Meet Our Technical Director: Stephen Haggerty

We’re excited to introduce you to Stephen Haggerty, our new Technical Director for Ultimate Newfoundland and Labrador!

Over the last two decades, Stephen has built a career rooted in operations leadership, strategic planning and program delivery, across both private-sector and community sport environments. His diverse experiences have equipped him with unique insights into the challenges and opportunities within the sport sector. Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for community sport development to our organization.

A Proven Leader in Sport Development

Sports have been a big part of his life, helping bring people together and foster community. Stephen’s journey has spanned both private-sector and community sport environments, with a focus on supporting volunteer-led organizations. From 2016 to 2024, Stephen Haggerty served as Executive Director of the Avalon Arena Association, overseeing day-to-day operations, financial management, and facility planning for a community-based sport facility. His leadership was instrumental in “leading the acquisition and redevelopment of 55 Hebron Way into a second ice facility, significantly expanding access to sport in the region,” Stephen shared.

This hands-on experience has shaped his approach to fostering community engagement in sport. So, what’s Stephen’s biggest strength? ‘My ability to connect strategic planning with practical program delivery at the grassroots level,’ he says. He’s committed to supporting volunteers, strengthening local programming, and creating clear development pathways for athletes.

A Personal Fun Fact

His dedication to these goals is reflected in his extensive hands-on involvement in the community. Stephen has been actively involved in volunteering and coaching within minor baseball and minor hockey for several years. His passion for coaching is evident in the way he engages with young athletes, saying that “Coaching has been something I’ve really enjoyed, as it allows me to stay connected to the sport community while supporting young athletes in their development both on and off the field.”

Favorite Ultimate Moments

Since stepping into his role, one of Stephen’s favourite experiences so far has been attending the Awards Gala and connecting with the ultimate community. “It was a great chance to connect with athletes, coaches, volunteers, and board members, and to better understand the passion people have for growing the sport in Newfoundland and Labrador,” he reflects.

Another favorite moment came from being able to take in some of the programs and the Gale 4s Tournament. For him, “seeing the sport in action at different levels helped give me valuable insight into the strengths of the current system and the opportunities that exist to continue expanding participation at the grassroots level.” These moments have certainly solidified his commitment to and excitement for fostering the growth of the ultimate community across the province.

Vision for Ultimate NL

As our Technical Director, Stephen is eager to leverage his extensive experience at the provincial level to benefit grassroots growth of ultimate frisbee. His vision is clear: to expand ultimate’s reach by fostering partnerships, supporting local programming, and building sustainable systems for volunteers and participants. Stephen sees tremendous opportunity in working with schools, municipalities, and recreation organizations to introduce ultimate through clinics, equipment support, and teacher engagement. “Supporting entry-level programming helps create early positive experiences with the sport and builds a foundation for future league participation and club development,” he explains.

With this vision in mind, Stephen is poised to make a significant impact on our community. We’re thrilled to have Stephen on board as we continue to grow ultimate across our province!

Join us in welcoming him to the UNL team and community! We are sure that his commitment to community engagement will undoubtedly drive positive change and create more opportunities for our athletes across Newfoundland and Labrador to engage in the sport.

Get in touch with Stephen today!

Stephen Haggerty
Technical Director
technicaldirector@ultimatenl.ca