It is with a heavy heart we inform members of the recent passing of Mike Poirrier.

Mike was a Norths member for 27 years, including 10 as president and nine as vice president, standing down in 1984. On Poirrier’s retirement, club secretary Jim McGrath said: “During his time Norths has consolidated its position as one of the major athletics clubs of NSW with a firm financial base.” 

Mike was also an athlete, club captain, committee member, and honorary auditor and was the driving force behind the amalgamation of the men’s and women’s clubs in the 1983-84 season. In 1958 and 1960 he was awarded the Hanman Trophy for being Norths’ Best Club Man. UTS Norths life member Peter Douglas said: “The club flourished under Mike’s leadership to become one of the leading clubs, both athletically and financially, in NSW.” 

Mike was also a sprints coach at Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview, for 33 years. Past President David Archbold OAM said Poirrier was instrumental in establishing the relationship between the college and the athletics club which still exists today. In the 1970s and 1980s, Norths ran cross-country events at the college. Mike’s grandson Denny Moore, a Riverview student, was also a club member in the 2010s before moving to the USA to study. Mike’s daughter Anne-Marie said, “When Den won the GPS 100m, Dad could have burst with pride. And seeing Den in red and black was a true joy.”

The Mike Poirrier Trophy is awarded annually to the Club Person of the Year. 

Mike and his grandson, Denny attended the recent launch of the UTS North's history, ‘All Points NORTH’ in 2022, and as Anne-Marie says “Dad loved Norths with his heart and soul. We all grew up at his heel at Rotary Field.”

Please contact the Club at info@utsnorthsath.com.au for funeral details.

Photo taken at the launch of ‘All Points NORTH’ - L-R: Mike Poirrier with club stalwarts Ross Douglas, David Archbold, Angus Stewart, Peter Douglas