 season.