Derek J Hayward

At College, he was particularly attracted to Athletics and Cross-Country and, during his final year as Secretary of the Athletics Club, was particularly proud of his achievement in securing and organising the first ‘ground breaking competition between º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Colleges and the A.A.A. This organisational success established the meeting as the annual event which has continued to this day. As the instigating administrator, Derek was disappointed not to have been included in the 50^th anniversary celebrations in 2009.

From College he was accept as Head of P.E. at Ilford County High School for Boys building a successful department which, together with numerous sporting successes provided the stimulus for him to remain there for the next ten years.

Beyond his ‘domestic’ activity, he was elected as a Team Manager for the Essex Schools Athletic Association and, in 1962, took on a major role when Essex hosted the National Schools Championships.

In 1970 he was appointed  P.E. Organiser for Shropshire and he settled to developing this role but, to an increasing extent became involved in schools activities in the National sphere.

With a colleague he worked as National Schools Track & Field Athletics co-organiser until 1974.

In 1988, with a colleague who later became his wife, he promoted and organised a new championship, the Combined Events for English Schools, an enterprise which he continued over the next 17 years, encouraging such competitors as Denise Lewis, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Katarina Johnson Thompson in the process.

Also in 1988 the process of introducing a National Curriculum and new philosophies in State Education had come to a head with a resulting diminution of P.E. as a subject in the school timetable. This also meant that the role of P.E. Organisers was redefined. Derek became “ Director for the Office of Recreational Services and Countryside (including Footpaths) in Shropshire !

Typically, Derek recognised new challenges of his changed circumstances and was able to visualise the opportunities offered by his new role. He could also find more time for his other interests, which he had developed during his years in Shropshire and were to occupy him throughout the rest of his life.

He initiated an annual National Development Walk event, together with the National School’s Walking Championships (which celebrated its 30^th event in 2021.)

He was instrumental in re-establishing the ailing National English Schools Track & Field Championships on a County basis and, in 1994 he was able to place his County firmly on the map when the Championship fell to Shropshire. Derek was largely responsible for the organisation of this event and, in his administration and attention to detail, set a prototype pattern for other Counties to follow and ensured the future of the Championships.

Shortly after the Championships in 1994 he ‘Officially Retired’ but this only heralded a continuation of ALL his extra mural activities … and more… if anything he became more busy!

Earlier in the 1990s he had organised funding for the development of a new athletics stadium in Shrewsbury. This he continued with the provision of jumping pits and throwing circles so that, by the end of the decade the stadium had achieved full National Standard.

In recognition of this work was elected President of Shrewsbury Athletic Club.

Following on this he was appointed President of Shropshire County Athletics Association... and also Shropshire Schools Athletics Association.

In 1997, he was responsible for organising the English Schools Cross-Country Championship in Oswestry.

He also performed other duties as Chairman of the Shropshire Playing Fields Association and also the role of Chairman of the Shropshire Schools Swimming Association.

In August 2013 a diagnosis of Leukaemia resulted in an extended treatment of Chemotherapy and he

suffered a 2 year period of serious ill-health before achieving a slow and tenuous recovery.

He was awarded an MBE in 2015 : “For Services for Young People in Sport In Shropshire.”

His family accompanied him to Buckingham Palace for his award ceremony from HM The Queen.

Now recovered, Derek continued working and was at his computer on the evening of 29^th September, when he fell and struck his head.

Taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital he suffered a brain haemorrhage where he died a week later.

There was wide response to his death from many parts of the Country which recognised him for his organisational skills, his attention to detail, his willingness to offer help and for his friendly and happy manner.

“His contribution to English Schools Athletics Association is immeasurable and can never be underestimated.

He was a true ambassador for sport and a credit to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ.