This photography competition has been created by the Mary Peters Trust to commemorate the talented Hugh Russell who sadly passed in 2023. His career in the Irish News spanned 42 years with several trophies and awards and a library that documented life in Northern Ireland both good and bad. His incredible achievements in the boxing ring as an amateur included a Commonwealth Games Bronze medal and an Olympic Games Bronze.
Known as “Little Red”, Hugh turned professional in 1981 and won two British titles in bantamweight and flyweight. He was the first boxer to win a British title at both divisions in that order.
In October 1982 he defeated Davy Larmour at the Ulster Hall to win the Irish Bantamweight title. The fight was also a final eliminator for the British title.
An iconic image of Russell reaching through the ropes to kiss his mother, Eileen, after winning the fight, appears in photographer Brendan Murphy’s book Eyewitness.
In January 1983, he fought in the last 15-round British title fight, against reigning bantamweight champion John Feeney. The fight was stopped in the 13th round when the referee disqualified Feeney for persistent misuse of the head.
Russell retired in 1985 as undefeated British flyweight champion after securing a Lonsdale Belt.
A great friend and volunteer of the Trust we miss you
This photographic competition is for photographs of sport and there will be an amateur winner and a professional winner.
Entries must be the original work of the entrant.
Entrants must own the copyright to their submitted images.
If under 18 years of age please ask your parent/guardian to complete the form on your behalf.
The following individuals are excluded from participating in this competition: employees of IntoMedia Group, the Mary Peters Trust and ASG, their immediate families (spouses, children, parents, siblings, etc).
Entrants are responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions, such as those required for recognizable individuals or private property.
We require entrants to tick the release statement on the entry form or provide written consent for the use of their images.
Entrants grant the Trust permission to use the images for display at the Sport Inspires lunch 21 November 2025 in Europa Hotel and on the Trust website for the following twelve months and personal details may be used in media including the main supporter the Irish News.
Winners may be required to participate in publicity related to the Photography Competition which may include the publication of their name and photograph in any media. You agree that your personal data may be used for this purpose.
The Trust explicitly prohibit AI-generated or heavily AI-edited images.
Minor retouching or enhancement may be allowed, but the integrity of the original image should be maintained.
(a) PERMITTED
i. Unadjusted photography.
ii. Adjusted photography MUST BE REPORTED and clearly explained within the description, to include tool description and version and never misrepresent the reality of nature.
1. Tone and contrast, cropping, burning, sharpening, dodging, noise reduction, minor cleaning work.
(b) NOT PERMITTED
Any other computer manipulated and generated images, composite images, scientific illustrations, data visualizations, x-rays and CT scans.
Images must not be false-coloured.
The images submitted must be taken with a camera. Images generated by Artificial Intelligence cannot be considered. The use of Artificial Intelligence in manipulating photos is also disallowed. Rules regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence are subject to change at short notice and without notification.
The competition entries will be judged by a panel of judges all decisions are made at the sole discretion of the judging panel and their decision is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into. The Trust reserves the right to hold void, cancel, suspend or amend the promotion where is becomes necessary to do so.
The winner will be notified by email or telephone (using details provided at entry) and must provide a postal address and account information to claim their trophy.
Images should be compressed jpeg files no larger than 5MB.
Watermarks, borders, and signatures may be prohibited.
Entries must be submitted by deadline 5.00pm on Friday 31 October 2025, link to the entry page on the Mary Peters Trust website.
Each entry is asked to make a of £10 donation for each image submitted to the Mary Peters Trust, BASCS transfer or cheque.
BACS – Danske Bank, The Mary Peters Trust, Sort Code 950611, Acc No 30063231
Or post a cheque to –
Mary Peters Trust, Athletics House, Old Coach Road, Belfast, BT9 5PR.
The Mary Peters will not accept:
(a) responsibility for entries that are lost, mislaid, damaged or delayed in transit, regardless of cause, including, for example, as a result of any equipment failure, technical malfunction, systems, satellite, network, server, computer hardware or software failure of any kind; or
(b) proof of transmission as proof of receipt of entry to the Photography Competition
By submitting an entry, you are agreeing to be bound by these terms and conditions.
The Mary Peters Trust reserves the right to refuse entry or refuse to award the prize to anyone in breach of these terms and conditions.
No more than 5-10 entries per person are permitted to each category.
Date restriction ie, taken within the last 24 months to 1 January to 31 October 2025.
In entering this Photography Competition, you confirm that you are eligible to do so and eligible to claim any prize you may win. The Mary Peters Trust may require you to provide proof that you are eligible to enter the Photography Competition.
The Mary Peters Trust reserves all rights to disqualify you if your conduct is contrary to the spirit or intention of the Photography Competition.
Images should be compressed jpeg files no larger than 5MB.
The Mary Peters Trust supports and celebrates the next generation of sporting talent.
Empowering Young Athletes Across Northern Ireland
The Mary Peters Trust supports and celebrates the next generation of sporting talent.