New ITA Board Member

Paul Brown to step down from the ITA Board, as we welcome Mark Lumley. 

Mark Lumley is an obsessed rugby fan who has played in various national leagues around the world, bringing his passion for the sport to every team he joins. A family man and a farm boy at heart, he has spent the last 13 years as an executive at Nike and is now a senior leader for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Mark is eager to contribute his expertise and add value to the ITA Board.

We would like to thank and acknowledge Paul for all the work he has done to move the organisation forward as he steps down from the ITA Board. While Paul is stepping down as a Board Director, he will continue to be busy establishing the ITA High Performance structures and the growth of Touch in Ulster, amongst his many roles.

Many may not know, but Paul was instrumental in the ITA's origins converting the Marlay Park Tipsters from Tip to Touch. Their first real competition was to enter the Euros of 2006 in Edinburgh, which was an eye opener for all involved. To compete they knew they needed help. In 2008, Paul Brown arrived in Belfast. Paul found the new ITA/MPT Facebook page and appeared one Sunday morning in Marlay. It was clear the group had no idea of touch basics so offered his services to help.

Paul went on to coach the MPT/Ireland O40's to win gold in Bristol in 2010. The links were so strong that most of the group won O50's gold in Coff Harbour in 2015. It makes Paul one of our most successful coaches ever.

With Paul's vast experience of Touch from Queensland Touch in Australia, Paul, with a few other Tipsters set in motion to formalise the organisation and the ITA Board was created.

Paul was an elected Director from the outset. He ensured the development of good governance and structures needed to develop Touch across Ireland. His work continues but he has left the Board in great shape.

We wanted to thank for his input to the Board and dedication to the sport.