Raise Your Game: M&L Lessons from Sport



Raise Your Game is an initiative jointly created by Podiem and The Ulster Sports Academy.

The Raise Your Game Series of Conferences offers local managers and leaders the opportunity to engage with and learn from some of the most successful figures from the world of sport. Many of the skills and success factors in sport are transferable to business and management and Raise Your Game events will allow local organisations and managers to take ideas, actions and inspiration from the world of sport.

The Series kicked off with an inaugural event at the High Performance Centre at the University of Ulster Jordanstown in May 2010 and was followed by a second event at Portadown Rugby Club in June 2010. Further details, pictures and attendee feedback on both of these fantastic events can be found by scrolling on down.

The Series aims to continue with the next event pencilled in for Autumn 2010 with a contingent from the New Zealand All Blacks likely to appear.

If you would like more information on the Raise Your Game Series please contact Kevin Kelly at 028 90761030.

Stay tuned to this website or register your details in the Sign Up For Updates section for information on the next conference in this series of truly unmissable events!


Raise Your Game: Craigavon June 2010


Portadown Rugby Club played host to the second of the Raise Your Game Conferences in June 2010.


Providing a more intimate setting in which attendees were able to get up close and personal with both business and sporting greats, Raise Your Game Craigavon was a runaway success and allowed the audience to listen to and learn from individuals including:

  • Sir Matthew Pinsent CBE - Quadruple Olympic Champion Rower

  • Stephen Ferris - Ireland and Ulster Rugby Player

  • Professor Debbie Boyd - CEO of Re3 [Ireland] Group

  • Bill Donald - Director of Golf, The K Club

  • Hugh Daly - Serial Entrepreneur

 Some of the many attendee comments can be viewed Here.


Podiem Director Philippa Spiller with Stephen Ferris, Sir Matthew Pinsent & Dr. Nigel Dobson
Pictured from left: Ms. Philippa Spiller, Mr. Stephen Ferris, Sir Matthew Pinsent CBE & Dr. Nigel Dobson.



Raise Your Game: UUJ 26th May 2010

The inaugural Raise Your Game Conference took place in the High Performance Centre at the University of Ulster in May 2010.

Compered by Mr. Mark Simpson (BBC Ireland Correspondent) the event was a resounding success and featured lessons and advice from sporting and business luminaries including:

  • Richard Dunwoody MBE - Champion Jockey

  • Dr. Janet Grey MBE - World Champion Waterskier

  • Mickey Harte - Tyrone Triple All Ireland Senior Football Championship Winning Manager

  • Jonathon Gregory - Commercial Director, Wembley Stadium

  • Adi Birrell - Ireland Cricket Coach, World Cup 2007  


Click Here to access attendee feedback.


Podiem Director Kevin Kelly with the speakers from RYG UUJ
Pictured from left: Dr. Nigel Dobson, Ulster Sports Academy, Mr. Richard Dunwoody MBE, Dr. Janet Grey MBE, Mr. Mickey Harte, Mr. Johnathon Gregory, Mr. Adi Birrell & Mr. Kevin Kelly, Podiem.