Cathy Gallagher is the Executive Director of Sport at the University of Stirling. She is responsible for leading the university’s sport strategy, managing its facilities and overseeing performance and participation programmes for students and staff. Her role places her at the centre of planning, development and delivery across all areas of sport on campus.
Cathy’s Career
Cathy has more than seventeen years of experience working in higher education sport. She studied Finance at Queen’s University Belfast, completing both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. During her time there she was heavily involved in student sport and later progressed into senior management at Queen’s Sport. Her work during this period included overseeing major developments and the expansion of student sport services.
She also worked for the national governing body for third level sport in Ireland and later joined Dublin City University, where she managed student sport programmes. In 2011 she moved to Trinity College Dublin as Development Manager. There she was responsible for writing the university’s strategic plan for sport, establishing performance structures, developing major capital projects and introducing medical support systems for student athletes.
Cathy has significant international experience. She served as Head of Delegation for Ireland at the World University Games in Shenzhen in 2011, in Kazan in 2013 and in Gwangju in 2015. She also spent ten years as National Team Manager for Northern Ireland Universities. Her sporting background is in Gaelic Football, which she played at inter county level.
Her work at Stirling
At Stirling, Cathy leads the continued development of the university’s sport facilities. A major part of this has been the enhancement of fitness and performance spaces, including high performance gyms and updated conditioning areas with modern equipment. These improvements were designed to support both performance athletes and the wider student community.
Cathy also chairs the advisory board for Winning Students, the national sport scholarship programme for Scotland. Her role supports the development of student athletes who combine academic study with elite training and competition.
Her leadership contributes to the university’s strong reputation in sport and supports its position as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. She continues to play a central role in shaping the environment that allows athletes, clubs and recreational participants to develop and succeed.
Read more about her work here.
Featured Image Credit: University of Stirling
