A former chair of the Central Council of Physical Recreation (the previous name of the Alliance), from 1997-2001, and a Vice-President since 2003 David has played an influential role in the organisation’s history.
Reflecting on David’s service to the Alliance, current Chair, Dame Janet Beer said: “David was an integral member of the Alliance team for over 25 years, particularly during his time as Chair working alongside HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to put our new governance structure into place during the late 1990s.
“He worked very closely with a number of our Vice-Presidents including Margaret Peggie, Peter Thomas, Robert Pettigrew, and Hilary Weedon throughout his leadership.
“In his final report published in 2000/01, David stated: ‘I firmly believe that the CCPR is back where it belongs and where British Sport deserves to be - a truly independent representative body serving, reporting, informing, facilitating and campaigning on behalf of our members.’
“This embodies everything the Alliance continues to stand for and the foundations established by David, allows us to protect and grow this legacy. Our heartfelt condolences are with David’s family and friends at this time.”
In 1989, he was appointed OBE for services to sport, which was subsequently upgraded to CBE in the New Year’s Honours List of 2002. He also held three different positions within the Rugby Football League at various times – chief executive, president and secretary.
David started his career at Merchant Taylors’ School Northwood for four years, then moved on to St Edward’s School Oxford. He was Head of English at St Peter’s School York from 1969-1972, then held the post of Deputy Headmaster at Duke of York’s Royal Military School, Dover from 1972-1976.
His significant involvement in the sport and recreation sector stretched across a number of organisations for many years – David’s roles included: Member of English Sports Council; Member of Lottery Sports Fund Award Panel; President of the Federation of Disability Sports Organisation (Yorkshire and Humberside); Governor of the Sports Aid Foundation (Yorkshire and Humberside); Chairman of the Student Rugby League plc; Chairman of the Management Committee of Holme Pierre Pont National Water Sports Centre; Vice President of the English Schools Rugby League; Member of the Fellows Board of the British Institute of Sports Administrators; Life Member of the Great Britain, French and Papua New Guinea Rugby Football Leagues.
As 2024 concludes and as we look ahead to 2025, the Alliance has published a message to members and partners.
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