Commodore David Pond, the former Chief Executive of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) and Loughborough alumnus, has been awarded an honorary degree by the University.
The award – in recognition of his outstanding contribution to sport – was presented at the University’s summer degree ceremony on Wednesday 20 July.
David joined GBWR in 2009 and over the next 12 years transformed the sport from a voluntary-led and delivered recreational activity, to a professional national governing body, with a ParalympicsGB team that took Gold during the Tokyo 2020 games – the first-ever wheelchair rugby Paralympic medal achieved by a European team, and the first gold medal for Great Britain in a team sport in the history of the paralympic games.
During his tenure, David developed significant partnerships to support wheelchair rugby, including here at Loughborough, with the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport. The facility has played a key role in the sport from the outset by using research to enhance the performance and well-being of the players. David acknowledges the role of the Centre in the sport’s Paralympic medal win in Tokyo, crediting them with really understanding the science of the sport and its athletes, and helping them to use this information for performance benefit.
David stepped down from his position at GBWR in September 2021 and has since been involved in supporting the humanitarian effort in Ukraine. He travelled to Poland and then Ukraine in early March to help deliver critical supplies to those caught up in the conflict. Whilst there, David and his associates raised over £65,000 that was used to purchase four ambulances and life-saving medical equipment, medicines and supplies.
Now back in the UK, David continues to support the cause working as Director of Ukraine First, a group of NGOs working with the Ukraine resistance movement to provide medical, humanitarian and protective aid.
Prior to joining GBWR, David enjoyed a 28-year career in the Royal Navy, rising through the ranks from Executive Officer to Captain and then Commodore, in roles that took him across the world, including in 2001 when he was appointed Head of Personnel at NATO Headquarters in Belgium, where he was responsible for crisis operations including NATO activities in Bosnia and Kosovo.
Speaking of his time at Loughborough, David said:
“My experience at Loughborough was fundamental to the person I have become. It taught me how to study and enjoy learning and most importantly modelled and encouraged strong values and standards. Loughborough was truly life-changing for me and I will always be enormously grateful for the opportunities it afforded me.”
Speaking of his thankfulness to all the individuals who have encouraged and guided him over the years, David also commented:
“Whilst I am fortunate to have received this award, I owe much to those who have mentored and supported me over the years and especially those tutors and coaches at Loughborough University and during my long career in the Royal Navy where I was also Chairman of Royal Navy and Combined Services Rugby.”
