Part Time Staff

Roxy Thiompson - Part Time Instructor

Roxy has been with the centre for more than three years, starting off as a volunteer before becoming an official member of staff. Although she can usually be found caving, Roxy is also handy with a bow and arrow, having qualified in her GNAS archery. Currently a student at Queens University, she is studying for an MA in Translation Studies and is already fluent in French, Italian and Spanish. When away from her studies or from the BAC, Roxy can be found climbing, travelling or acting as a Girl Guide mentor.

Barbara Edgar- Instructor

Barbara joined the BAC in 2011, after already coming from a youth-work and scouting background. She is currently working towards her assessment in her CWA training but already she has completed qualifications in REC First Aid Level 2, a GNAS in archery, a RYA level 2 in Power Boating and more. She is also a holder of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and is a skilled expedition supervisor and assessor for the Duke of Edinburgh foundation.

Ruth Van Ry- Instructor

Ruth originally joined the team in 2007 as an administrator. After leaving for a temporary period, she continued to volunteer, working with the BAC Open Award at Silver level and achieving her Duke of Edinburgh Assesor's badge along the way. Last year she also completed her PGCE and is a newly Qualified Teacher of English. She continues to volunteer and work for the BAC as an Instructor and is looking forward to completing more training in Outdoor Education and gaining her ML qualification this year.

Simon Gawith - Instructor

Simon has been with the BAC for over 4 years, completing his Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. He is known as the centre's resident 'handyman', working intensively in particular around the Ardaluin site. He soon hopes to go to university in England to study Architecture.

Colleen Mann - Instructor

Having been resident at the BAC for more than 6 years, Colleen has went on to complete her Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. She is also a qualified abseil instructor and you will usually find her teetering on the edge of the Europa Hotel in Belfast!

Phil Maxwell - Instructor

Phil's youthwork and teaching background, plus over 13 years as a Scout leader provides him with the grounding for role at BAC. His qualifications include B.Ed (Hons), MLC, RCD Ropes Course Open Instructor Award and GNAT Leader. When not caving or hanging around on ropes, Phil enjoys spending time in the hills with his dog and off road driving.

Andy McSparron - Instructor

Andy has been volunteering at BAC for over 5 years. His roles include helping out in the abseils and the upkeep of the centres resources and buildings. Andy has been involved with young people for many years and he brings many skills and crafts to the centre.

John McCune - Instructor

John has been a member of the BAC part time staff for nearly two years now and you will find him leading various activities onsite. He is a very keen climber and has his SPA along with various other outdoor qualifications such as ML, TCL (Trail Cycle Leaders) and is a Level 2 kayak and canoe coach. When he is not working John can be found climbing various routes both at home and abroad.

Chris Logan - Instructor

Chris has been involved with the Centre for 3 years as both a volunteer and a part time member of staff. Chris can be found working on many activities at the Centre including caving and climbing. He will be leaving us in September to study medicine at Cambridge, but will be back at the Centre during his holidays!

Niky Magowan - Instructor

Nicky joined the Centre staff team in 2007 as a volunteer and then as a part time member of staff. Nicky is currently going into her second year at St. Mary's College studing primary teaching.

Nicky in her spare time is a very keen climber and can over be found on various rock faces in the Mournes!

Scotty McFarland: Instructor

Scotty joined the BAC team in September 2007 as a volunteer and in May 2008 he became a part time member of the staff team. He has a range of outdoor qualifications such as RYA level 2 Power Boating and REC HSE Standard First Aid Level 3. After studying a BSc (Hons) in Geography at UUC, Scotty continued on to work within the education sector in Northern Ireland. Scotty is often found in the cave system, on the climbing wall or hanging around on the high ropes course. Outside of work, Scotty is a keen scout leader, and enjoys canoeing, mountain expeditions and also is involved in youth work within his church.

Alex Mathers - Instructor

Alex volunteered at the centre for two years before venturing into instructing. He currently holds the in-house climbing and high ropes training provided by the BAC and he also holds the GNAS archery leader qualification. Currently studying a sports diploma at Lisburn College, Alex hopes to study a degree in outdoor education for the future and also to pursue a stronger working relationship within the role of youthwork. Keen on the outdoors, primarily climbing, he is also an avid rugby player. Currently, Alex is about to undertake his Level 1 UKCC Coach Paddling award.