I first became involved in disability sport in 1975 and in that same year I met Liz Dendy OBE MBE from the Sports Council for the first time. Liz was a close friend of Mary Urquhart, the Director of Leisure and Recreation in Fife. Each was a formidable woman, and both were fully committed to physical activity, PE, sport, and active recreation for participants with disabilities. Each of these outstanding women had a major influence on my professional and voluntary organisation career and I owe them so much.
Liz celebrated her 90th birthday earlier this year but last Friday had a heart attack and was admitted to Hammersmith Hospital where she died on Saturday night. Our thoughts are with Liz’s friends and family who have lost a much-loved exceptional individual.
Liz was an incredible visionary locally, nationally, and internationally. Much of what we all experienced and enjoyed throughout the 80s, 90s and beyond was influenced by Liz Dendy in her Sports Council role. She inspired so many of us and shaped so much of what we now enjoy in Para sport and active recreation throughout the UK.
Liz introduced me to Kay Evans, the Disabled Living Foundation Physical Recreation Panel and I travelled to London for many years to learn from Liz and others. We cooperated on ground-breaking filming projects north of the border and Liz offered me the opportunity to contribute to major UK reports. Liz arranged for me to present a paper at the Council of Europe and encouraged me to join the CPISRA sports technical committee.
In my view Liz was the most influential and professional President of CPISRA, the international body for sport for athletes with cerebral palsy. I travelled with her to Papendal in the Netherlands on many occasions. When she left the CPISRA Executive Committee she took her many skills and experience to the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and similarly influenced that great organisation for several years. An exceptional woman with amazing skills in governance, leadership, sports development, and diplomacy in particular.
I am not sure if I would have been involved in disability sport at national and international level for over 44 years if I had not met Liz Dendy. Firstly Liz believed I had something to offer and secondly she created many opportunities for me to be involved in disability sport at different levels. Liz opened doors and influenced and advised me throughout the many years we worked together.
“Building on Ability” was the most significant UK report of the 80s and Liz was a key contributor and influence. Liz believed passionately in the Four Home Nations working together and helped to shape the structures that we all enjoy at the present time. Liz was the Sports Council officer who raised the profile of disability sport throughout the UK and beyond. During the International Year of Disabled People in 1981, Liz was the single individual who believed the Four Home Nations could bring about change and we did.
A remarkable British lady whose influence on the development of disability sport nationally and internationally is immeasurable. CPISRA and sport for participants with cerebral palsy would not have progressed as it did in the 70s and 80s without the passion, commitment and expertise of Liz Dendy.
Richard Brickley OBE MBE – Chairman Disability Sport Fife Board of Charity Trustees