Niall Woods has over 30 years of entirely unique experience in World Rugby, guaranteeing trusted expertise for our clients and partners – 10 years as a player both amateur and professional, 10 years representing players collectively at Rugby Players Ireland (RPI, formerly IRUPA) and Rugby Players Association (RPA), and over 10 years representing players individually.
In 2001 Niall was forced to retire prematurely from professional rugby due to injury, highlighting to him the precarious nature of professional sport. He then started representing players for the RPA in London before securing historic part-funding from the IRFU to start RPI in 2003. He left RPI in 2011 and started Navy Blue Sports which he has driven to become Ireland’s leading full service sports agency representing an enviable list of Ireland’s top sporting talent.
In 2024, after 13 years in business, Navy Blue Sports diversified to become Ireland’s only full-service communications, sponsorship, and talent management agency.
Began the year working with our newest client, Allianz, on their Consumer and Sponsorship communications, having won their business in a competitive pitch.
NBS expansion continues with PR & Comms expert Neal Cummins joining from Sky to head up our PR & Communications wing - making NBS Ireland's only full-service Communications, Sponsorship & Talent Management agency.
Team NBS continued to expand with Gemma Kenny taking on the role of Head of Operations, former clients Jordi Murphy and Ronan O'Mahony starting as Rugby Agents as well as Robert White coming in to the Sponsorship role.
Navy Blue Sports celebrates 10 years in business and continues to secure premium sports talent including Jamie Heaslip, Linda Djougang, Ross Byrne and Harry Byrne.
Despite COVID-19 NBS drives forward and creates a dedicated sponsorship division headed up by sports sponsorship expert Mallorie Ronan.
The agency enjoys continued commercial growth. Deals done with AerCap, DHL, Goodbody, Liberty Insurance, PWC and Sky Sports.
Agency growth continues with the addition of the NBS Communications and Events division headed up by PR specialist Gemma Kenny.
Garry Ringrose becomes only the second pro rugby player to be sponsored by Nike in Ireland.
Ireland Rugby Captain Fiona Coghlan signs as our first female athlete.
Under Armour's first individual ambassador role in Ireland secured for Jordi Murphy.
Major sponsorship consultancy accounts won with Rabobank and Volkswagen.
Talent side, we welcomed transformational speaker, mindfulness expert, and multi-platinum musician Niall Breslin to the agency.
Talent side, Ireland's Women's XV Player of the Year Aoife Wafer came on board as did former Olympian & RTÉ pundit David Gillick.
Client side Ireland out-half Jack Crowley came to NBS for representation as did World Champion boxer Amy Broadhurst & Paralympian rower Katie O'Brien, copper fastening NBS as the leader in women in sport representation.
NBS welcomed Ladies Footballer of the Year 2021 Vikki Wall, Munster Rugby's Patrick Campbell and Cricket Ireland Women's Captain, Laura Delany as clients.
Geordan Murphy comes on board as a client while NBS also secures James Coughlan to Toulon as Defense Coach and Kieran Campbell to Ealing Trailfinders as Backs Coach.
Major book deal secured for Richie Sadlier. His autobiography goes on to win Sports Book of the Year.
NBS launches Women’s division, headed up by sporting legend Fiona Coghlan. Clients include World Rugby Referee of the Year Joy Neville and Mayo Footballer Sarah Rowe.
Navy Blue Sports negotiates Fiona Coghlan to be the first woman to commentate on men's rugby in Ireland for RTÉ Sport.
Client side.....
Double Paralympian gold medallist at London 2012, Mark Rohan joins Navy Blue Sports.
Leading voices of Irish sport sign up with Navy Blue Sports - commentator Dave McIntyre, RTÉ Sport's Darragh Maloney, followed by leading football pundit Richie Sadlier.
Navy Blue Sports is born. Jordi Murphy & James Coughlan are the first clients to sign with the agency.
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