It is with great sadness that Volleyball England announces that Dr. Don Anthony MBE, the founder of Volleyball in Great Britain, has passed away this afternoon.
Dr. Anthony founded the Amateur Volleyball Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (AVA) in 1955, having been introduced to the game while training with foreign hammer throwers during his national service days in Cyprus.
He joined Manchester University as an Assistant Lecturer and for research purposes, he decided he would found a national association for an international game. He chose volleyball and in late 1954, he placed a letter in the Manchester Guardian calling for the establishment of the AVA. He was involved in volleyball ever since in one capacity or another and was Volleyball England’s Honorary Life President. In 2011, he was awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to sport.
Volleyball England President Richard Callicott commented, “This is desperately sad news, the world has lost a great man and wonderful inspiration to so many of us.”
Scottish Volleyball and the volleyball community send our thoughts and condolences to Dr. Don Anthony’s family at this very sad time.
Dr Anthony’s cremation will take place on Thursday 7th June at 10:30am. The address is:
Beckenham Crematorium
Elmers End Road
Beckenham
BR3 4TD
02086500322
It is a short walk from Birkbeck Station & Tramlink. Flowers should be sent by 8am on the 7th June or the day before to Uden & Sons, 64 High Street, Sidcup, Kent DA14 6DS (TEL: 0208 300 2002).