Sport NI congratulates the recipients within our sporting community who have been recognised in the 2025 Kings Birthdays Honours List.
Five people from Northern Ireland received honours with Terence Pateman being named an OBE for services to grassroots sport and community relations. Terence has served across seven decades for the Northern Ireland Amateur League as well as being a former Irish Football Association Vice-President.
Interim Chief Executive Richard Archibald said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to those within our sporting community who have been named in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
“This summer’s recipients highlight the many important roles within sport, from our world-class athletes and high-performance coaches to local volunteers. It is fantastic to see their dedication rewarded; they are true role models within our sporting community.”
Also on the honours list were four recipients of MBEs starting with motorcyclist Michael Dunlop who is acknowledged for his record of the most wins and podiums at the Isle of Man TT with 33.
Neil Booth from the Irish Bowls Association is the current High-Performance Coach and is recognised for both his success as a player and now for his work as a coach supporting the achievement of medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Jill Coulter-Sloan was awarded an MBE as the driving force and Head Coach of Ski Ability NI which provides opportunities for Para Athletes to get on the slopes. The club also gained recognition as two athletes from Ski Ability NI won gold at the Special Olympics Winter Games.
And finally, Margaret Mathieson is acknowledged as a vital volunteer after organising over 200 runs, such as parkrun, across local communities & sitting on the committee of the Belfast City Marathon.
Those receiving honours are:
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Mr Terence Edward Pateman, Chair, Northern Amateur Football League. For services to Grassroots Sport and to Community Relations.
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Mr Neil Booth. For services to Lawn Bowls.
Mrs Winifred (Jill) Elizabeth Coulter-Sloan. For services to Disability Sport.
Mr Michael Dunlop. For services to Motor Cycle Racing.
Mrs Margaret Petrina Mathieson, Staff Officer, Department of Finance, Northern Ireland Civil Service. For voluntary services to Athletics in Northern Ireland.
Photo Caption: Terry Pateman who has received an OBE for services to Grassroots Sport and to Community Relations. (Credit: Irish FA)