Bruce Ullrich

Noel Bruce Ullrich (born 23 June 1938) is a New Zealand accountant and sports administrator.

Early life and family Ullrich was born on 23 June 1938 in New Plymouth, to August and Daisy Winifred Ullrich . He started his education at Westend Primary School in New Plymouth before continuing at Shirley Primary School in Christchurch. He then attended Shirley Intermediate and Christchurch Boys' High School.

In March 1961, Ullrich's engagement to Jeannette Axelsen was announced, and the couple married the following year. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Canterbury in 1965. A versatile sportsman, he represented the university at rugby union, squash, tennis, and cricket.

Sports administration Ullrich has gained prominence through sports administration. He was vice-chairman of the organising committee for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games held in Christchurch. He was team manager of the New Zealand team at the 1982 and 1986 Commonwealth Games, and the chef de mission for the New Zealand team at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He also served as vice-president of the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association. and chaired the promotion committee for a bid in 2002.

Ullrich holds a fascination for China and has travelled there nearly 40 times. He is patron of the Rewi Alley Foundation, with the foundation focussing on the friendship between New Zealand and China. Ullrich gave a speech at the 2025 conference of the New Zealand China Friendship Society.

Honours and awards In the 1987 New Year Honours, Ullrich was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for services to sport. Christchurch Boys' High School, where he had been a student, bestowed its Medal on him in 2025.

Later life Ullrich's wife, Jeannette, died in 2020. In November 2023, he published his autobiography that he called My Arena.