Former Belfast High School head elected to top post in Irish Rugby

A former headmaster of Belfast High School has been appointed President of the Irish Rugby Football Union'“ the highest office in Irish rugby.
Stephen Hilditch.  INLT 29-660-CONStephen Hilditch.  INLT 29-660-CON
Stephen Hilditch. INLT 29-660-CON

Renowned international referee Stephen Hilditch, an Honorary Life member of Grosvenor RFC, Belfast was enrolled as the 129th President of the IRFU at its annual Council meeting, held recently at the Aviva Stadium.

One of Ireland’s most eminent international referees, the retired schoolteacher is the first member of Grosvenor RFC to be elected to the prestigious post, after a distinguished contribution to the affairs of the Ulster Branch and IRFU over a period of almost 30 years.

Following early retirement forced by chronic back injury as a player with Larne RFC, Stephen turned to refereeing and in a celebrated career; he was selected for 18 Test matches and over 40 touch judge appointments.

This included participation in the 1987, ‘91 and ‘95 Rugby World Cup tournaments and highlighted by taking charge of the New Zealand v Scotland third/fourth place play off in 1991 and the semi final between England and New Zealand in 1995.

Stephen also refereed a number of Five Nations championship matches, including an infamous clash between France and England in Paris in 1992 where he sent two players off.

Appointed to the Ulster Branch in 1987, he was Chairman of the Schools Committee for a 10 years period and was also a member of the Finance Committee (2004-2015) and the Management Committee (2005-2015) and was elected President of the Ulster Branch in 2003-2004.

Joining the IRFU Committee in 2004, Stephen has since held a number of key positions.

He was as a member of the IRFU’s Management Committee between 2009 and 2015, Chairman of the Rugby Standing Committee (formerly the Domestic Game Committee), Chairman of the Referees and Women’s sub-committees and he also sat on the Finance, Schools, Strategic planning and Laws Advisory sub committees.

A member of the Sports Council of Northern Ireland and vice Chairman for a four year period, Stephen’s distinguished career as a schoolteacher included appointments as head of the Physics Department in Grosvenor Grammar School (1968-1983), vice Principal of Wallace High School (1983-1987) and headmaster of Belfast High School between 1987 and 2006.

Married to Anne, Stephen has two sons, Peter and Andrew.