Welsh Hockey Union: It is with very deep sadness that the Welsh Hockey Union advises of the passing of Ceri O’Donnell MBE.
Ceri had been ill for a little time and passed away on Sunday 25 September. 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
As Captain, Coach, International Umpire and Judge, Selector, member of the IFWHA (forerunner to the
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
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
Welsh Hockey
