As anticipated in the 2022 ‘End of Year’ message, we can confirm that David Hadfield OBE, President, World Boccia, has now retired.
David, who has been President for the past ten years, has been widely recognised for his vision, and leadership to establish World Boccia as a highly respected and effective International Sports Federation.
During this period boccia has thrived, becoming the fastest growing paralympic sport with 73 countries now in membership. In 2023, World Boccia will deliver it’s most ambitious competition programme to date with 15 international events, including for the first time a World Boccia Youth Championships.
In the Queen’s Honours List in 2022 David was awarded the honour of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to sport.
In his final address to the Board of World Boccia David commented:
“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to serve as World Boccia’s President for the past ten years. From humble beginnings, boccia is now recognised as an important sport in the Paralympic programme with more opportunities than ever for athletes with the most severe impairments. Boccia really is becoming ‘THE sport for everyone.’ My warmest thanks to all of you who have helped make boccia what it is today. I have met so many amazing people and have made many friends on this journey. We could not have done it without you, and I am grateful to you all. As I pass the baton on, I know our sport is in excellent hands and will continue to go from strength to strength. I hope to be able to see many of you at a competition very soon.”
In accordance with the Articles of World Boccia Jon Morgan OBE will now take on the role of Interim President until the next General Assembly scheduled to take place in October 2023.
Speaking on behalf of the Board of World Boccia Morgan said
‘’It is difficult to put into words the respect and admiration that is universally held for David. He has been an inspirational leader at the forefront of our sport for the past decade and must take credit for its development, growth, and success. World Boccia owes David a huge debt of gratitude and it now remains our collective responsibility to ensure that we continue to build on his legacy of boccia being the sport for everyone.
We wish David and his family the very best and look forward to welcoming him to future events as a dear friend and colleague’’.
