|
Home
> WHU News Room >
15 September 2005
CERI O'DONNELL MBE
Headline
News story
continued from 'home' page...
It is with very deep sadness that I have to
advise you that Ceri passed away on Sunday afternoon (25th
September).
Ceri had been ill for a little time and she will
be sadly missed by all her friends and more importantly family
to whom our thoughts go.
Ceri was respected world wide for her
contribution to the sport she loved so much and was a constant
driving force behind a number of development initiatives to
increase the growth of hockey at all levels. Having played for
Wales on numerous occasions she was also totally dedicated in
trying to improve Wales’ position and fortunes. As Captain,
Coach, International Umpire and Judge, Selector, member of the
IFWHA (forerunner to the FIH) Executive and EHF Executive to
name but a few of her achievements, it was no surprise that she
was awarded the MBE for services to hockey in 1984, as well as
the Queen’s Silver Jubilee medal.
One of Ceri’s proudest moments must have been
during her Presidency of the WWHA (1972-1988) when prior to the
annual international against England in 1981 she accompanied Her
Majesty the Queen in the drive around the Wembley pitch, the
first time that Her Majesty had ever attended such a match.
She kept the Welsh flag flying wherever she went
with her receiving appointments to both the Olympics as a Judge
in 1988 and again in 1990 when she officiated at the World Cup
held in Australia.
Ceri was also a member of the Sports Council for
Wales (SCW) for 14 years and until recently was also Chair of
the Conwy Community Chest Panel and in recognition of her
sterling work was awarded the SCW’s Gold Medal.
Ceri was also heavily involved at a local level
having held the post of President of North Wales Women’s
Regional Committee for a number of years and was actively
involved in coaching umpires both locally, regionally and
nationally. The Colwyn Bay Club also gained the benefit of her
love for the sport with her acting as President for a number of
years. This resulted in her being awarded Life Membership of the
club, with Life membership also obtained from the Welsh Hockey
Union and Welsh Hockey Umpires Association.
She was always one to let you know exactly what
she thought but was also very willing to listen to other points
of view. She is a great loss to hockey not only throughout Wales
but also the whole hockey world.
The funeral will be held on Monday 3rd October at
12:00 at St. John’s Methodist Church, Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay
with the burial at Bronynant Cemetary in Old Colwyn. Family
flowers only have been requested but donations in lieu in favour
of St. David’s Hospice should be sent c/o T Conchar & Son,
Funeral Directors, 4 Woodland Road West, Colwyn Bay. Letters of
condolence should be sent to Mr & Mrs S Pipe, Meadow Rise,
Willington Lane, Clotton, Nr Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 0HQ
[ends]
For information regarding the Welsh Hockey Union,
please contact
Chris Brewer on 029 2057 3945 or 07976 982092
Please note: Information published in news
stories was correct at the time of publication. Information,
circumstances and data may have chance since.
Back to top of page |
Back to NEWS ROOM |
