Lifetime Irish cycling stalwart Jack Watson very sadly passes away

The death has been announced of lifetime Irish cycling stalwart, and Cycling Ireland founder, Jack Watson. His very sad passing has been announced this morning by the national governing body.

“It is with great sadness that Cycling Ireland has learned of the passing of Jack Watson MBE who died this morning after a short illness,” Cycling Ireland said.

“Cycling Ireland would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Rea, sons Paul and Alan and all his extended family. Everyone involved in cycling is aware of the immense contribution Jack made to cycling on the island and he will be deeply missed.”

Jack was involved as an administrator in the Northern Ireland Cycling Federation from the age of 18 following in his father’s footsteps. After a racing career which entailed a period of living and racing in England he dedicated himself to administration and since 1970 had continuously participated in national cycling affairs.

He was involved in the formation of the Tripartite Committee and served on the board of Cycling Ireland since it’s formation in 1988, becoming its president in 1990 and secretary in 1995.

As a race official he, along with the late Ben McKenna, was instrumental in establishing a single set of technical regulations and the college of commissaires.

He became an international commissaire and doping control officer in 1986, the latter role he still fills today. In 2003 the UCI acknowledged his contribution to cycling at national and International level with it’s Gold Merit Award.

Other posts he has held include:

• Chairman Northern Ireland Cycling Federation
• Chairman Ulster Cycling Federation
• Chairman Irish Cycling Tripartite Committee
• President Federation of Irish Cyclists (original name of Cycling Ireland)
• Secretary Irish Cycling Tripartite Committee
• Delegate N.I. Commonwealth Games council on behalf of NICF
• Delegate Irish Olympic Council on behalf of Cycling Ireland
• Delegate European Cycling Union (UEC) on behalf of cycling Ireland
• Delegate International Cycling Union (UCI). One of 14 delegates representing the European Cycling Union
• Honorary Secretary Cycling Ireland since 1995 – re-elected every two years by nomination and vote of members
• Honorary Vice President Cycling Ireland since 1995
• Technical Consultant Tour of Almaty (KAZ)

Locally, Jack was founder chairman of Toyota North Down Cycling Club. Furthermore, he held the position of treasurer, race secretary and committee member within the club.

Jack travelled extensively with various Northern Ireland and Irish teams. He did so in the 70s and 80s as either manager or mechanic. His excursions included numerous World Championships and the 1984 Olympic Games.

After qualifying as an International commissaire in Colorado Springs in 1986 Jack officiated in many countries throughout the world. He has also acted as a commissaire at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

And he also filled that role at the 1998 Junior World Track Championships in Cuba, the 2000 Senior World road Championships in France and over Easter 2004 at the World Cup Track Meeting in Manchester. His son, Paul, is also an international commissaire and is set to officiate at the Paralympics in coming weeks.

Jack had to retire in 2004 as a UCI appointed commissaire at international events. He did so as commissaires are no longer appointed to international events after they turned 65 years.

He became a doping control officer for UK Sport and Sport Ireland and was involved with the Northern Ireland Sports Council in the mid 80’s in setting an anti doping policy for all sports in the province.

In 2003 Jack’s commitment to cycling both nationally and internationally was recognised by the UCI. He was presented with the UCI’s gold merit Award at the UCI Congress in Hamilton, Canada.

Ten years later Cycling Ireland initiated a Hall of Fame in recognition of those who had played a major part in shaping Irish cycling. Jack was one of the 20 initial persons inducted.

From all of us at stickybottle, we would like to extend our sympathies to the Watson family and all of Jack’s loved ones and friends throughout the country and overseas.