The 26th of April marked what would have been Nevin Spence’s twenty fifth birthday. The young Ulster player cruelly taken from his family with his father and his brother. His sister only narrowly escaped the horrific events on his family farm in County Down.
Rather than remember the tragedy of that day I thought I would tell you about the great things Nevin did for club and country.
Nevin was an exceptional sportsman and had the opportunity to play professional football as well as Rugby. He represented Northern Ireland Under 16s. His club rugby was played in the popular club of Ballynahinch in County Down. A club side that valued and nurtured Nevin and pushed him to earn his place at the Ulster Academy. Ulster director of Rugby at the time, Ireland and Ulster hero David Humphrey said this of Nevin. “He was born in Ulster, he came through school in Ulster, he played Rugby for Ulster, and all he wanted to do for the remainder of his career was to stay here and win trophies and be successful with Ulster.” Nevin had played a number of games for the Irish Wolfhounds and was selected in the senior squad for the Six Nations competition in 2011. Ulster had identified Nevin as a future Ireland centre and in my opinion a replacement for Brian O Driscoll.
The loss of Nevin was clearly felt from Ravenhill across the world. Leinster fans sang the Famous Stand up for the Ulsterman, and a number of clubs in the southern hemisphere held a minute’s silence for the player. The provincial sides came in their droves to the Memorial service held at Ravenhill. At the end of a moving service the stadium broke out with their song, truly uniting in sympathy for the Spence family.
In Northern Ireland the loss of Noel, Graham and Nevin was felt by not only the Rugby community but by the very close knit Farming community too. ‘Norn Iron’ supporters often sing at Windsor Park about ‘Our wee Country.’ With the loss of three of its sons in one tragic accident this was proven. Everybody knew the Spences it seemed.
The Ulster Physio, Gareth Robinson has written on his bag, used on all match nights, ‘Nevin Spence. Always with us.’ The province has opened the Nevin Spence Centre, which is was part of the redevelopment. This is designed as an education and Heritage centre. The main idea of this centre is promote Healthy Lifestyles and Sporting Excellences regardless of the political divide. Its is due to open fully in September 2015.
A sevens team has been created to raise valuable funds to two provincial charities. The now famous NGN (Nevin, Graham, Noel) 7’s regularly compete and raise awareness and has the support of the Ulster Branch of the IRFU. Their shirts go on general sale quite often, and the funds are funnelled into the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children and the Oscar Knox Appeal. Both charities meant a lot to Nevin and the Ulster Squad.
He is clearly sorely missed around the community, and will be forever.
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