Stewart Joyce has given a lifetime of service to Cork basketball on and off the court both as a ref and an administrator

It was a very proud moment for Stewart Joyce when he received the Cork Indoor Sports Award for Basketball recently in the Metropole Hotel.

This award came as recognition for his years of service to the sport in various capacities, and Joyce was well overdue the recognition.

Stewart had now been involved in the game of basketball for over a half of a century, as a player, a referee, and as an administrator with the Cork Juvenile and Senior Basketball Boards.

“When you give so many years to a sport and an organisation that you love, it is never about receiving recognition, but it is certainly very special when your contribution is acknowledged by your peers,” Stewart said.

“I have been involved in basketball for many years, as a referee, administrator and board member, and I have met so many wonderful people along the way.

“The award also made me reflect on the amount of time, work and commitment that has gone into basketball over the years, but most importantly, on the people who have influenced me throughout that journey."

Joyce played with Neptune as a youngster before he first got involved in administration when he joined the juvenile board as their treasure and from then on he filled different roles over many years.

Then when his good friend, the late Billy Coffey, asked him to come on to the men’s board, he jumped at the chance to go in as the Child Protection and Liaison Officer. 

Stewart held that position until last season when the club's surprisingly failed to nominate him again for the position, and for some bizarre reason the men’s board decided not to co-opt him on to the position he held for the last ten years. 

That decision really hurt Joyce, however, he is now over the disappointment of that, and is happy refereeing and spending more time with his family, especially his new grandson Archie-Declan.

“I became involved with the juvenile board and served there for approximately 10 years, including a number of those years as treasurer. 

"I then spent approximately five years on the men’s board, where I held the position of Child Protection and Liaison Officer.

“Being the Child Protection/ Liaison Officer was a role I was particularly conscious of because, when you’re involved in sport at any level, the welfare and protection of the players has to be at the centre of everything you do.

“Billy Coffey was a very important person in my basketball journey and someone I had enormous respect for.

“For me, personally, Billy was a mentor. 

"I looked up to him enormously, not only because of his knowledge and understanding of the rules of the game, but because of the way he conducted himself. 

"He had strong morals and values and believed in doing things the right way. 

"Those qualities stayed with me and influenced the way I approached my own involvement in basketball.

“I began my refereeing journey in 1979 in the Parochial Hall and it was the beginning of what was to become a huge part of my life.

“One of my proudest moments as a referee was being named National Referee of the Year in 2020.

“I was also very lucky to have won the CCBOA Referee of the Year in 1982, 2008 and 2023. 

"My most treasured award was the 2023 award because that trophy is called after the late Sean O Halloran, who was a very close friend of all the CCBOA members."

Behind any good man is usually a great woman, however, in Stewart’s case there are two great women in his life, supporting him. 

His wife Margaret has always by his side, supporting every decision he has made over the years. 

But his daughter Sarah is never far from his side.

She is so protective and loyal to him and is always with him.

She is now repaying him for all the support, love, and affection he has given both her brother Stephen and herself all throughout their lives.

“There is no way I could have given the time I have to basketball without the support of my family. 

"My wife Margaret, my daughter Sarah, and my son Stephen, have always understood the commitment that basketball requires and have supported me throughout the years.

“And now, on September 19, 2026, our family grew again when my son’s fiancée, Ciara Griffin, gave birth to my first grandson, Archie-Declan Joyce. 

"Becoming a grandfather is something I cannot properly put into words. 

"It is without question one of the greatest honours and happiest moments of my life.

“At the end of the day, basketball has given me so much, but it has also taught me something very important — family is everything.

“Awards, positions and achievements are all special, but the people you come home to and the memories you make with them are what really matter,” Joyce added.