Stuart Ryan - a tribute

23/5/2025

NEMAA were saddened to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of Stuart Ryan in Taipei. Stuart for the last ten years has been one of the region's leading master's throwers, particularly specialising in the Shot Putt, but equally successful in all throwing disciplines. He had travelled to Taiwan with his wife Debbie to compete in the 2025 World Masters Games, where he was a strong favourite to win the M60 Shot Putt. Shortly after arrival earlier this week, Stuart became very unwell.

Stuart was dedicated to competing in Masters competitions. He was enthusiastic, popular and held in great respect by his fellow athletes. Inspired by his father Hugh, Stuart became involved in Masters Athletics when he turned 50 and was coached by Tony Livingstone. Not long after, Stuart turned to coaching and Tony described him as his right-hand man, assisting him in coaching many youngsters.

The following shows his undoubted talent and successes:

Ranked nationally in the 1st 3 in his age category for the last ten years.
17 NEMAA Record/Best Performances in various sections.
47 NEMAA Championship (including NECAA) medals, 39 in first place.
Showing his support to his Scottish roots, 31 Scottish Masters Championship medals, 25 in first place.
34 BMAF Championship medals, 10 in first place.
2023 1st European Masters Games Shot Putt, 1st Discus, 2nd Hammer.

His father Hugh was proud of all his achievements, and Stuart likewise would have been delighted when Hugh recently going into the M90 category, broke the BMAF M90 Javelin and Hammer records earlier this week. NEMAA send their most sincere condolences to Debbie and all of Stuart`s relatives, friends, fellow athletes and training group at this so sad and difficult time.

15 Comments

Paul Corrigan

23/5/2025 05:09:10 pm

Rest in Peace Stuart. I can’t believe this sad news, we’d thrown against each other since the 80’s ! Condolences to his family at this sad time.

Lianne Slater

23/5/2025 05:18:50 pm

The best right hand man to Tony and nit only my coach but my friend and training partner. I am broken to hear this news as are all of us from your training group. Training will never be the same without you, you are the most caring, wonderful man I think I have ever known. You never say a bad word about anyone and your parents and family are so proud of you. Thinking of all your loved ones at this very difficult time

Stephen Forster

23/5/2025 05:34:21 pm

It was such a shock when I heard this. He will be a big miss. Such a lovely fella, who was encouraging and supportive at training. A great competitor.
My condolences to all his family at this difficult time.

Nic Terry

23/5/2025 07:17:21 pm

RIP Stuart. You always were full of stories and advice for anyone who needed it. Wonderful sense of humour. My thoughts are with all your family and friends at this very difficult time x

Pam and Phil Gardiner

23/5/2025 08:45:55 pm

So shocked and sad to hear of Stu's passing. A great training partner and friend of Pam. I had many a good chat with him, swopping stories. Such a nice guy, and willing to help anyone involved in the sport. He will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences to his family.

Colin plews

24/5/2025 06:58:45 am

Absolutely devastating news
Stuart such a lovely guy with so much talent .
Just spoke to Hugh last week about him .
My thoughts with his family and friends
RIP Stuart

Craig Sturrock

24/5/2025 09:13:55 am

Having had the pleasure of training with Stuart for many years we shared some great times, exchanged training ideas and a positive person to have around training environment. It came as a shock to hear of the news this week. Stuart provided advice and guidance to all that embraced track & field and was an asset to Coaching and helping Tony with sessions. Stuart will be massively missed by all, Condolences to the family.

Claire Cameron

24/5/2025 09:48:58 am

So shocked and saddened to hear of Stuarts passing.
On behalf of Scottish Masters athletes I send our deepest condolences to Stuarts family and friends. Stuart was always such a positive person to have around and would readily give advice to other athletes.

John Twiddle

26/5/2025 11:22:30 am

RIP Stuart. Sad to lose a great athlete and a lovely fellow. Such a shock to hear of his passing. Will miss seeing him around. Thinking of Hugh at this difficult time. Condolences to all his family and friends

Eric Smart

27/5/2025 03:38:48 am

So sad to learn the passing of Stuart Ryan.
Our paths crossed during my late running career and found Stuart to be a very nice warm friendly person with a positive attitude.
He along with his dad Hugh I used to follow their sporting successes at National and local completions.
I would like to express my sincere condolences to Hugh and immediate family and friends.
RIP Stuart you will be greatly missed and missed flying the flag for the North East in Major competitions.

Lee Hetherington

28/5/2025 06:47:18 am

My thoughts are with Stuart's family at this most difficult time.
Stuart was such an inspirational man, showing a lot of us how it should be done. It was always brilliant to watch him in action and then how he would modestly brush off his seemingly superhuman feats.
An absolutely lovely gent to talk and laugh along with. RIP Stuart and thank you.

Sheila Ryan

28/5/2025 08:33:25 pm

I’m Sheila, Stuart’s mum. He was my precious loving son. I just cannot believe that someone so fit & able to compete in the Masters World Athletics Championships is no more.
He was such a kind thoughtful & caring person, always ready to help his mum & dad & many others. He achieved so much in life, his career, his athletics & his coaching & yet, he was such a modest person.

My memories of Stuart are so precious. I love him dearly. He was a wonderful son.

Michael McNally

1/6/2025 09:20:08 am

Such a shock to hear this awful news.
A super athlete and lovely man who gave me some valuable guidance in the Javelin.
It was always a pleasure to admire his great ability and skill.
Seeing him competing alongside his dad Hugh in the NEMAA Grand Prix was truly inspiring.
Deepest sympathy to all family and loved ones.

Ian Humphries

11/6/2025 03:16:41 pm

Stuart was always there to advise and help fellow competitors to improve their performance and keep up the moral of those who were not performing as they had hoped to.
My wife and I had the pleasure of spending time with Hugh, Stuart and Debbie, staying in the same hotel, while competing in last season's Scottish Masters Championships. We therefore pass on our sincere condolences to Debbie, Hugh, Sheila and all of the Ryan family.

Ron Todd

16/6/2025 09:59:33 pm

Devastated to hear of Stu's passing.
I first met him back in 1979, at the Scottish Youth (U17) pentathlon, and we were friends from the start.
When we started in Masters, old rivalries and friendships were immediately rekindled.
Honestly one of my favourite people to see at the National-level meetings, and NEMAA throws, along with his ever-enthusiastic dad, Hugh.
Love to the Ryan family, and all Stu's friends in sport.

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