Adam McKeown, Chloe Wilson, Shauna O’Neill and Gary Kelly (Photo L-R) will represent Team NI in Lawn Bowls from 24 July – 2 August.

All four have previous Commonwealth Games experience with Kelly, who will participate in the Men’s Singles and Pairs, competing in his fourth Games and looking to make it a perfect set of medals after winning silver and bronze in 2022 and 2010.

McKeown will partner Gary Kelly in the Men’s Pairs and already has a Commonwealth Games Gold to his name with victory as part of the Men’s Fours in Birmingham in 2022.

Joining them will be Shauna O’Neill in the Women’s Singles at her second games and Chloe Wilson will form a Women’s Pairs with O’Neill, also competing at her second Commonwealth Games.

Hear from all four below about what it means to compete in Glasgow and represent Team NI in what they describe as the biggest accolade in their sport.

Team NI is supported through Sport NI thanks to funding from The National Lottery.

The former Northern Ireland captain sits down with host Hugh Campbell to discuss her career, the highs, the lows and the growth of women’s football in Northern Ireland.

Callaghan played 91 times at international level and recently retired after a 20-year career at Cliftonville Ladies but continues to share her passion at the Irish FA promoting women and girls football across NI.

This journey began at the Divis flats with Callaghan often out playing football against the boys, she said: “I remember sitting in living room, looking out the window watching my neighbour next door. She was kicking the ball against the wall and I wanted to ask her if I could play but I was nervous. I got the courage and asked if I could play and that was the beginning of my love for football.”

“I was called a tomboy and I embraced that. I felt most confident playing sport and I was good at it so got respect in the street. One time I was playing against a boy my age and we were playing one on one. I beat him and he was so frustrated, he gave me a boot and sprained my ankle. I used to be so proud beating the boys.”

These humble beginnings were the pathway to an international career which resulted in captaining Northern Ireland at the 2022 Women’s UEFA European Championships, the pinnacle of women’s football in NI to date with it being their only major competition appearance.

It could have been so different if not for a key conversation as Marissa explains: “In 2004, I got the letter to invite me to trials, but I didn’t go until 2010. Reason being I was just enjoying working, playing and the social side of life.

“It wasn’t until I was 26 and I had to go to the Irish FA for work and Alfie Wylie (NI Women’s Manager at the time) saw me and said I want you in the team, but it was always like a joke comment between us. He got me in his office though that day and gave me an ultimatum.

“He said he wanted me in the World Cup qualifiers, and to be part of it. You aren’t getting younger and need to take the opportunity. I just left and thought he’s right, this could be my last chance. He sparked something in me that day.”

The distinguished career ended last year in dramatic fashion after receiving a red card meaning she missed the final game of her career, but Callaghan says her international career ending at 91 caps was the hardest, she said: “In 2023, I lost my nephew to suicide which was a tough time.

“We had just got a new manager in (Tanya Oxtoby) and I remember playing Malta and I was on the pitch but not feeling on the pitch. I knew I was struggling. Decision I made was to step down as captain as I needed to focus on me and the team deserved someone to take them through the next stage.

“But then, the next few camps I didn’t get any game time, then I was out of the team, and it was a tough time. I was grieving but also lost my spot on the international team.”

Hear more about Marissa’s final year and her plans for the future by searching for Sport NI Athlete Stories wherever you listen to podcasts.

Clips from the podcast will also be available on YouTube as educational pieces for athletes.

The Athlete Award recipient, funded by the National Lottery, has been part of the GB Wheelchair Basketball Under 23 and Under 30 teams and is hoping to compete for Northern Ireland at his second Commonwealth Games later this year.

It is of no surprise that Nathan took to sport as early as the age of six with Mum, Mary McCabe (née Rice), being a two-time Paralympian who won 200m bronze at Atlanta 1996 and 400m silver in Sydney four years later. He said: “My mother was a two time Paralympian. Four world records, two medals. She is a pretty cool woman to live up to standards with and I decided to follow.

“So, I started playing basketball when I was six. We were playing for Knights Wheelchair Basketball Club at Antrim Forum at the time. I’ve tried a whole load of different sports and the only thing about basketball is you go into a hall with people who are similar categories to yourself as a wheelchair user.

“When you are playing with your teammates, you’re not disabled. That’s the only way to put it, you’re free. You’re doing a sport you love with people you like, it’s an amazing feeling.”

Away from the court, the 22-year-old keeps up a physical lifestyle by working full time on a farm doing groundwork whilst also being a mechanic. A situation that arose through a team mate at basketball.

Keeping fit and competing in sport is clearly a passion which doesn’t just help on the court, but off it, he explains: “Sport gives me achievements in life that I can look back on when I’m older and be like ‘wow I’ve done that’. It’s also prolonged my life with fitness, it’s social interaction, there’s no negative to playing a sport.

“The only hurdle in sport is not doing it and that’s the end of the story there. If you’re curious about a sport there’s plenty of research you can do and if you want to get involved just reach out to a local club and they’ll always be open with open arms because sport is there for everybody.

“But when I started sport, I was always the quiet kid, when I started out, I wouldn’t speak to anybody, I would sit in the corner and wait till everyone went in and I’d go in head down, wouldn’t speak. Then I got my confidence back and it started flowing with everybody and the craic was good. For young people getting into sport, I’d say just go ahead, try it. You can’t get better if you’re sitting at home.”

The Sport NI Sports Institute athlete scored the winning basket to send the 3×3 Northern Ireland Wheelchair Basketball team to the 2022 Commonwealth Games and is now hoping for lighting to strike twice to reach the 2026 event. The team travel to the qualifiers in Nottingham with just one place available from Europe to make it to Glasgow this summer.

It will be a tough ask as he explained: “We’re playing against England which is going to be one of our hardest battles yet. The standard they play at is incredible. Then we’re playing Cyprus and Wales. Wales is seen as an underdog but then you play against them and we’re like ‘woah, this team’s got talent.’

“If we qualify, we have a big summer ahead of us, so our preparation for the past three years has all led up to this one moment for this one weekend. It’ll be my second Commonwealth Games so if I get there and we do well, that’s something that I can always look back on.”

Sport NI’s Athlete Award funding is made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise around £33 million every week for National Lottery-funded projects.

The Hockey Ireland keeper, who has over 130 international caps, shared her experiences in an open and honest conversation with Hugh Campbell on the Sport NI Athlete Stories podcast.

McFerran was a key figure in the Ireland Hockey team that claimed silver at the 2018 World Cup where and was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament. The Larne keeper has been across the globe in her club career from Louisville to spending seven years in Holland and now plying her trade for Surbiton in London.

Ayeisha takes us back to her childhood when she was playing football, doing athletics, competing in Irish dancing and the sport that would give her a career, hockey.

Sport has almost been a lifeline for Ayeisha, especially during childhood. She said: “I did every sport possible. You name it, I will have tried it. I might not have been good at it, but I did everything.

“I had a lot of family trouble at home. My mum was sick and it was a single parent household. There were four siblings. And for me, sport was almost my release. It was my way to feel normal.

“It was my way to make friends and feel connected to people around me. It took a label or an identity away that I put on myself or I didn’t want to have. Sport was always the thing that was there for me. From a very young age, I was saying I love this. I want to do this.”

McFerran has a story that showcases bravery, commitment, perseverance and a character to never give up and one that should encourage everyone, whatever your age.

Ayeisha’s mum sadly passed away when she was 14 and Ayeisha ended up in foster care but she continued to play Hockey in the Ireland underage setups, travelling from the outskirts of Larne to Jordanstown by train and then doing a full day at school.

In recent years, McFerran has been dealing with injuries and has recently been rehabilitating at the Sport NI Sports Institute but is now back between the posts.

She explained: “When I was younger, I was very aggressive, very loud and boisterous. I think a lot of that came from what was happening off the pitch within my personal life.

“Sport was a release. It was an outlet for me. It was somewhere where I could feel normal. (because of my circumstances) I was always fighting to prove myself, even being able to get to training.”

“I think initially it was my identity, I’m Ayeisha the hockey player, I need to do this to get out of Larne, I need to do this to have an opportunity at life. And it probably wasn’t until quite recently…where I’ve sat down and thought what am I doing with myself?

“Now, it’s just sport. I love it. Don’t get me wrong. I put in so much effort to do what I do and I’m in such a privileged position. But ultimately, I’m healthy. I have a roof over my head. I have people around me that care for me. I care for myself.”

Find out more about Ayeisha’s fascinating life where she talks further about making her international debut at 18, the psychology of goalkeeping and the motivation she has to get back on the pitch in an Ireland jersey.

You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music as well as watch each episode on YouTube. To find the latest episodes just search for Sport NI Athlete Stories.

Clips from the podcast will also be available on YouTube as educational pieces for athletes.

Rebecca Hope, Interim Director of Sport at Sport NI said: “The increasing rates of violence against women and girls are truly shocking. All women and girls have the right to feel safe and supported at home, in the workplace and in sport.

“Over the past year our Be Seen, Be Heard, Belong campaign has been championing women in sport and highlighting the many incredible women and girls who have overcome adversity to excel in their sports.

“Sport has a responsibility to do more to protect women and girls. Sport should be a safe place for everyone, but we know many women and girls have experienced misogyny and abuse within their sports clubs.

“Sports Governing Bodies and clubs have a key role to play in ending violence against women and girls; challenging mindsets and behaviours and providing a safe space. We have supported the sector with Domestic Abuse in Sport awareness training with Women’s Aid and our new Adult Safeguarding Service in partnership with Volunteer Now is providing vital advice and support.

“We all need to do more to ensure that sport is a safe and welcoming place for women and girls.” #BeSeenBeHeardBelong

Part time teacher and Heptathlete Anna McCauley’s sport story has been a journey alongside her Mum and current coach, Maureen.

The Sport NI Athlete Award recipient, funded by the National Lottery, has scored a consideration standard for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and is fourth on the all-time Irish list.

But the journey didn’t start as you’d expect as Anna explained: “I started athletics in primary school just by doing sports days but at my first sports day, I didn’t even want to run. I was crying. I just wanted to hold the ribbon instead.

“By P6 though I was happy competing and went down to the local club, City of Lisburn which is still my club now. My Mum has been a big influence and did athletics growing up herself. So, she had interest in me going down to the track.”

The sport bug soon took over and Anna was tackling all sports. She continued: “I started doing individual events, like hurdles and long jump and sprints when I was about 14 and then there was an opportunity to compete and represent Ireland.

“You had to qualify from the Ulster meets and then you’d go down to compete against the other girls in Ireland so that’s when I got my first Irish vest for the pentathlon when I was 15, then I went on to compete in the hurdles at the Youth Commonwealth Games in the Bahamas. I was specialising in hurdles, but then started thinking, oh, I’m good at the other events too.”

The beginnings of a career in multi sports began and Anna went to University in Sheffield with the inspiration of Lady Mary Peters behind her. Anna saw continual progression whilst in Sheffield and competed at her first Commonwealth Games in 2022 finishing in sixth place.

Now Anna is back in Belfast working as a supply primary school teacher to support her athletics career after completing her PGCE last year whilst still training.

Competing alongside elite athletes and receiving specialist coaching since moving home for each event has seen her performances improve. She said: “I’m newly qualified primary school teacher, so I’m currently working as a supply. I go into schools around Belfast, which works well with my athletics.

“I can choose when I want to work and the school I’m with currently in Belfast is very understanding. I think being part time this year has helped with the support of Sport NI. Compared to last year, I was qualifying, I was doing my PGCE, I was in placement five days a week and then training six days a week on top of that.”

Being an elite athlete requires sacrifices and meeting the high expectations to compete against the best in the world, especially when combining it with a professional life away from the track.

But for Anna, that challenge is one she relishes: “I do enjoy it, but it is a lot of time and energy and support, especially from my parents.

“A lot of people do say that to me, how do you keep motivated and how do you train so much? But I don’t really see it as a sacrifice because I enjoy it so much.

“I love the thrill of competing and I love training. Me and my mum come to the track and just seeing how much I can progress in sessions, I get my joy from that, so I can’t really see my life outside athletics right now. I have a goal in mind and I’m going to keep going.”

You would assume that all athletes just started doing sport, were good at it and just kept practising. But for Anna, it was a journey of self-perseverance to overcome challenges and the metaphorical hurdles she faced as that scared primary school pupil.

We asked Anna what advice she would give to young athletes. She said, “It is crazy when you think back to how much I’ve changed. I think sport brings out so much confidence. I think staying consistent at one thing can really build your character, and I think I’d be a completely different person if I wasn’t in sport.

“It brings you so much joy, and if you are that young person in athletics or any other sport, keep going and don’t get upset. Think of the bigger picture, think of where you could be, and have those idols to look up to and think, oh, why can’t that be me one day?

“If you believe in yourself, then you can achieve whatever you want to put your mind to.”

Sport NI’s Athlete Award funding is made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise around £33 million every week for National Lottery-funded projects.

The new pilot service has been developed to address a gap in safeguarding provision for adults within the sporting sector and will run until March 2027. It will provide advice, guidance and practical support to sports clubs, governing bodies and organisations in managing adult safeguarding concerns and promoting a strong culture of welfare and protection. 

Safeguarding remains a high priority for Sport NI as it works to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, ability or background, can enjoy sport in safe and supportive environments. The Adult Safeguarding Service adds to Sport NI’s existing partnership with the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU), which supports safeguarding arrangements for children and young people in sport. Together, these services will help provide a broadened approach to Safe Sport across Northern Ireland. 

Rebecca Hope, Interim Director of Sport, Sport NI said: “We are delighted to launch our new Adult Safeguarding Service in partnership with Volunteer Now, reinforcing our commitment to safe sport. This service will ensure that participants, coaches and volunteers are protected from harm and supported throughout their sporting journey. Our goal is to create a positive, inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can enjoy sport confidently, feel valued, and truly thrive.”  

The introduction of the service follows engagement with the sector, which highlighted the need for additional adult safeguarding support. 

It also reflects wider developments across the UK, including recommendations from recent reviews and strategies focused on duty of care and ending violence against women and girls, as well as anticipated legislative changes such as Northern Ireland’s proposed Adult Protection Bill. 

Ruth Mulholland, Safeguarding Manager at Volunteer Now added: “The launch of this service marks an important milestone for the sports sector and represents a significant step forward in improving adult safeguarding standards within sporting organisations.  

“Sport should be a place where adults feel safe and strong safeguarding practices will help deliver on that principle. Volunteer Now appreciates the opportunity to provide this service and is very much looking forward to supporting the sector in this important area of work.” 

For more information on the service, please visit: https://www.sportni.net/performance/safe-sport/adult-safeguarding/  

That’s the story of Grace Davison. The recently turned 18-year-old has spent the last ten years dedicating her life to becoming a swimmer and before she could drive, she could call herself an Olympian.

The Sport NI Athlete Award recipient has a fascinating story which showcases the dedication and decisions needed to make it at the elite level of sport. But what was the first motivation for Grace to dive into the pool?

It was her sister as she explained: “My sister swam for Ireland and she’s four years older than me. I think like most younger sisters we want to copy our older sister. I wanted to follow what she did and that’s how it started.

“She qualified for the European Youth Olympic Festival with Ireland so my whole family went to watch. I think seeing that competition, watching all the sports, it all struck something in me that I really wanted to pursue swimming and see if I could be as good as her and compete in these kind of events.”

Dreams turned into reality when Grace was 14 and she got to compete at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, an experience that is daunting for most adult elite athletes, let alone a teenager: “I would say I enjoyed every second of it, but it was a hard two weeks. I was 14 in this big village with so many older people fending for myself really.

“Walking past Olympians, world medallists, world record holders. It’s not something that happens every day. Having dinner beside them. It made me want to get back into training, push on and hopefully be like them one day and I knew with my coach (Curtis Coulter) I could really turn into something special.”

It was this mindset from a young age that has driven Grace on to fulfil her own expectations. The Bangor swimmer has sacrificed many parts of her teenage years to ensure she has given herself the best chance of success in the pool. She said: “When I was younger, I just wanted to do stuff with my friends, go out shopping, go to their house or sleepovers but those things can’t happen all the time.

“I do sacrifice a lot of my social life, but I have an incredible group of friends who really understand my sport. They understand what it takes and when I say no to a night out they understand.

“But, I think what makes a good athlete is not completely sacrificing everything because you’re going to burn out and probably end up not enjoying the sport because you’ve missed out on so much.

“I always have the drive though that I want to succeed and I want to go to trials and qualify for Commonwealth Games, Europeans and more.”

What is this routine that Grace follows every day? And how does she hold up to her classmates? She explains: “So, I swim anywhere from 8 to 10 sessions a week. I train 6.30am to 8.30am most mornings so I’m here from about 6am doing stretching, pre-poll work and then stretching after as well so that takes up a big chunk of your day. Then I go to school and afterwards I’ll go to the physio, gym and do another swim session in the late afternoon.

“I sometimes think some of my friends are more tired because they go to bed later or they’ve been doing other things but getting up in the morning, I feel more energy going into school because I’ve been up longer. Other times I’m tired and I’m just keeping my eyes open but it’s trying to balance that.”

2026 is now underway with Davison recently winning medals at the McCullagh International in the 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle and 200m Backstroke ahead of the Irish Open Championships where she’ll aim to swim a Commonwealth Games qualifying time to be selected for TeamNI.

2026 is another step in the journey towards the 2028 LA Olympic Games: “The focus is the Commonwealth Games. I like to split my four-year cycle to Olympics in half so it’s kind of two years to Commonwealth and two years to the Olympics.

“I’d love to make a final at the Commonwealth Games and that’s the aim in every event that I will be competing in because I have a few this year as well as Europeans with Ireland.”

Sport NI’s Athlete Award funding is made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise over £30m for good causes every week.

The Newry-born heptathlete finishes her conversation with Sport NI Athlete Stories host, Hugh Campbell, by detailing the turbulent circumstances around her biggest medal to date.

After having already won three medals, Kate was in contention for her fourth of the year, only to be hit with a knee injury during the Long Jump on day one of the Heptathlon.

The Sport NI Sports Institute athlete shares about how she dealt with the injury, what went into her being able to not only finish the competition but continue to break her PBs and claim a World silver medal.

Some of highlights include modifying her javelin approach in just a matter of hours, how she dealt with the final event of the 800m with a medal up for grabs and the emotions she contended with during and after the event concluded.

Kate is back in action this weekend in the Women’s Pentathlon at the World Indoor Athletics Championships where last year she won silver. This year, she will be up against USA athlete Anna Hall who won gold at the World Outdoor Championships.

You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music as well as watch each episode on YouTube. To find the latest episodes just search for Sport NI Athlete Stories.

Clips from the podcast will also be available on YouTube as educational pieces for athletes.

Bethany is well known for being one of our most distinguished athletes. In the pool she is a multiple Paralympic champion and out of the water, Bethany has become a Mummy. Just over a year after giving birth, she made her return to competition in September 2025. It was a return in true champion style, claiming a silver medal in the Women’s S14 100m Backstroke Final at the World Para Swimming Championships. Life has certainly changed for Bethany; she no longer naps whenever she wants between training. It’s now her daughter Charlotte’s time.

Bethany has discovered a new kind of peace and appreciation for swimming. Away from late night wake ups and Mummy commitments throughout the day she finds solace in the pool,
“I just like being in the water and having my own time. It’s lovely and quiet. Put your head under the water. You don’t hear a thing.”

Dr Bethany Firth OBE Under water swimming

Bethany has two teams behind her, one is an elite group of professionals as competes on the world stage, the other is her family, and specifically her mum. Charlotte enjoys splashing around in the water and Bethany wants to share the joy of sport with her. She has a newfound appreciation for her own Mummy, “I couldn’t swim or do anything without Mum. My Mum does so much for me and Charlotte. I hope I am half as good as my Mummy.”

Bethany’s advice to women returning to sport is to take your time and be kind,
“It’s amazing for women to come back. Don’t rush it. I think it’s more about being patient with yourself and giving yourself time. I’m a lot kinder to myself. Just enjoy it and enjoy the process.”

Lisa Gordon, Strength and Conditioning Coach at the Sport NI Sports Institute, has been working with Bethany for years. Lisa told us how incredible it has been to support Bethany through her journey into motherhood and return to sport. Lisa said, “it’s been a pleasure to work with her and to get her back to World Championships and winning medals. I’m really proud of her”.

At home, Bethany’s focus is firmly on her daughter Charlotte but in the water, she’s a competitor, Bethany the swimmer.